The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-07-31

thousand people. Such scene of life and
animation. especially during the Iilden
episode has seldom been seen within the
Academic walls. From the far away
upper tier of seats on the top gallery 10
the remote end of che stage there was
nothing but an agitated sea OF human faces
vastly more full of expression and emotion
than IL sitting as spectators OF the most
thrilling meiodrama.
l. Irving Hall, across the way from the
ACADEMY, was also filed out to the en-
trance doors, and the same might be said
of Nilsson Hall, 10 Fifteenth street, in the
rear of the Academy. where the enthusi.
astie German admirers of Hancock shout
ed themselves hoafse for their favorite
candidate for president. On the north
west corner of Fourteenth street and lrv-
ing place was a stout, capaeious stand for
the outdoor speakers. Or the southeast
corner of Irving place and Fifteenth street
vas similar stand. and still another was
erected in Fifteenth street. facing the
entrance to Nilsson Hall. Throughout
the evening these stands were manned by
able and vigorous speakers and had clust-
eriBg audiences of Democrats, pun beripe
from one to three thousand. Fireworks
were let off on the wide thorougafare of
Fourteenth street. Chinese lanterns of a
large design were suspended on wires
across from Irving Hall to the Academy
Of Music, and from theace over Fourteenth
reetitocan opposite beer garden. Caleb
Hmlights blaZed from half dozen corners,
and five bands of music filled the air with
melody and made the weIkin ring.
THE DOORS THROWN OPEN.
1t was few minutes after seven O'Clock
Il e 4
thrown open, and at that time Thousand
people were waiting outside. In exactly
twenty minutes every seat in the ample
interior of the building, which is capable
of seating about five thousand auditors,
was filled. and it was done SO easily and
quietly as to astouish the veteran police
men Oh duty. 1t may be mentioned by
the way,that. though there were over $50
policemen under Captain ClInohy on duty,
there was no provocatiou for the services
of even half dozen. The boxes and gal
leries of the Academy were drsped and
festooned with flags and streamers, and
eight fanciful shields decorated the front
of the upper gallery. Over the back of
the stage two large hkenesses of the dem
ocratic candidates were suspended, and
underneath was inscribed. Nothing can
intimidate me from doing what I believe
to be honest and RICH" w. s. Hancock.
ga pure, economical constitutional gov
eminent that will protect the liberty aud
property of the people. that the democracy
propose to stand by."-Wm. Il. English
A large number eff ladies were noticed
among the audience. and the way they
waved their perfumed handkerchiefs at
every mention of Tilden or Hancock
showed that their hearts were securely an
chored ia the democracy.
On the stage of the Academy were q
host of prominent democrats too numerous
to mention. General Hancock's box, to
the right of the stage. was occupied by
General w. f. Smith. president of the
Hancock Veterans Association, accompa-
MED by his staff. General James McQuade,
Colonel Wheeler. Major P. NJ. Raverty.
and DR.. Mitchell. Prominent on the
stage were Mayor Cooper. Speaker Ran
dali. Henry A. Tllden, Charles A. Dana,
Randolph Tu@ker, ex Governor Gilbert
Walker Wiibon G. Hunt. Smith Ely.
Frederick A Conking. William A. Beach
Samuel D. Babcock and others. De
THE SCENE or THE EVENING.
The great event of the evening was the
coming in of ex Governor Samuai J. Til
den, His appearance was looked forward
tn with tho most intense interest Women