Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1880-10-27
CONVENTION IN BUTLER.
Great Outpouring of Republicans
Ten Thousand People Estimated
to be in Town.
Three Thousand Voters Supposed
to be in the Day Procession
Thirteen Hundred in Torch
light Parade at Night.

Last Friday is admitted on all hands
to have been the greatest day ever wit
messed in Butler. The unfavorable ap-
pearance of the weather did not keep
the people back-though the cloudy
morning doubtless prevented many
more from coming Every township
and town in the county was represent
ed in some form or other From many,
large delegations came in wagons, with
banners, mottos, glee clubs, etc.-sev-
eral delegations came on horseback.
The procession, when fully formed,
was supposed to be 2 miles in length.
When it broke up, about two O'Clock,
every alley and stable in the town was
crowded with horses, carriages or
wagons. The scenes and incidents
would be almost Undesirable, and we
cannot particularize when all were 80
deserving of praise. An oil derrick
was in the procession in operation !;
and number of them "same old
coons," caught and brought in for the
occasion. Many good devices about
the tariff and the late rebellion were
also to be seen.
After the people had some refresh
ments meeting was organized in front
of the Court House, with Hon. John
N. Purviance as Chairman and repor-
ters of the press as Secretaries. Owing
to the rain coming on it had to adjourn
into the Court House Addresses were
then made by S. H. Miller, Esq, Re-
publican candidate for Congress, and
Col John NJ Thompson. The speech
of Mr.. Miller was able and eloquent
and much commended by all who
heard it.
TORCHLIGHT DISPLAY.
But the great feature Of the occasion
was the torchlight display and parade
at night, which the people generally re-
NAMED in the town to witness. March
ing clubs, with their bands of martial
or instrumental music, came from Par
ker, Martinsburg, Petrolia, Millers-
town, Prospect, Portersville, Harris
vile, Freeport, Buffalo township, and
other places. Mounted companies
came from Petersville and form Penn,
Washington and Concord townships
These, with the two Butler clubs, when
all were formed into line, made pro-
cess on that filled both sides of Main
street in passing up and down the
same. The best of order was preserv-
ed and all kept step to the music in
admirable style. In addition to this
music was that given by young ladies
in front of the Court House and in vari-
GUS places in the town, who sang their
campaign and patriotic songs with
much effect. The young ladies from
Middlesex township came in a large
decorated conveyance, fitted up for the
occasion, and sang in the same, at
tracing the attention of all. But it
would be impossible to partcularize-
suffice it to say it was grand and in
teresting occasion, and one that will be
long remembered. The Republicans of
the county seemed to have been hold
ing themselves up for the event and
the greatest enthusiasm prevailed as
well as patience endured. Not a sin
gle accident happened as we have
heard of, although many had to reach
their homes in rather dark night.
We congratulate all that the Mass
Convention in Butler, October 22d,
1880, was such a success. To be sure
there were some features that might
well have been omitted, such as the
fantastic parts, which detracted rather
than added to the procession. The en-
thusiasm of the people this campaign
surpasses that of all previous, and all
should hope, that whatever may be the
result of the Presidential struggle, all
will endure for the better to our great
and common country.