The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-06-26
RATIFIED,
Large ana Enthusiastic Hancock and English
Meeting on Thursday Night.

| 1t was common remark around the the bulle-
tin boards showing dispatches from Cincinnati
that 'the Democrats don't seem to be much in
terested in this convention" True, the Demo
Gratis, though having reputation for noise, did
take the matter quietly compared with their
friends on the other side. They made little noise
Thursday morning when baloting was to begin,
but they felt deeply all the same.
When the nomination OF Hancock came every
BODY said "Goopw When the ticket was CON-
pleted they yelled 'GOOD!n' Then they began
to enthuse and the more they thought of the RI
val tickets the more enthusiastic they became.
Old wheel horses and members of the party de-
clared they never saw the Democracy so intense
" elated over nomination in their lives, and ev-
erywhere was heard the remark: "The best tick
we've had for 20 years.
The nomination Of Hancock at noon was hard
~ made until the cannon began to salute TO the
name, and its noise heard at intervals for the
rest of the day.
But in the evening the "hurrah" began in earn
est Then men had time to meet together, shake
on the ticket" and congratulate each other on
the fact that the convention proved themselves
wise men. At dusk the bands appeared and al
ter paradng the streets, settled down in the
Court House square, which their music soon
filed with people. Later on rockets began TO
ascend the festive crackers roared in the barrel,
the giant cracker screamed and bon-ires blazed,
lighting up the streets for blocks around.
The square in front of the Court House steps
was filled with people; and about $50 the meet
ing was called to order by l.. w Brewer, when
A. b. Smith, Esq, was made chairman. Inc
first speaker who addressed the crowd was the
HON. ]. D. CATION,
who was greeted with great applause and spoke
ar follows:
My FRIENDS AND NEIGHBoRs:-You that have
lived here longest will perhaps observe that
don't step upon this platform as actively as ala
40 wears ago, still it affords me pleasure 10 meet
my friends and neighbors and consult together
as IL is appropriate We should do when our ihu-
tual interests are involved, and [ come here,
therefore, simply for that purpose this evening
at the invitation Of some friends to express 10
YOU 10Y opinion of the Democratic nominations
which have been named at Cincinnati to-day. APP
plause You all know that am no poiitlciaS
or never ran for political office in my NE ana
some would say thatI am no Democrat Tor new
er would vote for a mean man because Ne was
nominated by Democratic convention ana l
never will so long as | retain my senses. lureat
applause Within a few hours we have been
advised of the nominations which have been made
at Cincinnati. say with great satisfaction that
no nominations could have been made which
would have been more acceptable to me. Great ,
applause | think the candidate for PresideB9
perhaps the best that could have bren selected
throughout the United States. He is a msn
whom have always admired; he is man who
has felt deep interest and a deep devotion in
the welfare Of his country. He is man who has
manifested his love of the Union OF the Unitea
States with as much fervor, with SIS much devo