The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-11-29
The Macnmh Inllificatinn.

The Macomb Eagle comes to us this
week filled TO the brim with an interests
ing account Of the great mass meeting
and barbecue held there last week in
honor of the election of Cleveland and
Hendricks, and also the Hon. W. II.
Neece, who received the lions share of
the honors. In the course of its lengthy
remarks, the Eagle says;
On the speakers stand we noticed the
following.-R Father Ryan. Macomb;
Rev. Riley, Good Hope; Rev. J. Beatty,
OF Nashville; Hon. NJ NJ Corbett, Hon.
August Hucsing and Mayor Mott. of
Rock Island; c. II. Morrill, and Dr. Ellis,
Augusta Judge j. c. Thompson, Quincy;
Hon. John II. Hungate, La Harpe: Dr.
VIM. BOoz, Hancock county, and Hon,
W. II. Niece, Macomb.
One of the most effective trans
parencics in the parade was
representation of the now celebrate
ed Rock Island bridge. Over one end ap-
peared Congressman>elect Bill Neece, who
had walked safely across and was making
tracks toward the capitol which appeared
in the distance. On the other bank stood
Petrie, the bridge being broken between
them, shaking his fist in impotent rage,
and feelingly exclaiming, On the
bridgeI'
In regard to the presentation of the
elegant silk banner by the ladies of
Rushville to Mr.. Neece, the report adds:
The chairman then introduced Hon
John Beatty, of Rushville, who desired to
make few remarks on behalf of the
Young Ladies Cleveland and Hendricks
Club of Rushville. The extraordinary
movements around the stand did not
seem to throw any light on what was to
follow, and Mr.. NeeCe was entirely igno-
rant Of this important part of the pro-
gramme. His face seemed to assume
look of wonder, and it was some little
time before he could comprehend the
meaning of the unusual proceedings. Mr..
Beatty, stepping to the front of the plat
form, the banner was handed to him, the
covering removed and addressing Mr.
Neece that gentleman remained seated
until the banner fairly glistened in his
face, when he rose and stood in front of
Mr.. Beatty. Mr. Beatty's speech was
highly appropriate to the happy occasion;
he said :he people of Schuyler county felt
great pride in the glorious record of
their congressman; that the older citi>
zens of Rushville and of Schuyler county
remembered when Honest Bill Neece
was a. poor boy in their county striv-
ing to support himself by hard labor and
that they all felt proud of the grand sue
cess that has crowned his efforts. The
speaker said that on behalf of the Young
Ladies Cleveland and Hendricks club of
Rushville. he desired to present to him
MIR. Neece) this banner as emblematic of
the high regard and confidence they re,
pose in you, and may you always remem-
Der that your friends in Schuyler will al
ways be true to you.
Mr.. Beatty's speech, as well as the ban
ner, was complete surprise to Mr.. Niece.
The situation was one which required a
prompt reply, and Mr.. Niece was certain
ly equal to the emergency In accepting
the banner Mr.. Neece eloquently referred
to the pioneer days when he was boy in
Schuyler county, when he engaged clear
ing timber in that county, and of the
many old citizens who were among his
best friends today The eloquent and APP
propriate speech of Mr.. Niece seemed to
strike deep into the hearts of his hearers,
and for time there was hardly dry eye
in that vast audience