Year: 1860




ing of hearty sympathy and honor to thos,


two distinguished gentlemen, such as must
long live in their remembrance, and such as
evihced in an emphatic manner the estima.
ton in which they are held by their fellow
citizens


Mr.. Riddles residence was first visited
The Wide Awakes, headed by the Heeker
Band, turned out about one hundred and
seventy strong, and marched to his house
upon Forest street, throughout all the long
route preserving an order that did credit to
their commanders, and attracted universal
attention from the people along the line Of
march. As they drew up in front of the
house, their long lines of flaming torches
presented a striking and beautiful sight.


Order being secured, John Coon,. Esq.,,
came forward and addressed Mr. Riddle,
greeting him in the name of the Wide
Awakes, and presenting their congratula-
tions at his nomination for Congress, and as
suring him that they cordially responded to
the action of the Convention. The people
had chosen him as the standard bearer in
the earnest struggle of the people against
misrule, anarchy and despotsm, and to his
hands had intrusted the duty of bearing
sloft the glorious flag of the Republican
party. The Wide Awakes, as well as all of
the people, know full well that to no better
hands could the grand old doctrines of the
Revolution be entrusted. They had a sufi-
cient guarantee that he would be faithful in
the support of the right, and in that conf
dence he would go forth to the Federal City.


Mr.. Riddle replied;
Gentlemen Of the Lincoln Vide Aloake Club:


Though not unapprised Of your intended
demonstration of respect for myself personally
as well as the position l now occupy you
still find me unprepared fttingly to express
my profound gratitude for it, in manner Just
to my own feelings, and that shall be a well
come worthy of you, and the occasion.


And while can but be proud of-and fat
tered by, this generous mark of confidence,
/ with which you honor me; l am still to re-
member that it is in this way you express
| your appreciation of the action of our late
convention; due the person of the successful
candidate, as an evidence of your profound
| devotion to our country's cause


Apprised of your coming, my kind friends
and neighbors have generously come around
me, to aid in giving you somewhat fitting
welcome. And only regret that my mod
est mansion is not as large and expansive as
my heart in its regard for you, so that with
| your gallant leaders at your head, you might
march in, and find its then enlarged cham
bers, ample for your reception and glad for
! your presence.


This is no occasion for a speech-a call for
mutual congratulation, in which the best and
kindly feelings of social life may mingle with
/ the ardOr of patriotism, and rule and gid
bright and happy moment We are now
taking the first steps in the grand march that
IS again to redeem our country. For long
years has this country groaned under the
soiling tread Of a hoard of political bandits
and brigandsi whose fostering footsteps have
marked and marred it all over with leprous
and loathsOme- scabs. They have climbed
into the high places of our great men and
fathers, only to pOllute and prostitute them.
They have driven the grand State chariot over
a preciDice, to crush it; so that from amid its
ruins they might filch and steal the precious
things with which it is laden. They have made
spoil and mere! !handise of our common Amer
lean Fame and Glory They have shame
lessly bought and sold the promises of Ameri-
can citizens, in the linseled shambles of the
worlds market. They have injected the poi
son Of corruption into all the veins and arteries
of the public service, until the body polite
has become diseased, and bloated. Literally,
" The trail Of the serpent is over ali" And
now the voice of our country, with mingled
sadness and indignation, comes to us, calling
all its sons and daughters to the rescue-and
to that rescue we come.


The first to heed that call are the brave
Wide Awakes. Already across the listening
waste comes the swelling notes of their tri-
umphant march that shakes the solid ground
as they advance. Already the sky reddens
with the gleam of their torches, and redder
yet that sky shall grow and glow, until the
whole heavens shall be radiant with their
glory-a CLEAN that shall be consuming
fire to the iniguitous works and the iniqui-
tOus workers who now deile this Ephesian
Temple Of our Fathers.


l congratulate you, gentlemen-I congra-
tulate your gallant officers, and you upon the
splendid display that you make on this and
on all occasions, uniting the martial bearing
of the soldier with the manly port of the free
American citizen-half military, half civil
all patriotic, all maGly.


udl4 AAAc tubblLullOu OF YOUR order as the
hapPiest thOnght of this glorious campaign,
and could my influence accomplish it would
see your numbers quadrupled-the only
means of adding to your present efficiency.


In the duties Of present position, ask no
better support than your manly surround
ing. | wish no other light along my path
way than the gleam of your torches-no
more stimulating cheer than the ring of your
voices; for / know that your torches Will
Light Us on to victory; and your shouts shall
swell out louder and louder until the vaulted
heavens shall give back your pecan of final
triumph


know whenI shall 20 from your midstto
the high duties to which am called, your
generous sympathies, and hopes, and wishes
will go with, and surround and sustain me
there, as with an atmosphere


And know that if in the discharge Of
those duties the brain reels, the eve a1ails,
the cheek blanches, the tongue falters, the
hand fail, and the foot goes back, an indig-
nant storm Of seorn, contempt and shame
| from your lips will scorch and blast me; as
l also know that if I stand there with the
calm front of true courage, in the strength
and pride Of my unsullied manhood, not
only your voices, but if need be your hands,
Will stay and support me.


And oh, know, if the evil days come
upon our country, as predicted and threat
ened by our enemies, and treasonable force
assails the integrity of our Union, at the call
OF that same country, and following your no
bic leaders, you will cast away your fam
baux, and in each strong right hand shall
flash cleaning battle-blade; and you will
not rush TO kill and destroy your mistaken
countTymen, but to defend and shield the
sacred form your country


And once again thanking you, and once
more bidding you welcome, and asking you
after your long march to receive such re-
freshments as it is in my power to offer, I
take present leave of you. ars


Three rousing cheers were given for Mr.:
Riddle, followed by music from the Band.


The Wide Awakes were then served with
refreshments from the hands of numerous
walters. The scene during the speaking was
grand and exciting. There was literally
sea of upturned faces, and the throng
spoke eloquently of the standing of Mr.. Rid
die among his own acquaintances and neigh