Year: 1866




ING TELEGRAPH


Last evening was Inaugurated at the Academy
OF Music grand series of popular meetings.
under the auspices of the Union League, which
are destined to make their mark In the pending
canvass in this city and State. The spacious
building was literally jammed with as select an
audience as has ever be n congregated within
its walls. And we have grave doubts if there
was ever assembled therein a multitude who
were so wildly enthusiastic, aud so heartily in
earnest in the support of a great and growing
cause. At least one-half of the assemblage con-
sisted OF ladies, who did not permit the sterner
sex to Guido them in their tributes to the elo-
Quence and loyalty of one of Philadelphia's most
popular public men.


When his Honor the Mayor appeared upon
the platform, accompanied by the orator of the
evening, the enthusiasm reached its highest
pitch, and broke forth in the waving of hats and
handkerchiets and long-continued cheers When
the applause had somewhat subsided, Mayor
McMlchael, who had been selected as the
Chairman of the evening, came forward and
addressed the audience in these words:-


The Union League of this city, profoundly
impressed with sense of gratitude for the dis
tinguished services rendered to our common
country during the late war by loyal women
(applause), aud recognizing to its fullest extent
tne value of their counsel and CO operation in
this most important juncture, have arranged
series OF meetings in this spacious and commo-
dlous edidce, expressly with the view to their
convenience and accommodation. (Applause.)
And ! esteem it high privilege, ladies, as the
presiding officer upon this occasion TO thanK
you in behalf of my fellow-members for your
presence here, and the announcement which
that presence brings with it, (Applause)
Recalling, as We all do most willingly, the en-
thusiasm impaired to our meetings in 1861 by
| your attendance and the increased zeal with
which you inspired us in the great patriotic
work in which you and we were then mutually
| engaged. we feel that our present canvass
| vigorous and effective as we have labored To
| make it, would be incomplete did you not share
| in it, and that the grand victory which we are
confident we shall WIN (cheers), would be shorn
OF portion of It's glory il we did not offer suit
able acknowledgement of the great aid which
you have contributed towards ITS achievement
From the hour that our flag was lowered at
Fort Sumter, amid the gloom and indignation of
an outraged people, to the hour in which that
same flag was thrown again to the breeze from
that historic fortress, amid the eXultant shouts
OF triumphant nation, and in the long interval
which has since followed, our Union League.
all Union Leagues, all kindred associations ali
rlght-mlnded individuals of our sex have heen
constant constant deotors TO yours: Not alone for your
grleVoGs selt-sacrihces; not alone tor your gen.
tie minlstratons to the sick wounded and
dying: not alone for your unceasinp acts of he
nehcence; not alone for the tenderness with
which you have soothed those who have
mourned, and comforted those who have went.
not alone tor the bright and cheerful exampIe5
you set before us in our hours of trial and des
pondency, but also, and perhaps above an
for your sublime faith in, and your steady mn
swerv.ng, intleXible devotion to-, the great min
ciples that underlald the contest; and for thar
and the devotion that neryed the tmid strength
ehed the bold, and urged forward the daring
among ourselves, | am sure there is not 3
man in this vast assembly who does not at This
moment feel his heart cheered and his arm
strengthened by the expression which now beams
in your eyes and kindles in your faces. / thank
you, ladies; welcome, thrice welcomed


Ladies and Gentlemen: AS the representative
ol the Union League, my business here tonight
is not to make speech myself, but to occupy
the chair while one infinitely better qualified
than am, addresses you.


1t is conceded everywhere that, from the be-
ginning of armed rebellion, PHILADELPHIA has
been prominent for her fidelity to the Union.
and among those of her citizens who have heeI'
most conspicuous in the manifestation of that
fidelity, both by act and word is nv trna and
trusty friend Mr.. Daniel Doughertv. IAnnlanseS y
Separating himself from a political associatiop
to which he was attached by the strongest ties
because 1t faltered in its duty to the Govern
ment. he has freely employed his rare powers
OF eloquence in maintaining the right and is
here tonight to eXpound in his own brilliant
manner the cardinal truths and doctrines which
control our political action. To the multitude
which, drawn here by his name, now throng
thls Academy impatient to hear him, he needs
no special introduction. Without further re-
marks, step aside to make way for him.





greeted with the most vocferous cheers The
applause lasted several minutes, and after il
mad ceased, MIR. Dougherty said:-


tender to my brothers of the Union League
my hearty acknowledgements for the honor
they have conferred upon me in inviting me to
ADDRESS vou ladies and gentlemen This is not
the drst time have been the recipient of an
ovation which, If extended to anv of the great
ones Of the land they might well feel proud
but which, when extended to me, private man,
and your own fellow-citizen, overwhelms me
with obligations which nay tongue is powerless
to express.


This is glorious sight Ito see vast assembly
OF people convened to deliberate on their duty
to the country, and l, as the selected speaker of
the evening, appreciatiDg the responsibilities,
will address myself TO your reason, your patriot.
ism, your duty to the dead and the living


1t is unnecessary that l should descant at
length upon the power of the elective franchise.


In this republic revolutions fail in the battle
field; they may be successful at the ballot-box.


Remember, eternal vigilance is the price or
liberty (Applause.)


The republic protects our every right, and in
return she looks to us for wise, careful, and
conscientious discharge of the elective franchise
to guard her honor, strengthen her stability,
promote her prosperity, and aid her In her sub
lime mission for the elevation of the human race
The citizen who ON an election day ia