Year: 1872

A large and enthusiastic mass meeting was held
here tonight in front of the Benbow House. which
was addressed by Colonel Alexander Mcclure, OF
Philadelphia, t'npr0mpt,l Benches were con-
structed during the afternoon along the street, in
front OF q speakers stand, bands OF music played
national airs, and by eight p. M. the entire length
OF the square was thronged with vast c0ncourse
ofcitizens. The seats, which were chiefly occupied
by ladies' presented brilliant appearance beneath
the iuminations by which the crowd were sur
rounded. Crowds OF white men were congre-
gated around the benches, while the out
skirts were composed OF negroes, who are
now taking a lively interest in everything
that falls from Northern mans lips.


M'CLURE's SPEECH.


Upon being introduced Colonel Mcclure was re-
ceived with applause. He returned thanks for the
demonstration and proceeded to review the politi-
cal issues of the day, both State and national.
He promised victory by twenty-five thou
sand majority for the liberal ticket in
Pennsylvania in October. After giving
history Of the policies OF the present
administration towards the South, which he
showed to be in direct conflict with the ishes O
the republicans OF the North, he said :-"Tne at
tempt to lead the republican party by the
appliance Of power to accept debauchery and
despOtism as its elements or success Gre





solemn protest OF Independent men of the party
against the DEGREES which aimed to shacke thought,
silence OF speech, and prohibit action not in ac-
cord with the dctatiOn OF selfish rulers. 1t
was the OutspOken demand OF the nation In
behalf OF sefgOvernment and public order
(applause) and the nation has Obliterated party
lines in the surely approaching approval of that
greatwOrk. It's declaration OF principles honestly
and frankly expressed, made millions OF men of
all sections, conditions and race devoted to one
true faith and to one noble purpose.


TWO NATIONAL CONVENTIONS,


in each of which every State was represented be-
ing free from the contamination of corrupt power
reflected the convictions Of the people and the SUI
premc wants of the country; and but one man
could in oil respects lead this sublime and in.
vincible army of reform and peace. There are few
North or South whom he has not at some time
antagonized and with the earnestness OF his
honest nature; but who has ever questioned
the integrity, the intelligence the patriotism
OF Horace Greeley Cheers and applauseD He
me. When they were helpless and when 1t required
the highest measure OfcOurage to brave prejudices
and passions OF the times: when the


NOW ENFRANCHISED BLACK MAN


was ensavcd in the South and dsfranchsed in
the North, and when to speak for him was to in
earnestly advocated the freedom and political
equality Of all men, tApplause:l When Grant was



chanan for the repeal OF the Missouri Compromise
and the approval OF the Dred Scott decision,
which declared that the black man had no
Horace Greeley had devoted all the vigOr Of his
rlpened manhood TO give freedom and citizenship
to the powerless and despised race. In his own
state he made canvass after canvass against over
whelmng numbers to make Suffrage free to all, and
in abiding faith he fought the battle to the end and
gave it victory. But in the rich wreaths he had
gathered for himself bv his ceascess efforts for the
owly and oppressed there was no hate or resent
ment to


DIM THE LUsTRE OF HIS ACHIEVEMENTS.


Just when the black man had been secured in his
triumph, made strangers to their country. Then,
when the resentments Of the war were omnipotent
with rulers and people. above the black tempest of
passion was one silver lining to the cloud; one
voice had spoken amidst the anathemas of hate Ii
was the demand OF Horace Greeley for


UNIVERSAL AMNESTY AND SUFFRAGE


Cheers and appause.) IL cost him many valued
friends for season. and made him ineligible to the
high honors S.l his his party had decided to confer
labored patiently, earnestly and hopefully.
until the whole nation confessed his wisdom
oppressed. OF every race and cline, ever found :in
him a friend. 1t is his enlightened craftsmanship
and unlalterIng courage IN support of the right
their noblest trumphs. In times of sorest trial to
the nation and to any portion OF its people. he has
met every question with dignity, ability and


WHEN CALLED TO THE CHIEF xAersrRAcY,
as ne soon shall be- he viii himself, in the discharge
OF the duties Of the highest trust conferred upon
man, perfect tho amnesty he advocated, in
apparently hopeless Efforts, when the con
OF the republic will understand that at last
there shall be honest government and peace.
(Applause) Citizens OF North Carolina, behold your
State IL Is swift and terrible witness
OF the truth OF what I have taught The
recital of the despotism and corruption
l have given yOu is hut the history of
your commonwealth. 1t was the cradle of liberty
In one OF your southern counties the first formal
declaration of independence ever made on this CON





history Is replete with ilustrOus names in the an
nails OF the forum and of the field, and with the
nObest achievement in war and peace, you were
noted for the ability and purity OF your representa-
tive men, and OF your local government. The
household gods. The evil days OF sectional war
came upon you. and you rdged the plains and hill
sides OF the South with the


NANELEss GRAVES OF YOUR SONS


War ended, and the silver wings OF peace were
welcomed by the remnant OF your warriors and by
your people. But peace came not All the desola-
tiOn and bereavement OF the strife paled before the
uDspeakable blight and degradation that remained
mad 10 or en y%u 1he m sSr own sons VINO
into your Gnbernatoral chair by violence and
fraud. and with him came a Legislature and other
corruption The highway robber takes only what
may be restored, but the Holden government
credit-the proud patrimony OF her people. Had they
merely plundered the Treasury OF all they could eX-
tort from prostrated and impoverished people,
they might have been charitaby forgotten but with
excessive taxes imposed they have added mil
lions upon millions to your Indebtedness, without
even the pretense Of rendering an equivalent.


They have multiplied ofiicers in every county to
oppress your citizens and devour their little sub
stance; they have created disorder for the double
purpose OF intimidating your people and


PLUNDERING THE NATIONAL TREASURY:


They have employed perjury TO impose vexatons
and humliatng bonds upon many OF your best
men. TO silence the popular resentment they
so boldly provoked True, Legislature fresh
from the people hurled the chief OF these
unexamped wrongs from his place, with the
seal Of infamy upon his head, but his SCARED
and bOtted monuments will stand in your
midst as generation after generation execrates his
name tApplause.) When you made an earnest
enort TO throw the safeguards OF amended con-
stItut0n around your people you were forbidden to
exercise the sovereignty accorded TO The people
OF the States. hut now the sword II no
longer drawn over yOu-thanks TO repub
lican Congress-and your peaceable and complete
regeneration is In your own hands. Many thou
the national treasury to aid the enemies of order