Watertown Republican

THE DEMOCRATIC MEETING.
The great Democratic mass meeting of last Saturday, about which so much had been said and prophesied, could scarcely be called a success. In the first place the day was not auspicious, as considerable rain fell in the morning and a cold, raw wind blew during the balance of the day. For a long time the crowd, like Artemus Ward's regiment of Brigadier Generals, was composed entirely of the Marshals, who came out on horseback with sashes and batons and rode furiously up and down the street as if determined that no effort of theirs should be wanting to prevent a failure. By noon, however, a good many people were in town and several processions of teams, a large share of which were hired for the occasion, had arrived.
The Union was typified by two different wagon loads, each composed of thirty-seven shivering girls in white, except ten dressed in mourning or half mourning to represent the sad condition of the oppressed rebel States.
In the afternoon Eldridge spoke from the Lindon House to a crowd whose chattering teeth well-nigh drowned out the great Objector's voice. It is no injustice to Mr. Eldridge to say that his speech was wholly unworthy of a man occupying the position he does, for it abounded in falsehoods and misrepresentations which would have disgraced the lowest demagogue. In the evening there was a torchlight procession of less than two hundred torches.
As the straggling, "wobbling" line passed by any one could see that no soldier, and apparently but few sober men marched in it. When the procession came around the last time the street and walks were filled with a roaring rabble which surged along screaming, howling and cheering as if Pandemonium had broken loose.
It had been arranged that there should be speaking at two halls, and at the appointed time they were both filled. Judge Orton spoke at Music Hall, and D. F. Weymouth, Esq., at Cole's Hall. The crowd at the latter place, after listening a few moments, set out almost en masse for the other hall, but finding that filled they started back to hear Weymouth out. Their virtuous intention, however, was never accomplished, for the numerous saloons between the two places sucked in the last man and Daniel was left to harangue empty benches. Before midnight these saloons had the greatest part of the balance, and the great day of which so much had been expected, wound up in glorious Democratic style.