Rensselaer Union, Volume 1, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 October 1868 — The Rally Last Saturday. [ARTICLE]

The Rally Last Saturday.

The Republican rally at this place last Saturday 1 excelled' any demonstration in the county since 1866. The day was clear and warm. It is estimated by the Republicans that nearly 3,000 persons were oht. The procession was over a mile long, consisting of people in wagons and on horseback. A beautiful National flag had been offered by the ladies of Rensselaer as a premium to the township bringing the largest delegation. The gentlemen of the Central Committee stood upon the balcony of the Austin House, and counted the delegations as they filed past under the direction of their marshals and reported a tie between HangingXrove and GiUam townships, upon which it whs' decided to make another flag equal*t 6 the cte already made, to be given to Hanging Grov e township Who very kindly consented to allow' tbe present one 10 be given to Gillain township, that delegation having come a distance of twenty mists. these two townships, Barkley, Carpenter, Newton and Keener were represented- in competition by larger delegations. The Carpenter delegation was iriost all mounted, makiager splendid appearance. Great praise is due to Major Burkett and Captain Cowell fol their zeal in organizing their delegations, and many werethe compliments bestowed upon them by the spectators. Hanging Grove'made a fine display under the direction of her Marshals, Harvey Wood and James Morgan. In this processsten* wo» a large double wagon drawn'by? eight span bf horses and carrying l a fine flag.. Ip tbe front wagon several young men wens Mlsy preparing feather and ro The sides of the

headed by the largest horseback procession on the ground and made a very imposing appsarance. Newton, Keener, and Barkley delegations tec mostly .it), wagons and were warmly complimented for the large numbers they brought. Gillam township, coming the farthest, made the most impression and wpn the enthusiasm of tators by the neat and elaborate care they had evidently tak,eu to win the flag. Under the direction of Major .Tories, Capt. Benj. Farris and young Qucrry they Were headed by a large canopied wagon, covered with red, white and blue cloth, and Ornamented with rosettes of the same colors, in which thiity-scven young ladies rode carrying miniature flags. We have been requested to especially mention the exertions made by Miss Mattie Rayhorn in the labor which won for their township one of the presentation flags. mottoes. < Among others we noted the following mottoes upon the flags atid wagons : “Union and Liberty.’V“God Protect the Right.’’ “Let us have Peace.” “Gillain goes for Grant ancfCqlfax, against Repudiation, and sustains Congress.” FLAG PRESENTATION. , The procession, afler ~paFadiug through the principal streets, crossed the bridge and halted in Vanßenssclacr Grove where seats had been propared’ in front of the speaker’s stand, where the flag was presented in a Hi.at little speech by Mrs. Sarah J. Hemphill, as follows : “Ladies and Gentlemen : In honor of your large delegation, in honor of your patriotism and love of liberty, and in bohalf of this committee, I present to you this f&g. “You see our motto; you flee its beautiful stripes and stars. May not one-stripe ever be sullied or one star ever bo blotted from the beautiful constellation, but may star after star be added Until from Maine to California, from ocean to oceari, there shall b< one mighty confederation of States. “Gputlemen: We, the wives, mothers, sisters arid daughters of the mighty Republic will do all we can, but to you wo look for the protection of our fire-sides and hearth-stories. Many of you went through -the four years of bloody war which has but just past. 1 sec many amongst you, yes many amongst this vast audience who served our cot ntry with honor and distinction. Come and serve it again by your suffrages. Come in October and vote the Republican ticket. Xomein November and vote for Grant and Colfax, and wo shall have peace.” To which Major Jones, of Gillam, responded as follows ; “Ladies ok Rexsselaki: : On behalf of tho Gillam township delegation I receive this beautiful present and promise for them that no act of ours shall sully its.broad stripes or dtir'ttriwlftrr TOtrsrr Wtrcrr "the SoUth opened the fate war by tiring upon our National flag in Charleston, South Carolina, the sons of Gillam township hastened to the defense of their country. Some of them went never' to return; Their blood enriches the soil and their bones bleach upon the plains where they laid down their iivesiu defense df. the Union. Some of them came back to us and are here to-day. They will aver defend the flag of our country. “In behalf of the people of Gillam township, I thank you for this beautiful present.” THE SPEAKER'S STAND Was. tastefully decorated by the ladies of Rensselaer with flags, hauliers, flowers and evergreens. ( TUB SPEECHES. The first speech was made by Mr. Guffin, of the law firm of Guflin &■ Parker, of Indianapolis, and was a clear and forcible argument ih favor of the principles advocated by the Republican party, which unfortunately eould net be heard by more than one-third of the people, the orator being-unaccustomed to .nut-door speaking, arid the wind blowing from the lupdicnce. At the close of Mr. Guffin s address, Judge Test, of the Circuit Court was called' and responded in a Stirring exhortation of a half hour’s duration, everybody in the best huirior andjregretting ouly that they could not hear the first speaker. It is proper for us to say that both the Brass tuid Martial Bands discoursed most ■ excellent music, for which they deserve and receive the compliments of all who heard them. — • * —W. H. English, of this State, and formerly Democratic member of Congres, has announced his intention to support the Republican ticket. • , y route for