Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 September 1876 — Mr. Major at Egypt School House. [ARTICLE]

Mr. Major at Egypt School House.

Mb Editor: Monday night I went to Egypt school house to hear Hon. Geo. Major deliver a political speech. I bad been told of the sad picture of affairs which he had presented; but confess to have been perfectly astonished at the delivery of his piece. Of all the dark and gloomy pictures of pnblie affaire this array was the blackest ever drawn. Not a single ray of light or hope illuminated the scene; but ruin, desolation aud bankruptcy stare all in the face. It is true tiroes are hard .and there is some distress in the land; but his picture 'is entirely overdrawn. I have seen far darker days than these when the democracy had full sway. He spoke in this doleful style for l over two hours, without presenting a single cheering * If there was any hope of :'W'vi VP*?'-"” \ . ■* ■>- T

electing Mr. Peter Cooper to the pramdency, he might have modified the tone of his piece; but aa th«rc is no hope of that he never changed his tone. He reminded me of a case I once heard tried in the United States district court at Indianapolis, A wealthy old gentleman owned very valuable property in Lamaßco, a suburb of Vincennes. He became impressed with forbodings simi(lar to those of Major; the country was on the verge of ruin; a great famine was impending ; there was not grain enough in the country to feed the people, nor wool enough to clothe them. He sold Tiis valuable property fora trifle. His ' friends became alarmed as to his B&nity, and guarded him day and night; until one evening he slipped from them and committed suicide. Suit was brought by his heirs to recover his property. I hope Mr. Major’s address will lead no ono to such diie extremity. His solemn tones and the horrible picture of ruin aud distress depicted by him, revived in ,my mind'the recollection of that solemn verse in Watt's old hymn book. Hark, from the tombs a doleful sound! Mine ears attend the err! Ye living men, come view the ground Where you must'ehortly lie!