Republican Speech01

 

OSHKOSH NORTHWESTERN

October 29, 1868

 

WAUPACA COUNTY

Matt. Carpenter’s Speech at Waupaca – An Enthusiastic Meeting

 

Correspondence of the Daily Northwestern

                                                                                                                        FREMONT, Oct. 25

            I had the pleasure of listening to a speech from Hon. Matt. H. Carpenter, at Waupaca, last Friday night.  It was estimated that fully two thousand people were packed, literally packed, in the room where the meeting was held.

            The meeting was called to order by Capt. M.H. Sessions, who, with a few well-timed remarks, introduced Mr. Carpenter to the audience.

            Mr. C. commenced by saying that there were two sets of candidates in the field.  The Republican candidates we knew, but could only guess who the Democratic leaders were.  According to the last telegraphic dispatches they were Seymour and Blair.  There was time before the election for the Democrats, if they were pretty smart, to have two or three sets of candidates, and time enough for us to whip two or three sets.

            He spoke of Grant, his services, of the debt of gratitude we owe him, and a portion of which we mean to pay on the 3d day of November.

            He then paid his compliments to the wise Horatio.  Although at times severe, he was certainly fair and just.  If he had no words of praise, it was because no praise was due.  Such men as Matt Carpenter have but little sympathy for traitors or their friends.

            His arguments in favor of the reconstruction acts were sound and conclusive, as his arguments always are.  I would like to give you a few extracts from his truly eloquent address, but cannot, for the reason that I could not find elbow room enough for taking notes, and had to give it up in disgust.

            The Waupaca Tanners, Capt. Sessions, and Weyauwega Tanners, Capt. Gassmon, were out, and added much to the entertainments of the evening by their exercises after the address.

            In fact everybody, except a few sore heads, went home pleased with the exercises of the evening, fully sensible of one fact, that our chances are a little the best in this one-sided contest!

            I believe the people of Waupaca mean to maintain their reputation for intelligence and honest by generally voting the Republican ticket, and the whole ticket.

            I intended to give a fuller and better report, but cannot find time.                          J.W.