Germans of Will County.

1

August 27, 1858.

From the Chicago Times.

German Democratic Mass Meeting at Joliet — The Germans pledged to a man to sustain Douglas.

Joliet, Will Co., Aug. 17, 1858.

The German Democrats of Joliet opened the campaign in a most significant manner on Monday evening last. Although but short notice had been given of the intention of their leaders "to set the ball rolling," they gathered to the number of several hundred at the Court House. The meeting being duly organized by the election of S. Sebastian, Esq., who, by the way, is the truest and most active German Democrat in Will county, to the chair , and Dr. Vena, formerly of Chicago, to the secretaryship. Mr. H. Vallardt, of New York, addressed the enthusiastic crowd in an energetic manner for over an hour and a half. In the course of his remarks he surveyed the whole ground occupied by the democratic party at the present time. He took special pains to explain the true position in reference to the slavery question, by a full illustration of the doctrine of Popular Sovereignty. He also took occasion to reduce the imaginary terrors of the Dred Scott decision, and to show its merits in the true light. He then proceeded to pay a glowing tribute to the talents and achievements of Senator Douglas; to exhort his hearers to exert every nerve to bring about the victory of Democratic principles, the election of democratic candidates, and the return of the great anti-Lecompton champion of the United States Senate, and concluded by denouncing in the strongest terms, the treason and defection of the so called Nationals. The speaker was rapturously cheered throughout, and the intensity of enthusiasm proved beyond contradiction, that the sentiments of the audience were in strict harmony with the spirits of his remarks. Some of the Republicans attempted to discountenance the speaker by a cross examination, but he promptly responded to their calls for information and repelled the insinuations implied in some of their interrogatories in so effective a manner, that their principal spokesman thought it best to leave the hall in disgust. His retirement took place under a perfect storm of hisses.

Mr. Villardt was followed by Dr. Vena, who made a few pertinent and eloquent remarks.

A series of resolutions were passed, whereupon the gathering dispersed with three hearty cheers for Stephen A. Douglas and Popular Sovereignty.

There are about a dozen of forlorn individuals owing allegiance to the Republican party out of the 350 German voters of Joliet — a fact which speaks for itself.

The resolutions contained a strong endorsement of Senator Douglas and his democratic colleagues in Congress, and a most emphatic denunciation of the treacherous designs of the Chicago Post-office clique.