A young man was nominated and elected without opposition.

Doctor Plunkett again addressed the meeting:  “It is hardly necessary,” he said, “to remind you of the object which has brought us together.  Our forces in the field need replenishing.  The Rebellion has assumed more formidable proportions than we anticipated.  It is quite clear that we cannot put it down with one hand.  We shall need both.  Impressed with this conviction, President Lincoln has made an extraordinary levy upon the country.  He feels that it is desirable to put down the Rebellion as speedily as possible, and not suffer it to drag through a series of years.  But he cannot work single-handed.  The loyal States must give their hearty cooperation.  Our State, though inferior in extent and population to some others, has not fallen behind in loyal devotion.  Nor, I believe, will Rossville be found wanting in this emergency.  Twenty-five men have been called for.  How shall we get them?  This is the question which we are called upon to consider.  I had hoped the Honorable Solomon Stoddard would be here to address you; but I regret to learn that a temporary illness will prevent his doing so.  I trust that those present will not be backward in expressing their opinions.”

Mr. Holman was already on his feet.  His speech consisted of disconnected remarks on the general conduct of the war, mingled with severe denunciation of the Administration.

He had spoken for fifteen minutes in this strain, when the chairman interfered——­

“Your remarks are out of order, Mr. Holman.  They are entirely irrelevant to the question.”

Holman wiped his cadaverous features with a red silk pocket-handkerchief, and inquired, sarcastically, “Am I to understand that freedom of speech is interdicted in this hall?”

“Freedom of speech is in order,” said the chairman calmly, “provided the speaker confines himself to the question under discussion.  You have spoken fifteen minutes without once touching it.”

“I suppose you want me to praise the Administration,” said Holman, evidently thinking that he had demolished the chairman.  He looked around to observe what effect his shot had produced.

“That would be equally out of order,” ruled the presiding officer.  “We have not assembled to praise or to censure the Administration, but to consider in what manner we shall go to work to raise our quota.”

Holman sat down with the air of a martyr.

Mr. Frost rose next.  It is unnecessary to report his speech.  It was plain, practical, and to the point.  He recommended that the town appropriate a certain sum as bounty money to volunteers.  Other towns had done so, and he thought with good reason.  It would undoubtedly draw in recruits more rapidly.

A short, stout, red-faced man, wearing gold spectacles, rose hastily.

“Mr. Chairman,” he commenced, “I oppose that suggestion.  I think it calculated to work serious mischief.  Do our young men need to be hired to fight for their country?  I suppose that is what you call patriotism.  For my part, I trust the town will have too much good sense to agree to any such proposition.  The consequence of it would be to plunge us into debt, and increase our taxes to a formidable amount.”