On  arriving  at  the  courthouse  that  spacious  building  was  im-
mediately filled — ^literally  packed  full, — court-room,  hall,  stairways*
and  vestibule — and  still  a  large  crowd  were  entirely  unable  to  obtain  a
shelter  from  the  cutting  northeast  wind,  which  was  blowing  almost  a
hurricane,  and  were  consequently  obliged  to  retire.  The  meeting  was
called  to  order  by  Wm.  P.  Lynde  Esq. ;  Hon.  John  P.  Helfenstein  was
chosen  chairman  by  acclamation,  and  R.  N.  Messenger  and  J.  G.
Barr  appointed  secretaries.
The  Chairman  opened  the  meeting  with  a  few  pertinent  remarks,
when  A.  D.  Smith  moved  the  appointment  of  a  conunittee  of  five
to  draft  resolutions.  The  following  gentlemen  were  appointed  said
committee:  A.  D.  Smith,  L.  Hubbell,  J.  A.  Brown,  M.  Walsh,  and
M.  Schoefiler.
A.  D.  Smith,  being  loudly  called  for,  arose  and  addressed  the
multitude  in  his  usual  felicitous  and  eloquent  manner.  His  remarks
elicited  frequent  and  enthusiastic  cheers.
At  the  conclusion  of  Mr.  Smith's  remarks  I.  P.  Walker  was  en-
thusiastically called  for,  who  in  a  powerful  argumentative  speech
showed  the  superiority  of  the  constitution  now  presented  to  the
people  of  Wisconsin  over  any  other  one  that  had  ever  been  framed.
