Philadelphia Democrats hold a mass protest meeting in Independence Square

Philadelphia Democrats held a very large public meeting in Independence Square in the city to protest the actions of the federal government, particularly in the case of Clement Vallandigham. Ellis Lewis was elected to the chair and he presided over a series of bitter speeches from men like former state governor William Bigler and leading Philadelphians. The angry gathering nevertheless agreed that the solution to what was seen as an attack on the Constitution lay in the ballot box and Democrat victory in the fall elections.  (By John Osborne)