This statement was received with tremendous applause. He proceeded to say that he was a peaceable man, and was in favor of peaceable measures; but he did not intend to be overridden and trodden down by the Secession element, which he believed was in a large minority in the State. He was ready to talk as long as talking did any good; but when he had talked enough he was ready to fight.
This was the popular sentiment in the meeting, and a tumult of applause followed, ending in nine rousing cheers. He was ready to shoulder a musket in any Kentucky regiment, and he was glad that some had already been organized. He had twenty-seven horses he would give "without money and without price," to the cause of the Union, with which to start a cavalry company; and "I think I can find arms for the men," he added.
This offer was greeted with yells of approval, and it was some time before he could say anything more.
"I will also contribute twenty horses," shouted Colonel Cosgrove.
"I will give the next twenty," Colonel Belthorpe cried out.
The clapping of hands and the cheering were renewed with more vigor than ever, if possible; and others offered to contribute from one to five each, till over a hundred horses were pledged for the company. In the midst of this enthusiasm the voice of Deck was heard in the lobby.
"Are you a Union man, sir?" he demanded in a voice loud enough to be heard in a momentary lull of the enthusiasm.
"No, I am not!" replied the applicant, with a volley of expletives.
"Then you can't go in," answered Deck.
"Who says I can't?" asked the intruder in fierce tones.