The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-04-05
WASHINGTON, April 3, 1SA8.

The Meeting of the Members of the Press.
There was an OVERLOOKING gathering of tho
people, at Odd Fellows Hall, tonight, In attend
ance at meeting of the members Of the press,
called to congratulate the people of France on
their rapid and astonishing transition from mo-
narchy to a republic.
For a sketch of the speeches and speakers, see
your reporters report.
Mr.. Ritchie's address broke over the lines of
neutrality, and unfortunately created a division
of sentiment in the meeting, which ended in a
rather noisy adjournment. He said that he was
mortified and Disguised at the proceedings IN the
House to-day-that abolition was dragged into
the discussion. He spoke of the President
as having done his duty, that Congress
ought to do their duty, SC. At the conclu.
sion he moved an additional resolution, ap-
proving the conduct of Mr.. Rush, the Ame-
rlcan Minister, In his prompt acknowledgement
of the French republic. DR.. Houston opposed
the motion ire levant to the object OF the
meeting. Mr.. Robinson moved to amend, 50 as
to express an approval generally Of the conduct
OF the Americans In Paris. Mr.. Richie, at the
instance of Gov. Isaac Hill, agreed to modify his
resolution so as to embrace in the approval the
American Minister and the 2SO American citi-
zens in Paris, in acknowledging the French re-
public so promptly as they had acknowledged it.
Mr.. Robinson, DR.. Houston, and Mr.. l.. F.
Thomas opposed the proposition; Mr. Cunning
ham spoke warmly in behalS of the American
representative; SO did Father Richie; but I'M
fortunately, the motion, originally coming from
Father Richie, coupled with his unreasonable re-
marks as aforesaid, gave party or an admlnistra-
ton compliment to his motion, which the wings
could not endorse. Some personalities passed
between Mr.. Cunningham and Mr.. Robinson,
and the meeting Kissed both of them, but their
loud voices OVERRIDE all opposition. Your cor
respondent rose several times, with view to
attempt a reconciliation, but was compelled,
from the fermentation of the elements, to aban-
don the experiment.
Finally, the vote was taken upon the res0lu-
tons OF the Committee, and they were carried.
The question then recurring on Mr. kltchle's
resolution as amended, an adroit motion was
made to adjourn, which was carried, and thus
the resolution of approval of the American Mi
mister and the 2S0 American citizens In Parls,
was cut off.
The resolution ought to have been passed-it
ought yet to be passed--the series is incomplete
without it, and we believe 1t might have been
passed, but for Father Ritchle's unfortunate
speech in advance OF the motion: The wings OF
the meeting at once concluded that the editor OF
the Union proposed nothing less than to make
the meeting a vehicle of adulation of the ad-
ministration, and this they were determined to
resist, to the exclusion OF the American Minister
and the American citizens In Paris, 80 nobly
sympathizing on the spot with the French people.
The vote was confined to the members of the
press, including the printers present. AS they
dred persons of the assembly, Mr.. Richie, upon
motion made, suggested general suffrage; but
though he was challenged TO try 1t, the sugges'
ton was overruled.
The meeting, which begun In harmony, ended
in confusion and dissatisfaction; and we near
already of a proposition to call another, 10 sup
ply the omission in the resolutions OF tonight.