Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-06-16

the city papers by order of the Mayor
sPUBLIC MEETING.
In view of the destructive FIRE yesterday afternoon so
Injurious to the business and prosperity of the city, and
90 oppressive in its results upon individuals and families
me citizens Of Worcester hereby requested to assemble
IN he CITY Hall this morsing 10 O'Clock to cooperate
As far as may be, with the City Council in such measures
as they may judge it necessary to adopt
j. 5. C. KN0WLT0N. Mayor.
Worcester, June Is, 1854"
At twenty minutes before eleven, the May
or entered the hall. called the assemblage to
order, and announced the objects of the meet
ing.
He said that in view of the great calamity
that had befallen the community, he had
deemed it proper to call a meeting of the citi-
gems TO see what measures they would adopt
for the relief Of the sufferers, and for the re-
paration of the severe losses which a large
portion Of the business community had sus-
tained.-The matter was in their hands, and
he was ready to hear any motion in regard to
the organization of the meeting.
A motion was made that Hon. Levi Lin
coin be invited to preside, which was carried
unanimously and that gentleman took the
chair. The organization of the meeting was
then completed by the choice of John Boyden
as Secretary.
Mr.. Lincoln then addressed the assemblage
in BRET but forcible manner. He said the
position he was called to occupy, was alto
gether unanticipated by him, and he was to-
tally unprepared to give expression to the SEN
timents of his heart. He could not forbear,
however, as a citizen Of Worcester, returning
his cordial acknowledgements to the Mayor of
the city, for the promptitude and efficiency
which had been displayed by him in the try
ing emergencies of yesterday, and thanking
him for the propriety of his conduct in call
ing this meeting, that the sympathy which is
shared by every individual in the community,
may thus find expression, not in words only,
but in substantial plans for the relief of the
sufferers. Upon former similar occasion, a
meeting was held in this hall, but all the ca
lamities we have had to deplore, in all his long
experience, were not SO great as that, to con-
slider which, we had met to-day.
In addition to private calamities, the less of
property. and the personal injuries of many of
our citizens, sustained, while heroically exert
ing themselves to stay the progress of the con-
migration, there were other considerations not
to be lost sight Of, and he feared that the con-
sequent suffering would not terminate in any
short period Of time. Such a calamity as
this strikes blow at the enterprises which
were building us up, and undermines the
foundations of our prosperity. For it is to
these enterprises, and the zeal, intelligence,
and industry OF those who conduct them that
the city owes its progress and prosperity more
than to all else besides. 1t will require the wis.
dom of all the charity and beneyolence of all, tC
repair the losses that have been sustained, but
none could doubt for a moment, that knew
the character Of our people, we should rise
above It. Mr.. Lincoln remarks were warmly
applauded and were concluded by request
Tor any citizen, who had any thing to say, tc
come forward and occupy the time.
The Mayor placed in the Chairman's hands
the city documents, showing the action of tn,
City Government in the matter, had, at
meeting, held an hour previous. The,
were read for information, and will be foun,
under the appropriate head in another col
umn.
Rev. DR.. Hill said that he could not hest
tate, ON an occasion like this, to express hi
warmest sympathy for his fellow citizens, o
whom this great calamity had immediatel
fallen; but, as it was a time for action, an
not speeches, he should make no words, bu
offer series of resolutions, that he had pre-
pared just before he came to the meeting.-
He concluded his remarks by moving tn
adoption of the following resolutions:
Resotued, That, acknowledging, as we do, our grea
indebtedness to the industry enterprise and wort
Of the Mechanics OF Worcester, for the prosperity
high character of this city, sympathize with them
the great loss which they sustained by the desrucdv
hr3 of yesterday.
Resolued, That measures be taken to raise by sub
scrption, contribution, otherwise such shall
oe necessary to supply the wants of the sufferers
their families.
o. fifteen members, cooperate with the Committee
the City Council already appointed, to take all
measures to carry into effect the above resolutions.
The resolutions were ably seconded by Hon.
Thomas Kinnicutt His speech was brief, but
earnest and hopeful, and well calculated to
inspire with confidence and courage any who
might feel inclined to despair, under the crush
ing weight of their misfortunes. He spoke
ieeilngly Of the wants and privations of those
who are SO suddenly bereft of property and
employment. No city in the country, said he
is so much indebted to the mechanics, for all
that she has been, and is, as our own; and, b,
the blessing Of God, what they have done il
the past, they will repeat in the future. Who
that knew anything of the deep feeling of sym
pathy that pervaded the community, woul,
for moment believe that her prosperity wa
to be permanently affected, or that these ru
ihed buildings must not at once rise from thei
ashes.
At the close of Judge Kinnicutt's remarks
the resolves were UNANIMOUSLY adopted.
A committee, consisting of Messrs. Jo
seph Mason, Judge Kinnieutt, William I
Fox, Isaac Goddard, Henry Earle, and Re,
Mr.. Hill, was then appointed by the Chair
to nominate the committee of fifteen, in &C
cordance with the last resolution offered b
Mr.. Hill. w s49 81
The Comnitte retired to nominate, an
while it was absent, Hon. Ira NJ. Barton ad
dressed the meeting. He said this was no oc
ession for provoking ones sympathies by pub
lie addresses, they are already as strong as i
consistent with healthy and judicious action
d. -