New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-01-19
SWISS MASS MEETING.
Defiance to Prussia.
MATERIAL AID FOR SWITZERLAND.

On Saturday evening a thousand Swiss, assembled
in mass meeting at Delmonicos showed by their
pestness and the enthusiasm Of their devotion how
people whose country koows Slavery loves the land
Of its birth.
The meeting was called by Committee for the
"purpose Of considering the present condition Of the
" country" The room set apart for the meeting by
the patriotism Of Mr.. Demonico, himself an Italian
Snitzer wss crowded at the hour Of opening II was
decorated with a large shield bearing the Federal
cross on red field, and wreathed about with the mot
toes; "Un pour tous, Ious pour an. Got rnd Vat~-
land" Zach for all all for each. Gcd and Father
land This shield was surmounted by the clasped
hands of Swiss Fraternity and supported by the Swiss
and American Asgs--the Swiss banner bearing the
motto: "IOcle, k % F9Vvier, Is4s." The shield and
Hsgs hung behind the Presdents chair.
At7:l5 NJ. GEIssnsSs Of Aargau called the meet
ing TO order, and introduced
The Rev. n. PIGUrr, who offered prayer 10
French. He said that they all Switzers, and
III. blessings of Providence had always been showered
upon them. II seemed that King Of the Ssth OF
Europe intended to deprive the Switzers Of their
freedom; and they evoked the King OF Heaven to
show this earthly king that the liberty of people was
of more value in His sight than the caprice Of
monarch.
M. GirssxASy then said, also in Fren,h: As the
viz. the 18th inst have the honor Of Openog the
meeting by inviting you TO proceed to the nomination
of Off 10 give regularity go deliberations and 10
stamp the meeting with ali that dignity which IL due
the sOenD occasion 10 which We owe 90 large con-
Of our compatricts. have the honor, gentle
men, to propose for your acceptance President in the
persOn Of one of most respected oompatrots-one
who bss long b. en- distinguished among for the gen
erous bsse with which he has always accepted and
aided every beDeficent or patriotic movement AZ tbs
suggestion Of many Of our iellO~. counryDea have
the honor 10 propose the President Of this meeting
our bonOrsd fellow citizen, NJ. GUILLAUnE MERLE.
The nomination received with loud applause.
When the baud vote with which the S.ss Away. de-
eide their differences and their unanlmities had been
taken
II MERLE, who ia, we believe, brother OF the his
torsn, j. ii. Merle DAubigne, spoke in French fol-
lowe: Dear cOnierderstes-If ever have regretted
not beng endowed with the divine gin OF eloouence,
is at this moment, when would wish TO nckno Wedge
in suitable manner the honor you have jdst d0ns me
in calling u preside over this patriotic assembly.
II have accepted THE position 1t is bee suse relying
on your Indulgence and on your appreciation OF my
earnest goodwill and zeal for the csuse doubt not
that you will excuse any involuntary short
conDes or any mistake | might make In en-
d.avorng TO fulfill the new duty 10 whch
your free ard hind wishes have jast called me. we
here convened my dear eonedera,es, TO consa 20
geiher srd TO mutually enlghen Ourselves respecting
he situation Of fatherland to day, endangered By
Il hottie attitude of the Prussian G0vernm Int and
also 10 tax into consideration Whist can be done for IT,
ard bow Distant az from bretnren and
ends most oecually help them in this their
exposure Ierhsps even now to all the horrofs of war;
Ours s not apnt Of sggres'i and We rely much on
The eisdom of'he Federal Government and particularly
its FIN ntss bravosl 10 bring back the government
Of the King Of Prusss 10 more just and moro moderate
couDseIs. Still happen what may, we are Swiss before
all things else }rsvOs We have changed our resi-
denoe but We nave not changed our hearts How'd ap
pause and the very idea OF an event, even though IL
be certain, that might place our country in danger,
has csnsed US TO answer bs call and hasten 10 ts hos
tahl old love for Liberty and la
cependence Of our dear native land is awakened al
the fret sOund Of alarm, and everything about
pes hy to the relief of brethren, If need be-
tor certainly, surrounded by the free air which We
breathe and in the nidet of the Institutions which
about Us, the Ssss cannot forget their nstive lsnd
Everywhere on bese shorej liberty civil and religious,
reigus suprerne everywhere here, rs at hons, man
ees hirnief and not mach [bravosIj every
where also stheIe alested lively and sincere mpa
thy; every zheTe encouraged by manifestations
IA. mOet UDequ vOcalof pnblic spin. nimca 10 tyrsn
ny sDd oppression IN every form lApplsusel What We
bau decide night will have ecno 80 the fne,
Jress peueiraes for every where il Is have friends.
Let u then be wise and moderate but also irm and
determined; let DO one yield 20 sentment of fear nor
let any one be carried away by the nQetoosity Of his
feelings or sentiments 5ensatonl believe my
desr conf 6eTa'es that the time has arrived for pro-
ceeoiDg 70 busDess Propose to you, hs, % const-
tDie bOaTd committee 10 tske into confederation
what be- under the present circumstance
10 present such resolutions suitable 70 be
adopted by tbis assembly. Allow me sgsin 70 thsnk
You for the confidence you have placed Ia me, and ID
express d sentment-uy wish:
May tie banner Of the float till the end Of tine
On our Tree mountains and may il always lead the
brave Of Hevels in the road to glory and honor
a. it did OF yoIe at Morgarten Sempaeh and Aors'.
lTTOitDged braves
TIE ProvsiC ba Committee then presented the follow
ing csst Of the Board proposed
NJ. II o. MERLE President, Geneva
A. Islin Bale. J. Gaedln Geneva
Henri nai,et Nsulchs..l A. GuefbsT. Berna-
John Syx Zurich T. Doher, 81 ozlL
LorenI1 D,luopeo TSrino A. Rasch AppeBzsn
Laurent DeeOppet, Vsud a O-i.smsnn Asftaa-
Oeo. CouTyolsier NeafchstsL T. I. Msran, Basic
These gentlemen were elected with gret en'b u.t"fn.
Tie pressure now became very great; the Chairman
tDLcuCed that they he'd sent TO Tammany Hall, and II