The Washington union., 1857-06-12
LOCAL NEWS.


tary previously apprehensions, good order
characterized the proceedings
On motion Of Judge Young DR., William Jones was
called to the chair taking which he made his CRATE
full Acknowledgements for the honor thus conferred upon
him ON an occasion interesting He said he would
not enter narration Of the objects and purposes OF
the meeting because he presumed that every present
understood them perfectly but would at proceed to
business.
On motion of Mr. John Thaw Mr. Thomas c. Connolly
was appointed secretary Of the meeting.
Daniel RateIife esq in order to carry out the pur-
poses for which his feIowcitzens had assembled moved
that committee Of FIVE be appointed to prepare resolu-
tons for the consideration of the meeting whereupon
the chair appointed the followng-named gentlemen
Messrs Ratclihe Fendall, Flynn, Major simms, and
Judge Young.
These gentlemen retired for consultation and then
ported the annexed preamble and resolutions
The people Of this country acknowledge in every FORM
the necessity and authority of law sustain sound sta
bic and good government. They know that upon the
authority and force of law they must rely for the protec
ton OF all their rights They know that the efficacy Of
law depends upon its endorsements and that 1t made
the duty those in authority that the law shall be
enforced to the extent of their prerogatiye IL Is not
only the legal but the moral obligation Of all good cit
sustain the supremacy of law and aid in suppress
ing every abuse of its sacred authority:
In view of all these high obligations and the eonse
quences which they lead il with feelings Of deep
regret and indignation that saw, ON the day OF our
municipal elections city invaded by notorious band
of lawless ruans from the city of Baltimore who thrust
themselves into the midst of election proceedings,
brually assaed peaceful citizens assaulted the Off
GERS of elections drove from the polls large number OF
legal voters closed the polls in precincts and with
deadly weapons carried havoc and death through the
ranks that envroned the polls in the orderly and quiet
pursuit of their rights of suffrage They bade defiance 20
all emonstrance and all legitimate authority and had for
/ tnnP q
over the elections the municipal officers and over
the rghtfu operation of law At this stage Of their vo
lent prooeedngs the mayor of the city, finding himself
powerless within the sphere of his municipal
reported the President the condition Of the city and
his inability to afford protection whereupon the Presi
dent promptly and energetcay caused TO be ordered to
the aid Of the mayor part of the military force duty
at the Marine Barracks in this city Therefore,
Reoaf That the thanks of citizens due to the
Chief Magistrate for his ready response to the exgences
of the moment to the mayor OF the city for his activity
and zeal and TO the officers and soldiers of the military
corps for the effective and fobeang execution of their
orders.
Resolved That the beneficial results of this opportne
step of Executive authority commend to praise
evincing obedience to constitutional obligations which
make il his duty that the laws faithfully
cuted and fail to command the respect and admi
ration of the friends of order everywhere
Rorea That the citizens of Washington indebted
to the instrumentaIites that thus legally properly,
and efficiently employed by the proper authorities the
day Of election for the prompt dispersion of the mob for
the restoration OF and tne quiet ustn-
guished the closing scenes OF the polls,
Resotred That the gratitude of community is due
the press of this city and throughout the country for
the prompt and ready rebuke they administered to the
lwess disturbers of peace the day of election
well as the just praise awarded to the President and
those acting under his authority for the timely military
aid extended to city at the call of the mayor.
| The resolutions having been read,
Mr. Ratclite came forward and addressed the meeting
substantially as follows
| Felow-ctzens, had something to do with these
resolutions it is perhaps expected that should present
my views in support of them. Before doing so, permit
say this is melancholy occasion which brings us
together-one which deplore than do.
But cannot resusctate the dead cannot relieve
the suffering which has been brought by the recent out
rages of the innocent of our ellowcitizens We
come together to express condemnation of the
pursued by the foreign desperadoes who invaded the
rights of the citizens of Washington; wish in the
most unqualified terms to set seal of condemnation
on the act to deter all who may hereafter be similarly
disposed to deeds of violence
The call for this meeting has met with opposi-
ton not because of the objects which had in view,
but il was mere question of time. And unfortunately
that nterpositon has had the tendency TO lessen the
number which otherwise would have assembled on this
occasion The motive for requesting our ellowcitizcns
to keep away from this meeting was, believe innocent
and pure, but there misrepresentation the part
of those who thus advised 1t is question of time say
these gentlemen submit TO you, ellowcitiZenS, Whcn
is the e except the PRESENT. The reaction which has
l taken place has thrOwn on the pubic mind KIND
of calm which perhaps viii never occur again. In
view of the fact that the grand jury will
meet not expected that there would be any dis
turbance The friends and sympathize of the rioters
would interfere lest they might be conounded with
the guilty. And hence relieved from such APP
prehension. How shall prevent re-enactment of
those scenes BY putting the seal Of condemnation upon
them now am not ready to believe that every indi-
ydua belonging to the nothing party countenancc
the act of these ragamuns bloody fellows from
Baltimore This city | do not believe is to be the
Gomorrah of the country which shall not be spared
unless a certain number of just men shall be found
therein [Iaughterl Let us leave these disturb
ers of the public peace to the ministers Of Justice.
You, gentlemen, have had proclamation from the
mayor telling you not to come together. What igno-
rance and folly there in the suggestion when we
look the quiet order, and expression OF this
blyl
We do not come here to endorse President Buchanan
Doubtless he said every high toned gentleman would
have said ~ want no endorsement came to your
lief with the promptitude of Jackson = and, like As-
tides when it proposed to elevate him to proud
position, II repose on my conscious worth. APP
plausG
We come to yndicae ourselves not TO praise the Pres
dent and thank him and the constituted authorities
for their timely aid in suppressing the disturbances
Gentlemen deem it unnecessary TO say anything fur
her We not together for the purpose of indulg
ing in long speeches. and certainly not to improper
or harsh expressions but merely pass resolutions as
record to go down postery, and in yndcaon of
conduct
After Mr. Radcliffe concluded his remarks of which the
above is condensed account the resolutions were
passed. and the meeting peacefully separated