The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1859-12-20
Meeting of John Brownies in N
YOrk--AlmOsr a Riot.

On Thursday evening about two Thousand
person-white and black assembled in the
Cooper Institute to tender their sympathies
to the families of John Brown and his asse
ciates. In order that this sympathy might
be of substantial form, there was a charge of
twenty-five cents for admission, but notwith-
standing this it appears many persons, mostly
young men, were present, who did not sym
pathize with the meeting. Speeches swere
made by Rev. DR.. Cheever, Wendell Phillips,
Rev. Hiram Mattisoa and Rev. J. X. Sloan, all
of which were ealogistic of John Brown and
he unsuccessful instruction. The proceed
ings, however, were very stormy, and at one
time a riot seemed inevitable. Such was
the confusion that DR.. Cheever was obliged
to cease speaking before he mad half finished
bis address. His speech was Of the violent
character, against Southerners and Union
men at the North, land was received with con-
tinual Kissing and other marks of disappro-
baton. The Herald thus describes the scene
in the lower end of the hall when Cheever
took his seat.
Charles ii. Haswell, ex president of the
BOARD of councilmen, mounted one of the
seats and proposed "three cheers fer the con-
stitution Of the United States" which were
given with great enshusiasm by about 800
oersons At the conclusion of this demon
stration another respectable looking man as
cended seat, evidently laboring under great
excitement at the reasonable sentiments
advanced by Cheever at the other end of the
room, and said, 81 am not going to have my
country run down in this scandalous manner
am a working man, l have shoveled coal all
day,and / will not hear my country spoken OF
10 this way. did not come here to preach
treason" This sentiment was received with
tremendous applause. Still another man ex-
claimed. "Americans! never beard anything
ike this in my lite."
Superintendent Pilsbury advanced from the
'front.' of the platform to the scene of distur
bauce, and stated that order must be main
tanned. eve don't want to listen to trea-
son." was the universal cry of the multitude
in the back part of the edifice, whereupon
three cheers were proposed and given for
voice was heard distinctly begging the crowd
60 be suiet-"Will you be quiet?' "Will
YOU be quiet?" vociferated Pilsbury; but the
Indignation Of the lovers of their country
was so great that they would not be pacifed.
A strong desire was manifested by the oc-
cupants oil the lower part OF the hall to or |
9anize "Union meeting" but as DR.. Chez
YER was about proceeding with his remarks, |
the purpose could not be carried into effect.
Besides, as some of the more cool lovers of |
their country wisely observed, the revolu-
Siopists had hired the hall and had right to
Aold their meetings; but, added he, as soon
as the meeting adjourns,, We can hold our
meeting. This speech had tendency to al
lay the excitement, but only for few mo-
.nents, for the excited multitude called for
cheers for the southern States, amid counter
demonstrations on the part of the sympathi
GERS with John Brown. "Three groans Tor
Abolitionism" were proposed by juvenile
patriot, and the response was heartily com
Piled with. "Three cheers for General
Washington" was the last proposition,
which was received with deafening applause,
After demonstrating with the excited au-
aitors occupying this portion OF the hall
superintendent Pillsbury induced them to
take their seats and listen to the speakers,
aud save an occasional interruption, the re-
guest was complied with. But for the po-
lice there would have been seriops distur-
nance.