The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1860-12-14

dependence Square.
1t was opened by prayer, by Bishop Potter.
Mayor Henry presided, assisted by large
number of Vice Presidents and Secretaries
the names comprising a large number of
wealthy and influential citizens.
Resolutions were offered and adopted
proclaiming attachment and reverence for
the Constitution; earnest and endearing
love for the Union; deeply deploring the
fact that some of the States have placed
upon their Statute books acts evading and
defeating the provisions of the Constitution;
pronouncing such acts violation of SOL
emn compact appealing for their repeal /;
pedging that the Statute books of Pennsyl-
vania shall be carefully searched and every
Statute, if there are any such, evading the
Constitutional rights of sister States, to be
at once repealed; recognizing the obligations
of the Fugitive Slave Law, and recommend
ing the passage of State laws recompensing
the owners of rescued slaves submitting to
the decisions of the Supreme Court, as to
the rights of slave owners; recommending
that the disputed questions be forthwith
| submitted to the Supreme Court ap-
proving of the suggestion of a convention of
the different States contemplating secession,
to suggest q remedy, with the firm convic-
ton that the proposition of such convention
will be received by other States in a frater-
nal and concilatOry spirit appealing to
their brethren in the States contemplating
! secession, to fOrbear; reminding them of the
/ immumerable ties which bind US together as
one people. The resolutions also condemn
the denouncing of slavery in the United
States as it exists.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. I3.-The stage was
gaily decorated with flags all the public
and many private buildings shared in the
display of bunting with appropriate mot
toes. On flag at one of the hotels was
the motto, d" concession before secession" -
Although the meeting was held in the day
time when business is most active, the
gathering was as large as any ever gather
ed in Independence Square, numbering TO-
600. Mayor Henry said we meet to intelH-
gently consider the immediate danger which
threatens the perpetuity of the Union with
out anV partisan or personal motive. This
danger has been brought upon US most rap
idly.
The Republic is still in its infancy, yet we
now meet on the grounds where the Declar
alton Of Independence was proclaj.ned. Wa
depend in our hearts only on tue sovereignty
of the people, and by the prompt efforts OF
the people can this Union be perpetuated.
We meet to declare unshaken confidence in
the Union, and a determination to defend
its integrity He spoke plainly. If any SEN
timents have been proclaimed by any por-
ton of the country against the other they
must be relinquished.
We must restore public sentiment to the
old standard point, and the misplaced ap-
peals from our pulpits, lecture rooms, /
presses, and against a section OF our COM
mon country must be frowned upon. (Ap- |
plsuse.) 1t has been these violent appeals /
that have mainly brought about this sad /
state of affairs. We must preserve the |
Union at all hazards. We will do well to /
repel this oficious intermeddling of our
neighbors. So long as our social institutions
do not contravene the principles of the /
Federal compact, none may justly inter |
fere with or righteously denounce them.
The resolutions were amended to a call
for q general convention of all the States !
instead of the seeding States.
James V. Ingcrsoll then addressed the
meeting. He spoke strongly in favor of the /
proposed convention or Congress of dele /
gates from all the States, to be held in the /
Hall of independence. He cautioned the /
people against violence. Unless we have dew /
astating war, we have all to lose by disun- |
ion. 1t is most important that public scnti- |
ment be changed, that we no longer consid- |
er each other from the North and South as |
enemies. He referred TO the speech of Mr. |
Stevens of Georgia, whose name was receiv-
ed with hearty cheers. His kind sentiments |
we most heartily reciprOcate and echo back |
to the people of Georgia and the South.
We must repeal those hostile acts of the /
assemblies, passed by eleven States, interfer-
ing with Southerners in the recovery of |
their property.
We must show our good feeling to the |
South by doing nothing to interfere with
their rights, but everything to assure them
that we are their brothers, friends, and fell
low citizens. 1t is folly to suppose this
country can be divided. 1t must be a Union
in peace or a union in war
Judge Woodward of the Supreme Court
said we must consider calmly the position of
the South and ask whether they may not
be justified in their apprehensions. The
platform of the party which has just succeed
ed in electing its candidate for President is
undoubtedly considered hostile to the insti-
tutions OF the South.
Chas. Lex, city solicitor, said:he had no
doubt that the action of this meeting would
be highly endorsed by majority of those
who cast their votes for the President elect.
He spoke as a Northern man on Northern
soil. In doing so they would not abandon
a principle.
The vote of Pennsylvania was not infu-
enced by the slavery question. The main
issue which the recent contest decided in
this State, was the protection policy. Any
danger to the South would be repelled by
hosts of young men lately conspicuous in
the political clubs of the successful party.
Let the fugitive slave law be implicitly OBJ
served. We may prefer that it should be
slightly modified, but as it is the law of the
land, let US submit to the decision of the
Supreme Court. He only spoke the senti-
ments of the Governor elect. Faint cheers
for Curtin. He read telegraphic dispatch
from the Governor of Maryland to Mayor
Henry, denying the report that he intended
to convene the Legislature of that State.
Mayor Henry read dispatch from a meet
ing of Philadelphians now holding at the
Fifth Avenue Hotel, New York, approving
the action of their native city.
Theodore Cuyler, President of the Select
Council, spoke earnestly and patriotically on
the questions ofthe day. This was no hour
for elimination or recrimination; forgetting
-