The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-21
UNION DEFENCE COMMITTEE.
REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

eINnAL RnrROsPECr OF Ire LAB0RS-REfORT TO
TIE COMMON COUNCIL OF DlGBURsExnNrs FkoA
THE MLLI0H DOLLAR FUHD-RgGhENTs TO DE-
PARr POR WARRINGTON, AND Those TO BIB IN
EPECTHD-CONDlTl0Ns ON WHICH REGIMENTS wiLL
BE ACCKPTxD FOR IMMEDIATE SERVICE, ETC.
Tho executive branch Of the Union Defence Committee
met yesterday afternoon and presented their first report
to the General Committee, which met at later hour II
read, as follows
UNION DEFENCE COMMITTEE OF THE CITIZENS OF
INV YoRx, May 90, 1851.
In conformity with the usual practice Of committees,
and from sense duty TO their constituents, the Exec
utye Committee respectfully submit the following
mass meeting Of the citizens Of New York was
yened general call Of the people, ~ Union Park, on
Saturday, the 2o;h IN. day Of April last non, ,., .,d
remarkable great exigency had arisen in the public
Affairs Of the country. The constitution and laws had
been infringed contest had commenced which threat.
ened the very existence OF the national authority civil
war, In the form Of armed rebellion was about 70 be
wsged under such fearful auspices that every loyal ct
felt it TO be his bounden duty 70 rally in some way 70
the support Of his country.
The appeal for aid in the emergency came from the ex
ecutve head OF the nation and the answer was that OF
united people, jealous Of the rights and faithful TO the
principles which had given TO them long career Of pros
perty and name conspicuous among the nations OF the
Inc meeting Of The citizens Of New York gave the i'm
pnlse to general eoIsing in 'he loyal States Of the
spirit simultaneously eynced in the West, has already
checked the progress Of rebellion and 70 great extent
restored the confidence recently so seriously shaken in
the strepgth and permanercy of institutions Mil
lions sympathizpg friends Of constitutional govern
ment have jon ed in this great movement of patriotism
and strors array Of 10y al States and communities now
stand side by eide with New York in resoiute de.
termination 10 put down rebellion, and despite all peri,
and at whatever COST to maintain the honor and uphold
the flag Of the country
change in public feeling and in the condition Of
public affairs has been wrought In short month It
may not be deemed out of place or Improbable TO re-
view briefly the which have led to this sudden
reaction out Of which has grown so confident hope IN
the future
BY the action Of the people Of New York meet
ing assembled committee WAS appointed, consisting Of
twenty six citizens to whose number SIX others
subse quently added The objects sought to be accom-
pished by the appointment Of this committee,
stated In the resolution adopted by the meeting
represent the citizens the collection Of funds and
the transaction Of such other business in aid of the
mens Of the government as The public interest may re-
qaTe.n
A. the moment of their appointment the committee
found civil raging portions Of the army and navy
seriously demora1zed treason working it's will upon the
property and tag OF the country, and the capital Of the
nation, with all its treasury Of archives and history
lying almost at the mercy OF an unscruPuoas assaant
rendered without shOt fired In their defence bodies OF
troops had laid down their In dishonor and in the
judgment OF the world serious appyehensons were enter
tanned that upjustihable rebellion might become
ceesfuf revolution.
The Union Defence Committee entered upon their du
ties at this fearful uncture Their first act to invite
the necessary contributions Z, sustain their efforts in the
public service The response was given with cheerful
commercial community of New York whenever just
appeal is made 10 its munihcence.
But another response promptly made tothe call for
aid which struck the key note Of patriotism throughout
the country The city Of New York in its corporate capac
through the action Of its municipal authorities upon the
mendaion OF its chief magistrate, contributed
million OF dollars be applied TO the equipment and out
fit Of it's soldiers for the field and for limited period to
the support Of the families Of those who should go forth
in the cause Of the country No citizen of New York will
turn the page which records that benelcent act
without feeling strongly than ever before mis- pride
tnottA in HE nnhla n
which has thus honored its and illustrated its annals
The next act of the Union Defence Committee was to
create of its number Executive Committee Of ten
bers which subsequently extended to thirteen. To
this stated body assigned the responsible trust OF
rendering available to the public service the large
placed IN the treasury OF the committee the
confidence repo3ed by this proceeding calls for an ac
acknowledgement TO the constituent body, faithful dis
charge OF all delegated duties and responsibilities and
reports from time to time Of the progress and results Of
their abors.
in ths, their first formal report the Executive
Committee have deemed 1t not out OF place TO
to the circumstances under which they
entered upon their onerous duties or 70 aude brief
TONS Since their organization as committee twenty
nine days have elapsed, during which period they
are matters Of record They have divided the various
subjects of labor among their number In sub Committees
from which special reports have been made In detail and
may be considered in connection with this more general
statement Of facts.
Three populations from the committee have at different
times visited the seat Of the national government TO
press with respectful Difference the views they enter
tanned TO communicate information Of Importance the
public service and to perform other duties which could
safely be committed to other hands They have times
employed special agents TO obtain and communicate rfor
nation to stimulate and keep alive the growing spirit Of
loyalty and thus TO accomplish eectualy the work
trusted TO them
But there is view to be submitted which goes be-
yond the details OF business and becomes matter
for grateful reflection and for the records Of history
The Executive authorities OF the State, actuated by
similar impulse with that which marked the conduct OF
the city had united with the moving
OF the people IN giving their aid and encouragement 70
the patriotic efforts Of the country 1t will not however,
be deemed arrogant the committee state that mainly
owing TO the excrtons OF the city citizens Of New
York, and 70 the zeal and efficiency OF eminent military
officers army has been placed in the field armed and
equipped for the defence of the national In short
space Of time and with less expenditure Of money,
than 80 far as any record shows has ever before been
accomplished by any government matter how great
its power how abundant its resources however pow
erful the motive for it's action.
With generous lraLkness which confers honor upon
the exalted stations they ILL., the chief executive officers
OF the national government and the distinguished COM
mandOg General Of its army have been pleased TO say
that the safety Of the national capital and the preserve
ton Of the archives Of the government, at moment
when both we're seriously menaced may fairly be attr
bued TO the prompt and efficient action OF the State and
city of New York united with the vigorous Efforts Of the
noble Commonwealth Of Massachusetts devoted to the
same disinterestec and patriotic objects
The condition 81 public affairs n materially
changed. The Military and Naval Departments Of the
country are In the hande Of competent and loyal officers
order has been restored vgor and poper Of the
obligations Of dnty prevail In the publr ec-r-h ,he
people jealous Of their rights ana nberes are con
vent 10 tne uutes o government n nAuds OF
trusted authorities and the time apprsche~ when the
Union Defence Committee may property consider the
propriey Of asking to he relieved from duty which
was unsought ) Of oheerfully accepted
Tho consciousness OF having endeayorel 10 discharge
efficiently and faithfully responsible u AIT than
repays the Executive Committee for the great OF
labor imposed upon them While the exists which
calls for continued effort their part, the demand will
be met in the hope and expectation that by vgor and
prompt decision OF action at any pressing emergency the
unjust and ndeiensble aggressions the public aathor
y Of the country may be checked, and peace, order,
prosperity and national honor survive the dangers Of
AIMED rebellion.
~he Executive Committee in placing before the Union
Defence Committee Of the citizens OF New York this gene
raj statement OF their proceedings and the results OBJ
tanned by them venture ask approval Of their action
and feel greater satisfaction than will arise from the
sanction OF the body from whom their authority
rived Respectfully submitted.
SIMON DRAPER, Charm HAMILTON FISH, er offcio
TliE0. DEbON, er otfcio. JOHN A. DIN,
ABIfI A. Low, er o6cio. JAMES s. wADswoRrH,
MOSES H. GRlNNkIJa ISAAC BELL,
A. @. RICHARDS CHAs. II. MARSH ALL,
RICH N. BT.ATCHEORD, JOHN JACOB ASTOR,
q arr err NJ MI rAs,Nx,r Co.