Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-04-16
GREAT MASS MEETING.
ALL PARTIRs RRPREsENEBD.
VAR warn WARM

MslOdsOn He'll was filled last evening Il
response TO the call published yesterday, an,
hundreds went away unable to gain admiS
sion. The meeting was wrought up to th
highest pitch Of enthusiasm, and the OPiu
ion Of ell men Of all parties was the same.
Mayor Flint presided, and stated the OBJ
jest Of the call and of the meeting in fev
words.
Loud calls then arose from the aueieno,
for various speakers.
Judge spaulding moved that cOmmitte'
of Eve be appointed BY the Chair TO repOr
resolutions.
The following gentlemen were appointed
Hon R. P. spsuldihg, Merrill Barlow, Esq.
VIM. slads, Esq, Hon. F, T. Backus, Gen
J. W. Fitch. 4fm
Gen. Fitch not being present at the time
n. A. King, Esq, was substituted.
During the absence Of the committee,
Gen. Fitch was loudly called for, came for
ward and spoke as follows:
GESTLENnE Pm not here for the purpose
Of making q speech, and even if willing to
attempt it, have not the language to ex-
press myself upon this occasion. have
been, and now am, opposed to the present
political power. and probably no man in
Cleveland used his feeble means to dofeat it
stronger that I. But the time has come
when every man should forget party and
remember his country. (Cheers.) A eoun-
try, the boast and pride of every citizen
respected abroad, and pointed to as a model.
II remains for the government to say If that
hegwe have so long pointed to as an en-
blem Of national honor, shall be struck
(Crisf Of mol mol Whatever bitter party
chickering's have passed, should now be for
gotten; and it should be the duty and aim
ofevery good citizen to maintain the integ
rity and pride Of our glorious nation. Tire
mendous aPPlause.l
Gen. Crowell, the next speaker, said -
Fellow-eitizenS-I, like the preceding gen.
tlemsn, did not come here to make speeches,
but 70 join in an expression of opinion with
you concerning our duty in the present cri-
sis. Treason is abroad in the land, and the
effort is made, boldly and openly, by the
South, to trample in the dust that banner
which has for so many years waved over and
protected Us. Cheers. You have assem-
bled here to express an opinion as whether
or not this thing shall be permitted and en-
dured. You have learned by the news
which has been flashed over the wires with
in the last few hours, from SOnth Carolina,
that they have dared to tear down and to
trsmple upon our flag, because we attempted
TO carry provisions 70 the forts of the United
States. Shall we not maintain the perpetu-
ity Of our eountry7 trust that voice
will 60 forth from this city that shall cheer
the hearts Of those who are now striving to
Nrnmr. ma kov-- 81 h ,F
[Loud applause.
Hon. D. x. Cartier said:
FELLOw CITrEENs: We are in the midst Of
Z great revolution; and we are not alone in
this, for revolution is likewise now spread
ing its force over Europe. But in one par
ticularj We do stand alone; we are in arms;
NOS 70 acquire liberty, but to protect it,
You behold, IN this coantFy, an effort TO
break It down for the purpose Of maintain
ing despotism. Along the Mediterranean
you behold a people revolving for liberty,
but here in what We have been wont to call
the cradle of ibery, there are those who in
stigate revolution for despotism. They
would erect on the pedestal of violence an
etornal dssPOtism. 1t was early discovered
in the history Of the government, that lib
srty and despotism could not travel hand in
hand, and the sappers and miners have been
ct work undermining. This has at last
ripened into fixed reality. Our lot has
been cast in the midst Of the troubles, and
It remains TO Us 10 put it down. Shall we
do itG loud cries of yes.) Two separate
nations cannot exist between these inland
seas and the gulf. II is the mission of the
people 70 carry personal rights and human
liberty to their highest attainment, and
you cannot maintain a despotism on one
side Of an air line, and liberty on the
other.
We have 10 set down tonight and surren-
der cur government and surrender the
principals in its charge, or else we must
lght. (Cries Of fight, fght.) But our enc
mics say you can't fight. (It is false try
1l y They say you are towards; and let me
tell you in he peaceful manner in which we
have lived for 90 many years, there is very
little to prove that We can fight. The only
record we can bring 10 bear is the record Of
our fathers. In every way that ingenuity |
would invent, and, N 4lice inspire, we have
been insulted in Congress, in the highways
md ct every corner. They have but a sin
gle sentiment, and that is, slavery. But, |
fellow citizens, all have to say is this-I |
I'm ready to cast aside ell my own peculiar |
sentiments, or at least to suspend them while
We have q common enemy. With Demo- |
orats would be e Democrat, and with the |
. Republican and for Gods |
sake then, let not the enenmy put his foot |
upon our rights while we nave strength left |
. 6ght for them. Continued applause.)
At this point the Committee on resolutions
returned and reported the following:
The citizens Of Cleveland, Ohio, convened
without respect TO party, on Monday, April |
18th, 1851, express their sentiments touch |
ng the present condition Of the country as
ioll0Ws.
Resolved, That popular government
n America il in imminent danger from the
assaults Of misguided men.
Resolved, That whatever may be our po-
itical and party predictions, we agree in
me determination 70 stand by the Corstitu-
ion and laws Of our country, and protect
he government against toes, internal and
sxternal, ct every hazard.
Resolved, That the American Flag recent
y stricken to the dust by disloyslty and re-
1ellion, shall be raised again, by patriotic
devotion, and the Eagle be made TO soar in
higher flights, and the stars 10 shine with in
sreased brilliancy in the realms ef space.
Resolved, That we approve of the call for
volunteers BY the President, and hereby
70 the Legislature Of the State,
70 make appropriations Of men and money
commensurate with the urgency of the oc-
,ssion, and the magnitude Of the interests ct
take.
Resolved, That each city, town and ham
let in Ohio, be requested to hold meetings
With view 10 uphold the arm Of the Gov
,rnment, BY an assurance that it has the peo-
pie for It's support.
The resolutions were unanimously adopt
,d BY the meeting.
It being announced that Hon. B. F. Wade
vas in the hall, ne was called to the stand.
Judge spalding, who had been previously
,sllSd for, said:
l have thousand times thought Of late Of
! sentiment which was expressed by dis
,inguished naval officer when he said, " Our
country, right or wrongs" and though there
nay seem TO be some contradiction in the
EordB, cannot but feel thus tonight when
look about me here and see my fellow citi-
.ens, men who differ On questions of expedi-
sncy, come forward as one man, ready, if
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