The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-04-24

WAR FEELING At THE CAPITAL

Hall, on Thursday evening, April
ls. 1861, to interchange view. upon the present
rebelous state of the country, and to take such
action in the premises as might be deemed
proper.
The meeting was called to order BY his Honor
John A. Kerr, Mayor of the city. who briefly
ex Explained the object of the meeting.
Hon. E. R. Merri6eld was chosen as Chairman
of the meeting. but was compelled to decline
serving on account of i'll health
Hon. D. C. Leach vas then chosen as Chair
man, and n. B. Jones as Secretary.
On motion of Hon. J. E. Tenney, committee
OF FIVE was appointed to draft resolutions express
sive Of the sense of the meeting.
The Chairman appointed Messrs. J. E. Tenney,
E. R. Merrifeld, D. L. Case, F. LaRrue, and 5.
r. Greene as such committee.
Messrs. LaRue and Greene not being present,
their places were filed by the appointment OF
Messrs s. d. Bingham and E. A. Thompson.
The committee retired, and after a short alb.
sence returned, and through their chairman re-
ported the following resolutions, which, the
exception of the last one, as adopted at the late
meeting of the citizens of Detroit, and which
were introduced by the Hon. Chas. l. Walker, of
that city, whose patriotism no one could ques-
ton:
Whereas, section of this Union is in arms
levying actual war against the Federal Govern
ment
Resolred, That We, the citizens of Lansing,
irrespective of party, ard waving all opinion AS
to the causes which have produced this unhappy
strife, and to the proper mode of redress, hereby
declare that it is the duty of every citizen to
sustain the arms CT the government SO long as
actual war exists therefore, it Is further
Resoived, That We HEREBY pledge our individ
ual loyalty to the maintenance OF the government
and its laws and in the present crisis We avow
our united purpose, if need be, to devote our
lives our fortunes and our sacred hOnors, to the
support of the integrity of that government and
the honor of its flag.
Resoiyed That as Gov. Blair has called fol
| volunteers, We the citizens of Lansing, pledgs
ourselves, that we will support the families o
those among us who NAV enlist in the service o.
| their country.
The resolutions were received with loud anC
prolonged applause.
Loud calls were made for Hon. d. l.. Case
who came forward and addressed the meeting a
| follows
Mr.. Chairman and Fellou Citizens:-I sup
posed had given sufficient expression to III.
views through the resolutions reported from thu
committee without saying anything farther upol
this occasion. | heartily endorse every sen,i
ment those resolutions contain, and the spri
manifested in them meets my hearty approval
This is not time to encourage speech-making-
il is rather time for action. 1t is the first tim
in my life have ever met my fellow citizens up
on an occasion ike the present. Was the lik
ever known in the history Of any country upol
the face Of the Globe? Have We any histor
that informs US o. any people ever having bee
placed in such position as we are low placed
Does history afford us AL example like the pres
eut, where men, having all that man could desire
the most noble form of government ever devised
where peace, plenty and happiness abound, an
where liberty dwells, to forsake all upon a mer
pretense, and plunge headlong into ruin, auarcb
and despair: That such a case now exists "
have too much evidence
Fellow citizens, what course shall We pursue
We should proceed with caution and care.
behooves every man to weigh well what he say
in an emergency like the present. Shall We S
down in quietude and allow our government
go to ruin? know your feelings too well, fe
low citizens, to barbOr such an idea for a IN
ment We have but one course to pursue, an
that is to support our present government. Al
not the inhabitants OF Lansing ready TO rally
the support of that government Cries
yes" Eyes" As for myself, am ready, al
shall do so to the utmost of my ability, and whe
I feel otherwise, hope God will deprive me
the breath that supports my body. [AI
plause. | trust the inhabitants of Lansing "
not be wanting in courage and patriotism in tn
Z emergency. know l speak the feelings of Il
community when say that so far a. their abb
, ties will permit, they will endeavOr to hand dow
, this government to posrerity in the same pul
: and noble form that it was handed down to US :
Loud applause, and cries Of "that's sol
Hon. J. Z. Tenney was next called upon, wi
, came forward and addressed the meeting substa
TALLY as follows
Mr.. Chairman The time for talking is sho
the time for action is present. We have live
as nation in profound peace for fifty or six
years, and now, by no act Of ours, civil war, f,
the first time in the history of the Republic.
upon Us. Six or seven States belonging to tn
: government, who, when they came into this q
ion, took the solemn oath of allegiance, al
: pledged themselves to the support of the cons,
tuition and laws of the United States, are no
found endeavorng to break up this sacred cor
pact Of States, and have resolved to withdra
from the confederacy for alleged grievances, al
that too without even asking for redress The
have inaugurated = civil war; they have commi
ted the first overt act against the government
they have fired the first gun. They have seize
the forts and property belonging to the Unite
States. They have threatened not only to ho
those forts, but &c march upon and attack ii
Federal Capital. We are in sad emergency.
All temporzing should be laid aside. Til
The time has come when We are to know whetl
Or We have government or not We are Gale
upon to vindicate the constitution of our father
We are called upon to throw aside all party fee
ings. We are called upon to take up arms i
defense of our country. Shall appeal in val
to you, citizens of Lansing, to take up arms i
support of the government? know full well
shall not. Means and sustenance are needed fo
the support of those who shall volunteer the
-, I'll e ~.