The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-12-31
From the Philadelphia Inquirer, Dec. 80.


The Union Mem Of Alexandria Have . Sup
per--6peeches and Spsakers--Some Deubl
Expressed Unionism on the Half-Ehell.
A large Union supper was given on Fri
day night n Alexandria. by several Uniol
men of the place. among whom were Stephen
Shinn, President Of the Union Association y
Alexandra. Mr.. Massey, the Postmaster
and others. Invitations were extended to .
number of officers who were quartered il
that city-Col. Geo. P. Mclean, Assstan
Adj Gen. Freese, Rev. Mr.. Clothier, Chaplain
of the Eighty eighth Pennsylvania regiment
Captain Morris, commander of tho Pensac ,
Ia, &c. Several gentlemen from Reading
Pa. who happened to be in Alexandra for
the night, were also invited to be present
and see the manifestations of loyalty from
those who had periled their lives and their
property in defence of their country g rights,
under the most trying circumstances.
1t appeared, by the remarks of Mr.. Mas
sey, that out of voting population of fifteen
hundred in Alexandria. seven hundred of
that number are now in the Confederate ar.
my, or otherwise engaged in aiding them, ia
different parts of the South. Mr.. Massey
proceeded to say that if the General Govern
ment had sent troops to Alexandria one
month before she did, nearly the whole Of
those seven hundred would now be in the
Federal army. He said that the manner in
which so large number of men happened
to be found at this time in SO uDjustifable
position, was in consequence of their having
ct first organized themselves into sort Cf
Home Guard, and then being ordered out Of
the city by the State authorities, for short
distance, under the pretence of being placed
in "camps Of instruction." Having been
removed from the city proper, other troops
from more southerly sections, were sent 10
to take their places. Whom Ellsworth and
his men came down, these foreign Virginia
soldiers reiterated from the town, and the Al
exandrians being in their "camps of in
strnction," some distance away, were unable
tn return, as large numbers of them desired
to do. Assistant Aijutant General Frecse
made some remarks adapted to the occasion,
and I>mplimented the mem bers of the Union
Association Of Alexandria for their labors in
behalf of loyalty and the maintenance of re-
publican institutions. He offered, in con-
clusion, the health of the gallant Colouel of
the Eighty-e ghtk Pennsy lvaniA. ~
This eccasioned a reply from Col. Mclean,
during which he stated to the audience his
views with regard to what is termed here the
"Union Association" He remarked that it
was the first time an opportunity had been
afforded SO propilious as the present. He
had much intercourse with large number
Of those who claimed to be "Union men,"
and would not try to conceal the fact that, in
his opinion. too many of them were of the
milk and water class. 10 hopes of creating
more general and hearty feelingof loyalty
in that city. John G. Underwood, himself
refugee from Virginia tyranny, was request
ed to visit them, and encourage the lorna
tion Of q company of " Home Guards"
The endeavor was made, and Col. Freese
appointed mastering officer. What was the
result! Out of about Eve hundred or more
of the so-called "Union Associa-
tion," but three offered themselves as will
ing to be enrolled in the Home Guard. At
ter all their meetings. their patriotic speech
es, and their loud talk about the Union.
three only came up and were ready to keep
step with the music for the Union. Asss-
liant Adjutant- General Freese offered some
objections to portion of the remarks of the !,
previous speaker, and referred to individual
cases where it was manifest no hypocrisy
was in use; but that it must be borne in re- ,
membrance that in the whole number of
members there were many who were halt, -,
lame, blind, aud others whose positions ,
would not admit Of their becoming attached .
to active service. Col. Mclean thought
that although there might be many who
we're lncapacitated from duty in vari.
Gus Ways. they were in pitable plight if
ons hundred could not be raised out of the
whole. He did not desire to hatter them,
he did not come there for any such purpose,
but simply 10 give an unqualified opinion Of
bO al