The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-05-03
CITY INTELLIGENCE,
MEETING AT THE CORN EXCHANGE.

MEETING AT THE CORN EXCHANGE.
The following notice appeared yesterday morn.
ing in the advertising columns of the daily papers
~ NoTIcE.-A public meeting will be held Thns
day morning at ten o'clock, at the Rooms of the Corr
Exchange, of merchants and citizens of Baltimore in
favor of menoralizng the Legislature have the va
rous Railroad lines of communication through city
and State reopened Immediately for general and full pur
poses of travel
At the hour named there was quite respect able
number Of persons in attendancs, and MIR. William
Woodward moved that the meeting be organized
by calling Wm. Critchton, Esq, to the Chair
which was unanimously carried. Frederick Lev.
ering was appointed Secretary. On taking the
Chair Mr.. CritchtOn said that the gentleman who
| had called the meeting to order much better
suited than himself to preside, and he would have
much preferred if that gentleman had acted as
President.
Mr.. Crichton then read the call as published
above, and remarked that the not"e fully an
nounced the purpose of the meeting 1t is to adopt
some measures looking to a restoration of the
means OF communication leading to the North and
East. All were well aware of the causes which
led to the destruction of the bridges and railroads.
The authorities had ordered their des ruction as
preventive measure and for no other cause. 1t
to prevent renewal of the scene of Friday
the 10Th inst, in which the lives of citizens and
soldiers sacrificed. That cause, it is now
thought, is happily removed, and it was the duty
of the citizens to Immediately turn their attention
to the opening of the several communications and
tnuS restore the 1acllleS Tor transactlng business
Mr.. IL. Stump offered resolution that tie fol-
lowing memorial be distributed throughout the
city, for the signatures of the business men and
other citizens. and that at early day it be pre-
sented to the Legislatures:
1hhs; uRR2drg4fgqEs general assembly Of Aarylaud
respec fully petition your Honorable Body the
immediate rebuilding of the bridges recently destroyed
upon the railroads leading to city; and that all OBJ
strucons to the usua! and general trade and travel upon
the lines of communication with Baltimore be at
moved.
Mr. George KYLE said that he had waited
anxiously with the hope that some older gentleman
would make some remarks, calling attention to the
actual condition of things, but as there appeared
to be to speak, he could not allow the motion
of the gentleman to be put until he had expressed
his dissent. He hoped that those present would
weigh well the effect of the memorial before it was
adopted. Who could say that the course which
prompted the destruction of the bridges was re-
moved. Their reconstruction might tend to
newal of the scenes which all lamented, and per-
haps in a more aggravated form than in the first
instance. The assurances OF the Administration at
Washington, that they would not be used as high
ways for the transportation of troops amounted to
nothing. None of their assurances promises
were to be trusted. Gentlemen should consider
well the consequences which might follow the re-
pairs proposed, and the resolution should not be
hurried to a vote.
Mr. John Smith said that if we were able to fight
the Government, and successfully prevent the
march of the troops through the city, it might be
prudent to allow the communications to remain
closed but if we not able to give battle to
the Government, we had better set about the re-
pair of the bridges. Government will do it, and
we will have to pay for it. 1t would be better if
we set the unemployed labor of the city to work
it. and thus remove element from our midst
which we have cause to fear.
Mr.. Peter Sauerwein said that the authorities
had DESTROYED the bridges so as to prevent COL
lision between the troops of the National Govern.
ment and the citizens. There danger
that such events would take place. He thought
that a large majority of the people of the city
convinced of the utter futility of attempting
to resist the authority of the National Government
Trade and commerce were completely prostrated, !,
and would so continue until Communications were
again opened. In conclusion he would add that
under no circumstances would he ever forsake the
flag of his country.
Mr. Crichton said that the proposed action was
not inimical to the present intention and action of
the city authorities they desirous of open
ing communication with the North and East.
The President was about to put the question,
when the Rev. A. B. Cross stepped forward and
ascended the platform. He said that it might ap-
pear strange to many to him, preacher,
upon the stand. Broad smiles on numerous faces,
and slight twtches of the of eyes, follow
ed the word preacher. Mr.. Cross did not appear
to notice the effect of his remarks, and with his
arm stretched out and index finger extended, he
presented admirable pattern of a sign-beard
for Crossroads, he continued But as the meeting
''was general one, to which all having interests
! in the city were invited, be felt at liberty to
| speak" Here there were cries of "questiop," !"
''question," but Mr.. Gross only crossed his arms
and said that gentlemen could not scare him or
| prevent expression of his views.
| Mr. Cross then proceeded to remark "that Bal
| timore city like unto a mouse which was in a
| trap surrounded by cats - This aegory occasioned
| slight impatience the part of his audience
and their were calls for Question" Mr.. Cross
| carried out the allegGry by asking il the mouse
would not be very foolish if it endeavored to break
out of the cage. At this point it was most mani
fest that those present had no disposition to lister
to the Rev. A. B. Gross, and that gentleman came
to similar conclusion, for he closed his remarks
by proposing a series of resolutions, in which the
! action of the city authorities and Major Trmble
were condemned and the Administration was in
| vited to march troops through the city.
Scarcely had the last word OF the last resolution
| fallen from his lips when motion made to lay
them on the table, which was almost unanimously
carried and Rev. Mr.. Cross took a back seat.
Mr.. Israel NJ. Parr said that he was glad that th
meeting had disposed Of the resolutions in such
summary manner. That gentleman was only pre-
sent ire-brand, and the resolutions were in
tended to disturb the peace of the meeting.
The resolution offered by Mr.. Stump was thel
adopted.
MIR. Stump moved that committee of tel
should be appointed by the Chair, whose duty
should be to take charge of the memorial and pre-
sent the to the Legislature Carried.
Mr. Mathot suggested the propriety of the com
mittee communicating with the Administration
with the hope that the blockade of the ports G
virginia HlSnt pe fdlseu.
After slight discussion the question was pu
in the form of resolution and carried.
Mr. j. B. Seidenstricker mo-ed that the Chair
man (Mr. Crichton) be added to the Committee,
act as Chairman of the same. Carried.
The following gentlemen constitute the commi
tee:-H. Stump, F. Sullivan, Henry May, Rob
Hull, Thomas NJ. Smith, Ii. w. Drakeley, Henr
Rieman, McH. Grafton, f. lowering, A. Matho'
The meeting then ad journed. The memoria
were put in circulation and were numerously sigI
ed To-day the committee will proceed to Fred
rick and present the same to the Legislature.
The Cutting Down of the Flag at the CustOl
n In yesterday mornings Exchange there was
s account of the cutting of the halyards which u
held the United States flag displayed at the sou
end OF the Custom House. A young gentlema
: Mr. George Lennon, was charged with commttil
e the act, and party of roughs attempted toinci
Il the crowd to violence against him. For his pr
lection, although contrary to his DESIRE the poll
took him in charge and conveyed him to the st
. ton house. He afterwards taken before
= S. Commissioner Hanan, who held him to hail fo,
a bearing, which took place yesterday morning
- eleven o'clock. There were two witnesses "
testified that they saw Mr.. Lennon cut the fac.
They also testified that there were three perso
d standing on the portico, dressed in similar uniform
N Another witness testified that he saw the m
cut the Wards but that Mr.. Lennon had nc