The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-02-06

be business meeting Of the Association to-
morrow night Ito night, the subject would
then be considered, aud the authorities adj.
vised of the result.
c. B. Shirley announced that - Bowman
was present-that he (B) was deslrous of
giving course of lectures for the benefit of
the soldiers, but that he would speak for
himself.
Mr.. Bowman said that he would lecture
provided he was assured that the hall would
be lighted and heated, and that an audience
was present to hear him, as he did not like
addressing empty benches.
The President rendered the hall, and as.
surcd the lecturer that it would be lighted,
and invited all present to come ON Friday
night, when free lecture would be given.
Rev. = Barlow being called upon for .
speech, said if he knew the definite object Of
the meeting, he might say something.
Gen. Montgomery-It is to stimulate the
Union cause, and restore the Union and the
Constitution.
Mr.. Barlow said upon that theme he could
not help speaking. He had been taught the.
ology at the seminary near this place; had
but few years ago known many Of its citi.
zens noticed the change that had taken
place; the absence IF familiar faces; the
desolate appearance of the city-all attribu-
table to civil war. He thought that Virginia
had brought all her present troubles upon
herself by seceding-did not think the South
had any just cause of complaint-thought
Providence was wo' king out the prosperity
Of the Uaion-thought that the North, as
we'll as the South, wanted purging, and that
ter friends. There was an iceberg between
them now which must be thawed, even il it
took hot shot to thaw it.
Thomas Coyle moved that the Association
hold weekly instead Of meetings every two
weeks.
Lewis Mckenzie opposed the motion. Peo.
pie had many other things to attend TO-
own matters and others. Il would be dill
,ult TO obtain speakers every week, and, on
he whole, he thought meeting once every
wo weeks sufficient.
w. L. Penn would like to favor Mr. Nc
kenzie's views, but he saw falling off in
be attendance at the meetings since they
lad been held only once every Two weeks
here was but one subject uppermost in his
leart-but one sentiment there-that Of
Union. 1t engaged bis thoughts by day and
lis dreams by night. He was Virginian
y birth, but he knew no secrons-he was
or the Union. He wanted to kill off, not
ecessionists; nc, that was not the name
raitor was the proper appellation, and foster
he Union sentiment, and he thought one of
be best methods was to hold the Union
,eetings oftener.
Judge Freese said that, as he had sugges-
ID the resolution, he felt bound to urge its
assage. He had observed with pain a fall
lg off in the Union sentiment-a lack of
oirt and energy on the part of the Union.
is. He liked to see these lvve-feasts--
fought they did great good. and the oftener
ley were held, the better for the cause.
Mr.. Mckenzie said that great many had
ined the Association for the purpose of
citing passes, and for no other objecr-a
reat many had been actuated by selfish in
rests. Poor human nature was weak, and
, supposed it could not be avoided Provi-
snce, he thought, would work all out right
st, and the rebellion would be put down.
ye, sir, said the speaker, it would have
cen put down this day, but for the mean
Id contemplate conduct Of Great Britain. |
ngland was mean enough now to be will
ny to acknowledge the Southern Confede- :
10y. Either one Of two things actuated 1
,r-this country was growing too great, or
e wanted free trade. The speaker praised l
r. Stewards ability, but did not think even
at would prevent an acknowledgements of
e Confederacy by England and France, b
tuated, as he said they were, by the most {
fish motives. Mr.. Mckenzie next blamed Il
. Northern Democracy for the troubles
to which the country is plunged. He con- d
nded that that party-especially the Brock a