The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-07-14
Grand Patriotic Rally at the City Hall.

Grand Patriotic Rally at the City Hall.
Saturday evening, promptly at Z IL o'clock,
the spacious New City Hall was packed to its
utmost capacity, responsive to call for pub
lie meeting to respond to the Presidents de-
mand for volunteers. The gallery was filed
with ladies, and the orchestra was occupied by
the Band of the 18th Regiment, U. S. A., which
did much, by its soul-stirring strains, to add
inspiration to the occasion. The door-ways
and passages leading to the Hall were densely
packed, and hundreds turned away disappoint-
ed, unable to gain hearing distance of the stage.
The meeting, after music by the Band, was
called TO order by the venerable ex-chief JUS
tee Of the Supreme Court, Hon. ETHER
SHEpLEY, father of the gallant Military Gov
ernor of Louisiana, on whose notion after
few patriotic remarks, the Mayor, Hon. w. W.
THOMAS, was called to the chair.
Mr.. Thomas, in assuming the chair, made
few fecitous remarks, calling forth hearty ap-
plause, and invited Rev. w: T. DWIGHT, ID. ID.
to offer prayer, which was done with felicity
of expression, Spirit of patriotism and an
earnestness of manner-all pervaded by, and
subordinate to, a deep and fervent piety-that
did not fail to inspire even the least devout
with feeling that, above and beyond all the
conflicts of the hour, there is living and pre-
siding spirit, who will not suffer Truth to be
curshed, or Righteousness and Judgment to
utterly fail.
After prayer DIR. Dwight was introduced as
the first speaker, and said-"Few if any in this
assembly will question the propriety Of a min
lister Of the Gospel speaking to the citizens
upon a subject of so much Importance at this !"
and in abiding to the present state of affairs
in our country, spoke so earnestly of our pros
poets for the future, and our duty at the pres
ent, as to produce feeling of the heartiest
enthusiasm in the minds of his hearers. Said
the Rev. gentleman, Il have but just returned
from visit to a friend, the Chaplain of the
Fifth Maine Regiment, and who, his whole
soul filed with patriotism and devotion to his
country's cause, wanted only to be present at
!. the capture of Richmond" Sooner, added the
speaker, Alet my right hand forget its cunning,
or my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth,
than that refrain from uttering my sentiments
upon such an OCCASION. He alluded to the
stern school of military trial, in which said he,
1--WE have made the best soldiers the world ever
saw. When the war commenced many face
gathered paleness and many heart knew not
itself, but, through the battlefield and through
the hospital, our soldiers challenge the admit
ration of the world He felt that decided and
vigorous action must now be TAKEN that the
rebels should be crushed as the worm we tread
upon. In language of the most affectonate
manner, he alluded to our noble President
Abraham Lincoln-to his far seeing policy, and
added, slet this war be a short one" In
speaking of the blow to be struch at Richmond,
said he, we have heard from the Chief Mag
istracy Of the State, that were the army
strengthened TO certain amount, the blow
would be struck, and that speedily. Let the
administration employ every power within
their reach TO put down this accursed rebellion,
although l say it--minister that / am.
would make no idle vaunt. Yet, if God per-
mits England and France 10 cross the Atlantic
in the experiment of war with this country,
1 feel that if there is traitor in New Eng
land now, there will be none then. They will
find it much easier to come than to return
My friends, the time to show our love of liber-
ty is when the time of trial comes.
The remarks of the speaker were received
withdemonstrations of the greatest satisfaction
particularly his allusion to foreign intervention
and we only regret our inability to publish the
speech in full, and thus do justice to the Rev.
gentleman, Of whose address we have given
but an abstract.
Hon. J. II. Drummond being now introduced
by the chair, offered the following resolutions:
Whereas, The President of the L. S. has issued n
CAL 70 the loyal States for an additional force of
And rhereas, Ii is the duty, as well as the interest
ofa loyal States and citizens TO give united and
nearly response to the patriotic policy of the Cow
We, the citizens Of Portland, in public meeting as
scmbed do hereby accord to the President our cor
dial approval Of his measures, to give more vigor,
promptness and success TO arms; and that we
VIII do all IN our power as patriotic citizens to aid
the Government In a vigorous prosecution of the war
TO speedy and successful issue.
And arhereas, an army composed of VOLUNTEERS,
who strike for freedom for freedoms sake is more
effective than q forced levy
Its hereby Resoiced, That liberal encouragement
their homes their business and families 70 Chi the
batues OF our country, and uphold the honor of
And schereas, 1t is highly important that our city
should NJ once furnish its proportion of men, under
the new call in number about three hundred men,
Resolved. That in order to encourage their enlist
ment, we recommend that the City Council offer
and pay from the City Treasury such abouny as they
may deem judicous, to citizens who shah enlist
within thirty DAYS.
Resoived That il Is the duty of the Government to
employ every man, with all the means and resources
OF the country, within its legitimate control in Wig
orous ana energetic prosecution OF the in order
to restore the integrity of the Union, and put down
the rebellion.
Resotced That II is the duty of Maine. as it must
be her pride to maintain by still further sacrifices the
honors which have accumulated on her name in a
hundred battles; and that she ought and will with
alacry, send forward her bafaions to the scenes
of danger and glory, TO ayenge her slaughtered sons
and to reap new aurels on the field of battle.
Mr. Drummond now proposed, that, as there
were so many Of our citizens outside the Hall,
who were unable to get in, he would address
them, which he did in his usual eloquent and
forcible style.
Judge Rice upon being introduced by His
Honor the Mayor, said that he had heard of
ambuscades, and forts being taken by surprise,
but he did not imagine when he entered the
Hall, that he was TO fall into an ambuscade, or
be surprised, as he did not expect to be called
upon. He spoke very feelingly and patriot
cally of the great question at issue, coming
squarely up to public sentiment in all respects.
and sat down amidst rounds of applause.
Mayor Thomas now came forward, and. in
avery happy manner, introduced Gen. How
ard, the hero of Fair Oaks.