The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-08-15
Great War Meeting at WashingtOn...A
Speech by President Lincoln.
PATRIOTIC RESOLUTIONS OFFERED.

The immense war meeting at the Eas
from, of the Capitol, Wednesday afternoon
was preceded by the ringing of bells, the fir
3 ing of cannon, and music from the marine
band. The portico and platform were occu
pied by many ladies, and military, civil and
naval officers Of distinction. The mayor Of
Washington presided, with "a vice presidents
and % secretaries. After prayer by the Re,
John c. Smith, the following resolutions were
read by Edward Jordan, the solicitor of the
treasury:
Resolred-That We, residents of the Dis
trict of Columbia, but having among our
number citizens of every portion of the ccun-
try, regard the dismemberment of the Union
as an event not to be contemplated in any
contingency whatever, it being forbidden "a
like by our geographical, commercial, social
and political condition: by our domestic and
foreign interests by the shame which the
world would attach to US did We suffer its ac-
compllshment, and the worthlessness of what
would remain to US afterward by the NIGH
ty interests involved in the Union, and the
vast sacrifices which have been made for its
defense; by the hopes of the living and the
memories of the dead and we deliberately
and solemnly declare that rather than witnts S.
Its overthrow, we would prosecute the pres
ent war until the towns and cities should be
reduced to ashes ;(applanse) our fields should
be desolated, and We, and all that are dear to
US, should have persisted with our possessions,
Let the Union be preserved or the country
made desert. (Applause.)
Resolre,-That We have not doubt that
almost the entire population of the loyal
States are animated by the same sentiments
whct we express, and that if there is at the
present time any hesitation manifested bv
them in devoting themselves or their proper
ty to the cause of their country, it is owing
solely to their misgiyings as TO the prosecu.
ton of the war-tapplause and cries of
good Ito an apprehension that there is on
the part O! those who direct our military op
erations, whether in the cabinet or in the
field, a want of readiness and determination
to employ at once, decisiyeiy. crushingly, the
tuil power Of the nation, which all feel and
know to be ov .rwhelming.
Reso'ted--That, profoundly convinced as
we are, that such is the true cause of the hes
ltatlon. we deem it the duty of the President,
anc we therefore most respectfully but ear
nestly urge upon him. to adopt etiectual
means of assuring the people that he is re-
solved to prosecute the war on scale limit
ed only by the resources of the country, and
We hail with JOY the recent order directing
the immediate draft OF large additional
force, as cheering evidence of such resolve.
Npp!ause.)
HcSo|red-Ghat while there are among us
differences Of opinion upon minor questions
OF policy IN the prosecution of the war. We
are all agreed that the measures adopted
should be those which will bear with the most
crushing weight upon those in rebellion,
--i->-l -. -,
the leaders of this rebellion will never sim
cerely return to their allegiance to the Union,
or quietly submit To It's laws, We are of the
opinion that they should be regarded and
treated As lrreclaimable traitors. who are to
be stripped of their possessions of whatever
character, and either deprived of life or ex-
PEELED from the country. (W!ld applause and
'IIeS VI Soou-
Res0lrel-That in our Judgment, whenev-
er our armies 90 within the rebellious States,
means should be taken to test the loyalty of
the inhabitants, and those who refuse their
unqualified adhesion to the cause of the In
ion, should either be placed under restraint
or compelled II go beyond the lines, while
their effects should be taken from them and
E., Ia, bo fa,l III sc
the army. (Applause.)
Resolred-That the national capital is en-
inenty the place where treason should be in
stantly denounced and punished. CAT this
point the applause from thousands of voices
was deafenng, and again three cheers were
enthusiastically given, with exclamations of
Read that again" good" good, read it a.
gain.)
/ Mr. Jordan was about to repeat the resolu-
ton, when he was interrupted by the heavy
and continuous sound of cannon, mingled
with the music from the marine band, for the
President had now made his appearance, and
was proceeding to the front of the platform
where chair had been provided for him in
a conspicuous place. Three cheers were Civ
en- in his honor, and when this pleasant ex-
element had somewhat subsided Mr. Jordon
. lead the entire resolution second time, and
proceeded as follows:
Resolred-That the national capital is emf
nently the place where treason should be in
stan,ly denounced and punished, and that the
most strenuous measures should be adopted
bv the proper authorities without delay, and
discover and arrest the disloyal men and wo-
men who infest this district. and that they
should be compelled either to establish in the
most conclusive manner their fidelity to the
government, or forfeit its protection. CThe
reading throughout was greeted with ap
plaLse.)
Resolred-That we heartily approve Of tht
act of Congress, passed at its recent session
sublecting to confscation the property of reb
els, and declaring free such of their slaves al
shall take refuge within the lines of cur ar
my, and that We deem it to be the duty o
= the President, to the utmost of his ability, t,
] give prompt effect to the provisions of tha
act, and especially that he take the most eff
cient means within his power, to cause ful
notice thereof to be given to all persons VIII
f may be effected thereby. (Applause.)
= Resolred-That the Federal Government
4 being the only inst:umentality through whicI
. the will of the nation can be made effective
that the government must be maintained
whatever administration may for the time be
5 ing BE- in power, and whatever may be tn
=, policy within the limits of the constitution
o which it may adopt; that he who refuses t
it his support because of his disapprovaI {
some particular measure Of lis policy, is falls