The New York herald., 1862-01-17
THE RESIGNATION OF GEN. SIcEL.


Great German Mass Meetfng-Enthust-
asm or the Germans OF the Metropolis
Vote OF Confidence I'm General sigel, &c.
The great demonstration Of tho Germans Of New York.
favor Of General Franz Sge which took place at the
Cooper Institute last evening, very numerousy at
tended, and characterized by most enthusiastic
speeches and resolutions. well known, the object
10 give expression TO the feelings Of the Germans Of
this city and its envrons the resignation Of General
sge and to take for bringing his claims pro-
| mnently to the notice Of the government.
| On the platform noticed number Of the leading
citizens of New York. among others Mr. Jellnghaus OF
the Commissioners Of Emigration Colonel Burger, Will
| liam Aukermann, d. Gercke, William Radde, Aaron
FRANKIE, Sig. Kampfnan Dr. Lighthill, of st. Marks
place Dr. Henschel DR.. Krakowzer, Jacob windmuller
| Eug. G. Ballin and several others.
The meeting called to order at half-past seven
o'clock, and R. A. witthaus, ESQ., unanimously called to
| the chair.
On opening the proceedings Mr. witthaus spoke fol
| lows
FELLOW CIrIzEss-Permt TO express my deep appre
caton OF ths honor conferred upon Of presiding
this meeting o patriots congregated here to-day in
order to support Of their countrymen, who, imme
datey at the commencement Of this unholy rebellion
offered his life and propy promptly aud ferventy TO
the administration for tho maintenance OF the consu-
ton aad tho just Of the Union We are not here
democrats republicans, but us men who love liberty,
justice and the Union We desire TO retain in tho service
OF adopted Fatherland the eminent talents Of
General who, by his energetic perseverance since
May 1861, probably prevented the secession of one
Of the brightest stars from the Northern constoa~
tion. General Francis sgel-crowned with tho twin
aurels Of the Old and tho New World Baden and Mis-
sCuri-is which Oils with irresistible power each
patriotic heart whether native or adopted with the full
est confidence and ardent enthusiasm In July,
1851 he covered the flag Of our Union with neGabe
glory at Carthage; there history wrote his New World
certificate Of the most eminent generaslp, while the
rebel banner biting the dust When jackson, Price,
kins anu Iarsons acted the traitors TO their country
eating them defenders Of this beloved land Of adop
ton. III reading General Sgels report OF the battle Of
Carthage to General Sweeney, dated 1ith July, 1861
cannot help oseeming his Inodesty, for not his but the
heroic deeds Of his officers portrayed with justice and
impartiality. In Springfield we do not admire Franz
Se the commander oniynay, he shines especially
| as u man-lor, with the greatest self sacriice he
| there cared for the wives and children OF those
| urion men who were absent and in the ranks
o tho federal army Gentlemen, to sustain Franz sige
in his patriotic work TO procure for him from that Gd
mnistraon for whom he abored TO this day with such
uDtinchnC patriotism, due attention ard well merited
support and 10 obtain this for him in an honorable,
spectfn and reliable maIncr is the purpose OF this mass
meeting TO understand the resolutions, prepared by
committee and in order TO be enabled to vote them
knowingly, will permit myself 70 mention few facts
from creditable authority. When General HunteT look
command IN Missouri twas resolved IN council OF war,
TO advance upon tho enemy. General Sigel was placed
in command oil the advance division, with the order
"to attack the enemy wherever he found him, ana TO
engage him until the arrival Of tho principal general
army IL the meantime however, the general army re-
treated, Of which Sige received information by the
dent and this accident only saved him and his
division. General sigc Immediately iel back upon
qroat number OF and children, whose husbands
and fathers absent serving in tho le.era amy
Helpless and unprotected they were exposed to tho savage
fsy Of the pursuing enemy In the same position he
| fosrd thousands oi loyal who, conddiag in the
strength Of the federal army badffeey expressed their
Union sentiments Nothing hal been done TO protect all
OF these lhe retreat Of the general army was ordered
without any necessity against all rules OF warare and TO
the destruction 0 thousands oi conhdins citizens AZ
that period General Sgol intended 10 resign. for he con-
sidered dishorcabe To serve under command which
could betiay in shameful manner such prosperous
country thousands of condng citizcns but the re-
port of the Of General Hunter from tia; command
and the hope Of yet being useful 10 Missouri made him
:, cons der that irentjop After General ialleck bad
ulon The command tho prosecutions towards General
sige became Systematic He was chcancd, ignored and
neglected; his division was never completed oihcefs
under the influence Of Sigels formed regiment after
regiment, but when completed they were detailed 10
other commanders. The complaints Of General sigcl
lave never met with reply. His troops suffered for
want Of the most necessary supplies and his acquisitions
for them remained unattended to and unexccuted and
every opportunity TO aid Missouri has been designedly
denied him At last the inhabitants of Southwestern
Missouri pciitionod the President 10 grant them military
protection and designated General Sge as the person IN
whom they had the most confidence. His ENceilcncy
Pres Lincoln referred that petition 10 General Hal
lec and recommended General Sigel especially TO him.
Ipon this the oath Of December General Sigel was
placed command Of the troops in and about Roa, com
prsng from 50o0 10 20 COO men, but four days after,
on the 2sth OF December by order of General Hacck,
General sigel was supeseicd by General Curtis whose
conmsitn the same date as that CT General Sges D.
This lift him alternative but TO tender his resign ion,
which he did tho 3lst Of December, 1851 Whatever
may be your opinions OF his Exceency President Abra
ham Lincoln, am yop all share with me the fullest
conviction that he has shown TO his sincerest endea
vos TO be Just and while the adopted citizens of German
birth have placed than sixty thousand men in Tho
field for the support OF the administration ana ,he re
poct that tho resolutions offered by the committee
framed in the spirit OF the purest PATRIOTISM when &C
copted by this mass meeting. will be met and prompt,
acted upon In like spirit by all TO whom they are al
dressed.
Professor DE CrAurESsKIE then called on 10 read
,opg list Of Vice Presidents and Secreares who
accepted by tho unanimous vote Of the meeting.
Mr. HrGo WEES pAvcK next introduced and reat
the resolutions, as follows
whereas IL has been reliably reported that General
Sgc has been superseded IN tho command Of part o
the my Of Missouri, and that lie has been compelled
BY systematic neglect, TO tender his resignation, ant
whereas IL the duty Of all those who are well nc
cuanted with his eminent abilities as an officer and his
pire cha acter rs man 70 aheeavos 70 .e'an ns se'
Resolved by the citizens OF New YORK, in mass meet
ing assembled that among the many patriots now saer
cng their lives and their fortunes for the integrity OF the
Union they do not know Of any one animated BY pureI
motives and efficient as an officer than Gen Franz
That no was among tho first who for the suppress
sion Of tho Infamous rebellion which now lacerates our
beloved country and that large portion @! the army o
Missouri was called into existence by Lim.
That without his efforts and the efforts OF those wht
assisted him, the state oil Missouri would now be out O
the Union and that ether commander has done NOR,
the preservation of one OF the most brilliant stars II
| our Tag than Gen. Franz Sigc
]
and that the battle fields Of Mssour everlasting
| rumcns Of his yalor and his superior tactics.
That his character is unstaned by any repfoach and
thnt hs patf iotsm is pure and above cavil
That he is dearly beloved by ali under his command
and that he enjoys tho unbounded confidence OF srg
portion Of the army an officer Of tho nrst rank.
That the country cannot dispense With tho services
commsndcr who is equally great in conqucrng the enc
my and preserving those under his command from de
struction.
That VIC have not the slightest doubt that his resgna
tion WAS dictated by the principles Of honor by hi
sense Of justice, and was entirely consistent with hi
duties "a soldier.
That we notice with Indignation that low jealousy
narrow minded nativeism, In such times these
are trying TO drive away true merit and that the spir
| of caste and charatanlsm are prevailing where tre
military ability and upright honesty should reign 81
premc.
And that we earnestly desire 10 him placed In a pS
sition in which his SURPRISING abilities commando
Of largo bodies Of troops may best be employed for N
, salvation OF the Union
! Resolved, That committee Of three be appointed
tho chairman Of this meeting 10 proceed TO Washngto
10 present these resolutions TO his Excecncy, III
of ha cd and hat .f ~