The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-08-07
Severe Fights with the GueriIlas.
Cotton Burning.
Great War Meeting in Washington.

Great War Meeting in Washington.
WASHINGTON, August 6.
The immense meeting at the east front of
the Capital this afternoon was preceded by the
ringing of bells, the firing of cannon and mus
ic from the Marine Band.
The portico and platform were occupied by
the ladies, military, civil and naval officers of
distinction.
The Mayor of Washington presided, with
thirty-four Vice Presidents and twenty-five
Secretaries.
President Lincoln was present and occupied
a prominent place on the platform.
After tho organization of the meeting had
been effected, Mr.. Edward Jordan, Solicitor of
the Treasury, introduced a series of patriotic
and stirring resolutions, from which the fol-
lowing are taken
Resolved, That we, residents of the District
of Columbia, but having among our number
citizens of every portion of the country, re-
gard the ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of the Union as an
event not to be contemplated in any contin-
gency whatever, it being forbidden alike by
our geographical, commercial, social and po-
litical condition; by our domestic and foreign
interests, by the shame which the world would
attach to us did we suffer its accomplishment,
and the worthlessness of what would remain
to us afterward; by the mighty interest in
volved in the Union and the vast sacrifices
which have been made for its defence; by the
hopes of the living and the memories OF the
dead,- and we deliberately and solemnly de-
clare that rather than witness its overthrow,
we would prosecute the present war until the
towns and cities should be reduced to ashes,
lApplausel 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.
Resolved, That, convinced as we are, that
the leaders in the rebellion will never sincere
lx-t aft to ,air 10, TrpnV
quietly submit to its laws, we are of the opin-
ion that they should be regarded and treated
as irreclaimable traitors who are to be stripped
OF their possessions, of whatever character,
and either deprived of life or expelled from
the country. Wild applause and cries of
good.
The entire series of resolutions were unani-
mously and enthusiastically adopted.
Mr.. Chittenden, Register of the Treasury,
made stirring opening speech. His remarks
were patriotic and pointed, and his illusions
TO efforts to eject traitors from the Depart
ments and from the city of Washington were
heartily endorsed by the multitude.
Mr.. A. Lincoln, President of the United
States, in response to loud impatient calls then
addressed the people as follows:
Fellow citizens-I believe there is no prece-
dent for my appearing before you on this oc-
casion, but it is also true there is no precedent
for your being here yourselves, and l offer in
justification of myself and of you, that upon
examination, / have found nothing in the Con-
stitution against it. / have, however, an inn
preston that there are younger gentlemen who
will entertain you better, and better address
your understanding that will or could, then
/ propose but TO detain you moment longer
/ an very little inclined on any occasion to say
anything unless hope to produce some good
by it, The only thing think of just now not
likely to be better said by some one else is a
matter in which we have heard some other
persons blamed for what did myself There
has been very wide spread attempt to have a
quarrel between Gen. Mcclellan and the Sec
rotary of War. Now occupy a position that
enables me TO believe at least those gents are
not really SO deep in the quarrel as some pre-
suming to be their friends. Gen. McClellen's
attitude is such that in the very selfishness of
his nature, he cannot but wish to be successful,
and hope he will, and the Secretary of War
is precisely in the same situation. Ii the mill
tary commanders in the field cannot be sue
cessful, not only the Secretary of War, but
myself, for the time being, masters of them
both, cannot be but failures. / know Gen.
Mcclellan wishes to be successful and know
he does not wish it any more than the Secre-
tary of War for him, and both Of them togeth-
er no more than wish it.
Sometimes we have a dispath about how
many men Gen. Mcclellan has had, and those
who would dsparage him say he has had
very large number, and those who would dis
parage the Secretary of War; insist that Gen.
Mcclellan has had very small number The
basis for this is, there is always a wide differ
ence, and on this occasion perhaps wide one
between the grand total on McClellan's rolls
and the men actually fit for duty; and those
who would disparage him, talk of the grand
total on paper, and those who would disparage
the Secretary of War, talk of those at present
fit for duty. Gen. Mcclellan has asked for
things that the Secretary of War did not give
him. Gen. Mcclellan is not to blame for ask
ing for what he wanted and needed, and the
Secretary of War is not to blame for not giving
when he had none TO give; and say here, so
far as l know, the Secretary of War has with
held no one thing at any one time in my pow
er 10 give him. have no accusation against
him. | believe he is a brave and able man.
stand here as justice requires me, to go TO take
upon myself what has been charged on the
Secretary of War as Withholding from him. l
have talked longer than l expected to, and
now avail myself of my privilege of saying
no more.
Mr.. Lincoln was followed by Ex-Governor
Boutwell, who closed by saying that s. If the
people declare with courage that slavery shall
cease, then let this be the war cry"
Hon. l.. SWEET OF Illinois, General Shepley,
Gen. Shields, Hon. Robert j. Walker, Hon. X.
Thompson, Senator Harlan, and others, adj
dressed the assemblage.
The meeting was most enthusiastic and one
of the largest ever assembled in this city.