Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-11-11
Citizens Meeting.

Pursuant TO a call numerously signed By
influential citizens Of Cleveland, a meeting
was held at the Atheueum, on Tuesday even
ing, November 1Oth, 1863, to consider the
condition Of Union prisoners in rebel prisons
at the South, and devise measures for their
relief from the horrible barbaritiss under
which it is said they are suffering and per-
ishing.
Hon. Samuel Williamson called the meet
ing to order, on whose motion Hon Samuel
Starkweathsr was chosen President, and W.
]. Warner, Esq, Vice President. Earl Bill
was appointed Secretary.
By request, Colonel Charles WhittIesey
proceeded to state the objects of the meet
iBg; and on his motion COMMITTEES Of three
was appointed, consisting of Colonel Whit
tesey, Hon. John oroweIl and John NJ.
Hughes, Esq, to draft and present resoIu-
tions expressing the views Of the meeting -
During the absence of tie Committee the
nesting was addressed by J. F. KeeIer an
Hon. Judge StsrkWsalhsr, showing the con-
dition of Rebel prisoners at Pittsburgh and
JOhnston's Island respectively.
The Committee, through its Chairman,
presented their report, and recommending
the adoption of the following resolutions:
ResoI0sd, That while the rebsl prisoners
in our vicinity are allowed ali the necessa-
ries and many Of the Injuries of life, the tes-
timony is conclusive that our prisoners in
Richmond are illegitimateiy treated IN the
most brutal manner, insplted, tormented,
robbed, and even starved under our eyes,
aud with the assent Of the rebel authorities.
ResolVed, That these barbsrities are com.
mitted upon helpless men, by people who
assume to represent the highest type Of ehiv-
airy and christianity, but whose conduct has
no parallel in civilized warfare, and very
few parallels among savage nstions.
ResoiUsd, That we hereby tender to cur
distressed fellow citizens in their hands, our
most sincere and heartfelt sympathy, and
in case it is true, as the Richmond papers
assert that they are unable to feed cur men,
we implore the federal authorities to lose no
time in supplying them with comfortable
food aud clothing, or at least to guarantee
the safe receipt Of money and articles pro-
vided by their friends, and in case Of failure
to interdict every thing Of the kind for the
use Of rebel prisoners.
That We most urgently request Of our Gov
ernor and our members Of Congress that
they use all their influence and authority
With the commanding general, the Secretary
Of War, and the President, to put stop to
the suffering and indignities TO which SO
many citizens of Ohio are subject, and if it
cannot be elected Otherwise, that a speedy
and exact system Of retaliation pc adopted
and inssmuch as most of these atrocities
have been perpetrstsd within the cities Of
Charleston aud Richmond, that citizens If
South Caroline and Virginia be first selected
for the exPeFiReBt.
General erovell fayorsd tho adoption Of
the resolutions in most eloquent and thrill
ingspsecb, in which some Of the barbara
ties of tie " OhiVsIry" zero FsOOEutsd, de-
monstrating the infamous nature of the
treatment bestowed upon cur brave soldiers
who have had the misfortune to fall into the
hands Of the ssyages who style themselves
the " Confederate States" Government.
He was followed by RsY, 7. H. Oakley in
some fOreibls and timely remarks; afte>
vhish tbs resolutions we're put to q vote, and
unanimously adopted By the meeting.
On motion il was Orderea that the Procsed-
inss of the meeting be Publiahedia the neWa-
papers of the city and that copies be signed
by the officers and transmitted to His Excel
lsncy, the President Of the United States, the
Secretary of Wsr and the Governor Of Ohio.
EhersUpOn the meeting adjourned.
Cleveland, Nov. 10, 1863.
SAMUEL STARKWEATHER,
President.
". J. WARNER,
Vice President.
EARL BILL, Secretary.