Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-12-14
WAR MEETING at MECHANICS HALL.


The meeting at Mechanics Hall on Saturday even
ing was large and enthusiastic. 1t was called to or
der by Col A b X Sprague, and, ON his motion, his
honor Mayor Lincoln called to the chair, sup
ported by numerous body of vice presidents lie
accepted the position in few remarks and abiding
to the progress made in recruiting said that ninsty-
four had already been enrolled. lie also read let
ter from Col Pickett. dated Al Newport News, who
reported that twenty mine veterans in that depart
ment. claiming Worcester their home, had re-an-
listed fer the war. Col Deyens then introduced
amidst hearty greetings. tie said;
SPEECH OF GEN. DEvENs.
l wish in the few desultory remarks l may offer.
could tiatter myself it would aid in the object for
which this meeting is convened. The last time had
the pleasure of meeting you i'll this hall was when
we were raising cur quota OF the nine months
troops and / recolleci that it seemed as il the re-
cruiting going very slowly, and that the 9th
regiment had to wait too long Tor its ranks to be
filled. But Massachusetts dit raise tile fifteen thou
sand she then asked for and l do not
doubt 1t will he done nOw and that you, fellow cti-
zsns. will do our share OF it. (Cheers) know it
seems sometimes Is II our energies were oyertasked
and that SWlIer work could be accomplished, but
by and by ve mud the resorY ell strength which en-
ables US TO 10 what we undertake, just noble
race-horse receives new impulse of speed lie
he winning post OF ss our boys III their boat
races, hlI0H i4cNIIhS Sosl- SIIu the CONsNdlll
gives tia word Nov, boys give the sWilter pull
that carries them TO the desired position. So now
we shall md the strength which shall carry US
through.
/ believe that the enthusiasm first manifested has
deepened to sterner resolution 10 crush tie con-
spiracy with which We h.'s struggled lOl more tLan
two years More thaH sr.i now as we see its dark
coOTs, do Ieel tlzt this struggle involves life
rs a nation, and that must lush it be crushed
by 1t. Col ID then spoke OF the Two different " pes
OF civilizations at the north and south, which we
had hoped might blend peacefully in one broad and
genial nationality. But 1t could not be. govern
meut such they would establish with its corner
stone Of slavery could not live at peace " it'll
1t must have Deen bold aggressive, lapacUus, press
ing upon any government like ours that sought its
power in arts Ol peace, and i'll any event tins
hict could not have been aEeried "lhrenes got by
blood must be by blood maintained" ana states
founded in wrong must be by wrong maintained,
and thus they would have maintained their govern
ment. We cannot oyer'estimate the tremendous i'm
portanoe OF the struggle III which we are engaged,
both to ourselves ana The world. We must not lal
in our duty. We know more help is needed, and
that if We would utterly crush the serpent We must
replenish our armies. As look upon this splendid
audience l know that Worcester 1eels deeply the
pressing nature of the call. (Chters.)
When Roseerans was repulsed at ChckamauGa,
the complaints came up why dId lie not have more
men forgetting that 1t was not so easy Tor the see
rotary of war TO transport troops from the army of
the Potomac 1900 miles to the desired spot at
hours notice W hen the eleventh and twelfth army
corps went TO reinforce the army 81 the Cumber,
land, how all wished Iwiiiness Of movement Tor
them in their long journey. Thank cd for it, they
came i'll time. The glorious victory OF Chattanooga
is the result Well might the veteran Grant rejoice
when he at their head that flashing sword and
knew that in tie conflict before him lie might rest
not only upon the cool courage aud determination
of Gen. Thomas (cheeIS) but upon the restless IL
ergy and fiery yaor OF that general we arc wont to
call Fighting Joe Hooker" (ChsersJ
Col. Dnppealed to the young men between eighteen
and fory-hye to Tecoect that this their battle,
that bOuntieS generous and provisions for fam
lilies all that could be desired. ana there will be no
excuse 10 decline take = part in the struggle. lie
called to mind despondent remark made by SUI
coordinate in brigade OF Massachusetts men he had
the honor to command OH the night OF the retreat
from Fredericksburg, doubling OF our success.
said to him whist then! ! GU have done you MT
most and you can stand thus with the dignity of
manhood aoyWhera.n (Cheersl But there is nota
doubt of our Every where is to be the
evidence OF its speedy coming. Not only by the
splendid victories oil Grant, but with the successful
movement of Gen. Banks, staying foreign interior
enee with hand while with the other he presses
back tile rebellion, and doubt not that we shall
soon hear the thunderS OF artillery pressing against
the internal prison house of Richmond. l trust,
young men, you will do your duty, and not have it
hereafter to say, II was young and strong but tsft
the army fight iCitoHt my heip,n The tender
proach OF French king to tardy officer alter
great victory was. "Al, CrelOn, what brave day
we had yesterday, and you tosre NOT there" Look to
IT. that even reproach like this be not laid to your
charge.
After the conclusion of Gen. Devens' remarks,
Capt Crawford of the I'd Michigan cavalry, an Off
Ger whose free fearless and effective style of speech
has made him rather popular in Worcester, was
introduced and we report him as follows:
SPEECH OF CAPT. CRAWFORD.
As iii customary in the army for subordinHtes to
follow their general, cay TO you had rather fol
low the noble general who has spoken in battle than
follow him in speech. am nothing but a western
man. or rather an eastern man in a western army
and cannot perhaps use such fine language as you