The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-02-26

Last week circular of the following pur-
port was circulated among our business men
for their signatures:
ave, the undersigned, merchants of Port
land, believe the time has arrived in the Ma
tons struggles with rebellion, when all loyal
and patriotic men, irrespective of party.
should unite their voices, and in thunder tones
say to the Government, Army, Navy and the
World,-this unrighteous rebellion shall be
put down, at whatever cost. We will impose
no conditions upon the Government, nor die
tate any line Of policy for them to pursue
asking only an honest, earnest and determined
purpose OF putting the rebellion down in the
most speedy manner. And we pledge our ac-
1--WE influence to furnish men and means to ill
the Army and Navy, and when we cannot
send better men in our places to fight the
country's battles, we will go ourselves
We believe public demonstration of "PEo-
PLEr throughout the country needful to give
confidence to the Government, hope and cour-
age to the Army, and terror to the Rebels; we
think the 23d of February an appropriate day
on which politicians can lay aside all other
considerations, and speak of the glorious past,
and encourage hope for the future.
We, therefore, would respectfully ask the
citizens OF Portland to meet in the City Hall.
Feb 23d, at 10 o'clock A. NJ, and give the day
to their country.
and that is to be as firmly united for our Gov
eminent, as the rebels are against it."
1t was signed by 1856 of the business firms
and men in this city, without distinction of
party. But as no convenient hall could be OBJ
tanned in which to hold the meeting on the
I'D, meeting of the signers to the call was
held at the Common Council Chamber Mon
day afternoon TO see what measures should be
adopted for holding the meeting hereafter.
About so OF our prominent merchants at
tended
The meeting was called to order by Mr..
Eben Steele, and T. c. Hersey was chosen
Chairman, and J. r. Corey, Secretary.
Mr. Hersey made some remarks upon the
object of the call which had been so numer-
ously signed, and read the call He was
followed by Mr.. A. X. Shurtleff, who made
some statements of what had been done thus
far.
Mr.. II. B. Hart suggested the appointment
of a committee to consider the matter, and re-
port what should be done.
After some remarks by Mr.. Hart, John
Lynch A. X. Shurtlef, Cyrus Sturdivant, f.
ctceic anu ctcputu IatttH, In winch the
speakers expressed the opinion that there
should be a series OF meetings held here, and
that accomplished speakers should be invited
to address them, committee, consisting of
Messrs. Shurtleff, Steele and Southland. was
appointed TO nominate committee, whose
duty 1t should be to take the matter Of series
of public meetings In charge, and to make all
the necessary arrangements.
The committee reported the following names
for the Committee of Arrangements:
w. L. Southland, Henry b. Hart, Cyrus
Sturdevant, II. J. Libby, VIM. Ross, n. o.
Cram, Jonas II. Perley, N. p. Woodbury., An
drew Spring, Frank Crawford, A. X. Shurtleff,
N. j. Miller.
While the committee were out, Mr.. Lynch
made some remarks upon the necessity for,
aud the benefits that would arise from such
meetings.
1t was then voted to refer the whole subject
matter Of the public meeting, or series of
meetings, TO the committee, for them to report
at an adjourned meeting.
The meeting then adjourned to Wednesday
evening next, March 4th, I l-2 o'clock, at the
same place, unless sooner called together BY
the committee.
There seemed TO be but one feeling manifest
at this meeting, and that was to stand by the
Government In its efforts to crush this rebel
lion.