Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-11-14
VOL. XVII.

and Superintendent Of Contrabands, by
direction Of Major General Grant, has
made statement Of the extreme suffer
ings Of the freedmen in the Department
Of the Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, g similar appalling state OF
things is known TO exist in other loeah-
ties, embracing in all about five hun
dred thousand freedmen; therefore,
-Resoiped, That the National Fresdmen's
Relief Association is called upon to enlarge
its humane work, and to make an earnest
effort to raise for the immediate relief Of
these suffering people one hundred thous-
and dollars.
RssolU.d, That we implore cur citizens
merchants, manufacturers, all classes-to
rive instant and liberal aid to these poor
peopI (, that the gentlemen composing the
Chamber Of Commerce, Board of Brokers,
Corn Exchange, and other associations, be
requested to take such steps as they deem
advisable TO aid the suffering parents,
wives and children of the eolored soldiers
oonseripted for the army.
RESOLVED That we invoke the aid Of the
clergy, and that we, in msss meeting,
hereby request each pastor TO act as q
COMMITTEES to bring the matter before his
congregation, for the purpose Of taking
collections for these sufferers.
ResoIVed, As the objects of this charity
are, to q great extent women and chill
dren, that we call upon the women Of our
land to aid this cause by their needless
fairs, parlor entertainments, and by per-
sonsl efforts among their friends.
DR.. Bellows followed in a few eloquent
and pointed remarks, the substance Of
which is embodied in the following resOlu-
tons which he presented, and which were
unanimously adopted by the meeting;
Resolued, That Committee of thirteen
citizens, to be carefully selected by the
National Freedmen's Relief Society be ap-
pointed to represent this meeting in a del
egation TO the President Of the United
States, asking him to call on Congress in
his next Message to create q Bureau Of
Emancipation, whose duty it shall be, st
the expense Of the nation, to superintend
the transition Of the freedmen created by
the Presidents Proclamation aud not
not otherwise provided for, in their trans
ilion from state Of compulsory labor to
condition Of self-supporting industry.
Rssolved. That this same Committee be
charged with the more immediate duty Of
calling on our citizens for subscriptions TO
meet the pressing wants Of the negroes on
the Mississippi, whose sufferiBgs we have
| lust heard described, and that an effort
be made by them for a simultaneous col
lection in eur churches on the Sunday pre-
ceding our National Thanksgiving; that
tbemoney raised be paid TO the Treasurer
| ee the National Freedmen's Relief Associ-
;Htion, and be disbursed at their discretion.
General Sickles, being loudly called for
BY the audience, came forward and said
he was very glad TO have an opportunity
to contribute his humble assistance to Gen.
Grant, n great commander, in the solution
of one Of the administrative difficulties Of
his department, and also to evince his ear
nest sympathy with the object which had
brought together so large an assemblage Of
1.-THE worth aud intel igence Of New York
He very much regretted that his health
was not sufficiently restored to justify him
in attempting anything more than brief
acknowledgement Of the kind invitation,
| which brought him thither, and the express
sion Of his good wishes for the measures
they had adopted in behalf Of the freed
men. The destiny Of the millions who
| would be elevated to freedom By the pro-
/ elamation was one Of the greatest ques-
/ tions Of the times. Il was q delusion 10
suppose that that decree would ever be re.
Eoked. (Applause.) He perhaps was one
who, if ne had been consulted, would have
II L a.. - -
was one Of those who, it having been done,
would maintain it. Renewed applause }
That measure, as they had seen, and as
had been 50 eloquently developed to them,
brought with it great responsibilities, moi
only upon the Government, but upon the
/ people Thousands and thousands Of the
emsncipa.ed had gone into the army as
soldiers. In this respect he felt peculiar
interest in them and their kindred They
had won the reC pect Of the army by their
courage and devotion. II could not be long
before 8 hundred thousand African SOL
diers would be in arms for the Union,
(grsst applause and they and their Kin
dred-those who were dependent upon
them-Were entitled to the same benevO-
lent regard that other soldiers Of the U nion
had received from the people. (Applause.
Gen. sickles eloquently closed by say
ing
Whdn the President of the United Slate:
issued his proclamation, he invoked for il
the blessing Of Heaven, as a means Of sup
pressing the rebellion. The most impos
ing event in our history, Let US trust-oui
efforts for the restoration Of tranquility
snd Order-would be guided by the inspir
ations Of kind Providence. We had Il
reconcile interests with duty, policy will
humanity, hopes with destiny. Loud ap
plause) } ..r..F r--tr-rrre
The President announced the meetini
adjourned, and the assembly dispersed.
s CLOTHING.