The Portland daily press., 1864-09-13


The meeting at the New City Hall on Sun
day evening, in behalf of the National Freed
mems Association, was in all respects pei
feet success. The hall was crowded 10 exces
at an early hour, and large numbers wen
away for want of even standing room. TIL
entire number is estimated at over three thou
sand.
Hon. BENZ. KINGsDURY presided. TIL
services were commenced by singing "Ameri
ca" By an excellent choir of children. unde
the charge of Mr.. james G. Staples. A,
impressive and earnest prayer was then offer
ed by Rev. DIR. Bosworth.
Judge Kingsbury stated the object of tn
meeting to be, mainly, to enlighten the eiti
zens OF Portland as to the character and pur
poses OF the Association, and Incidentally t,
obtain aid in money and clothing.
lie said that early In the rebellion few
slaves found their way to Fortress Monroe
and told General Butler that there were q
considerable number of others in Virgins
ready TO come in, If they could only be as
snred Of their freedom. The General gave
them that assurance, and Justified the act on
the ground that they were "contrdbdnd OF
war" From this small beginning, nearly a
million slaves had come into the lines of our
victorious armies as they penetrated South,
aud this vas i number was daily increasing
Old men and women, mothers with babes at
the breast, the sick, lame, halt and blind, in
common with stalwart men, came by hun
dreds and thousands, Gen. Sherman. in re-
turning from one OF his expeditions, was
asked how many colored people were In his
traids. He answered "ten miles,
Extracts were read from letters showing
the horrible condition of these people as they
enter our lines, dating from Yicksburg. One
writer says;
The number who came in March Sd, was
about $500. They are coming in daily, in
numbers OF from five to fifty, aud the rear
guard has not yet arrived. Hundreds of the
children were literally naked The larger
number Of the women had dress of some
sort, but as to other clothing it was not
These dresses were made of pieces OF old
tents, Others OF the last remnants of a slaves
wardrobe that had not been replenished for
three years. The men had clothing made of
pieces OF old carpeting, ragged horse blankets,
sacking FOR bailiDg cotton, etc. Hats, caps.
and bonnets were curiosity TO them. Boots
and shoes had long been forgotten. Stockings
were a negative quantity. In this instance,
as at every great movement OF onr army, we
bring IN the ragged, destitute, suffering starr
ing, ,cretcited, naked negroes
While the Sanitary and Christian Commits
sions are performing noble work for the SOL
diers--a work above all praise-the Freed
mems Association have distinct use to per-
form towards this suffering class. And this
use 1t Is performing well. Ii has large corps
oil agents scattered over the South, feeding,
educating and putting TO work these outcast
people. 1t has over a hundred teachers in
the field, and tens of thousands Of scholars
And this work must GO forward. These freed
blacks are cast, by the fortunes OF war, upon
the humanity of the North.
The Chairman referred to the three white
slave children on the platform, and stated that
they had been slaves in New Orleans, and
were made free By Gen. Butler.
After some further remarks, Rev. DExTER s.
KING, of Boston, was introduced to the au-
dience. Mr.. King gave clear and very
interesting address upon the organization,
workings and character CT the National
Ereedmen's Association. His earnest and ell
oquent remarks upon the nature OF slayerr.
aud our obligations as Christian citizens in
regard to it, went home to the hearts Of his
hearers. He gave history Of the slave chill
dren under his care, leaving, no doubt on any
candid mind that they had actually been
slaves, though as white as any children in the
hall. Mr. King is evidently admirably quail
fed for the work assigned him.
The children attracted great attention by
their beauty aud sprightliness, as well as BY
their singing and speaking One can hardly
conceive it possible that they ever could have
been articles Of merchandise. Yet Charlie
has been twice sold with his mother; the first
time BY his own father.
Capt CYRUS STuRDIvANI addressed the
meeting very earnestly in isyoE Vi the Associ-
alton. Having been TO Roanoke Island and
seen their colored schools, be gave personal
evidence OF their great usefulness.
The choir sung, In addition TO america,
the Star spangied Banner" and the Bat
tie Hymn of the Republic" very finely.
A large collection was taken up.