Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-07-08
LOCAL AFFAIRS.


purchasing land on the Brandywino. to be $,
apart and improved as public park The ha
was crowded to excess, and many were assem-
bled around the door in front unable 10 gai
admission.
The meeting was organized by JEST Lane
Esq, on whose motion, Alexander Kelley, wa
appointed Chairman, aud Wm. Ferris, Secretary
The officers ascended the rosirum aud too
their seats, when the President inquired for
copy OF the call under which they had assembled
that 1t might be read, as explanatory Of ih
object OF the meeting. No Cne appeared to hav
copy OF the document, as il was not forth
coming
Mr.. George Buzine, stated that ho had a pre-
amble and resolutions, which he handed to tn,
Secretary, and moved they he read. The molior
was carried with few dissenting voices, ant
they were read as folloWs:--
WHEREAS, In the almost unanimous judgmen
OF the citizens Of Wilmington, public square
or place Of resort for recreation, to which chill
dr'n and invalijs may have access, is demanded
by the rapid Increase of our population and
steady growth Of the city aud whereas, the
Clty Council in providing for the necessary sup
ply Of Brandywine water. wisely and with
reference tl the future welfare OF our citizens,
purchased valuable tiael OF land. consisting Of
three entire squares, on one OF which is located
tue new reservoir, aud whereas, this meeting
alluded TO has been set apart az public eauare,
BY vote of the City Council, therefore,
Resoiped, That this action on the part Of the
CITY Uounoil is cordially approved by tbs meet,
ing OF citizens, and that any further purchase Of
land for the purpose OF Park or Public Grounds
In the Western portion OF the city ia hereby dis
countenaneed aud disapproved.
RESOLVED, fHrtheT, That while recognizing the
advantages Of having free accesa to tho prone.
haze on the banks of the BrRndywne, as enjoy
ga by cur citizens for many years past, aud also
the fact that ayaIice aud selhshness NAV deny
THIS privilege, when oertaio land IL conveyed to
other than the present owners, we nevertheless
protest against the movement soi on foot by the
Olty council to increase the City debt, by what
we aeem unnecessary outlay, aud the abandon.
ment 0f desirable locations for Central Public
square, in more thickly settled portions Of the
eIty' Rhefe access would be easy Al all times
without labor and cost
Hsoiped, That the Secretary Of this meeting
DC directed to furnish the Clerk OF the CITY
Council with a copy Of these esllutions, with a
request that they be read al the utxi stated
meeting Of Cunnoil
pr; u: II, Porter, came forward aud took the
stApd. lie expressed desire iu hvar the pro-
aIhole anu resolutions read again, as he did not
KNOW whether they were flr or az inst Park.
the Secretary read lhem a second time.
ar w. Jones suggested that they be cen.
tiiered separately, which was acquiescCd iu by
the meeting.
The Chair remarked TINT ii was unnecessary
TO read the preamble, and was proceeding 10 |
take the question on its adoption, when loud |
calls wore made for its reading, which was com
Piled with. The preamble was adopted by a
very decisive vote,
nr. Bush, desired 10 have fair expression of
.he sentiments OF those composing the meeting,
before the vote was taken on tho resolutions
a scene Of confusion here ensurd. during
which there were loud calls for the question, the
people maniiestng a disposition ta settle The
matter, without controversy.
Mr. Head asked as an act of Justice. that the
friends Of the measure should have fair hear
ing That was ali they desired.
The meeting renewed the demand for the
question, and an earnest effort was made to take
the vote.
IN the midst OF this scene of excitement, DIR. |
forler, asked 10 be heard lie came 10 the
meeting opposed to an outlay OF money on the |
part Of the City Council for a Public Park. hut |
he was open to conviction, and he desired 10 hear
the arguments Of the friends OF the measure -
ne wanted free discussion it was the palladium |
oI our liberties. II it is suppressed, public
rights may be ihfringed, and the last hope of |
american freenen will be sacrificed. lie an
pealed TO them 10 maintain and uphold this |
glorious heritage bequealhed 10 US by a patriotc
revolutionary ancestry. He urged us o courtesy |
heard.
The President thought that all should be /
hsard on the subject. either for or against. lie |
spPrehendea NO diihculty and invited u full aud
free discussion.
calm succeeded this announcement, no one
seeming disposed TO enter the list as a champion
oil Park on the Brandywine.
pr' Bush expressed himself disappointed with
sue proceedings OF the meeting lie expected to
ue4' resolutions OF different character, and
'hat the friends Of the measure would come pre-
PaIed m. 70 give us argument 10 favor OF the Park
Fhe T. esldent invited the friends of The Park
P eane forward and address the meeting.
w response to this Invitation, Mr.. Heald took
'ne STAND. HeFemarked that he wished to deal
win the subject In spirit Of candor and honesty
ne had hoped that other gentlemen would come
iofwafd ,s aud present the Importance Of a Public
rark on the PrandyWin to the attention Of the
meeting He had been very busy during the
laa' lew days with other projects, and lad nut
time to give the subject that consideration due TO
IT. lie had occupied that stand before on the
unpopular side of public measures. aud be had
lne satisfaction of knowing, that In no single In.
stance had time failed 10 demonstrate that his
feWs we're correct Every measure he had aver
edVocated, had eventually become popular
among other cases, he cited that Of wideniug
M4'sf street, and remarked that the utility Of
lne measure, has since been admitted by some OF
iF strongest oppouepts. A gentleman Informed
hlm lew days Since that many wero cutsiuq
Llul when he replied, he was glad Of it, as now
ne knew he was right in his Opinous. He de-
sired TO be candid aud state facts. If right he
psked their sympathy. he had heea cbarqsd
with selpshpess, and desire to control matters
70 suoserTe bis own interests He had been
lisfepresented. He had been connected with
n ch lhe great public Improvements in the CITY,
on 'ne question of Public Park, tbele ure
many interests at stake. He had always been nm
advocate Of Public Park, and would ike 10 ,ee
cue In every Ward, and a general Park ia
owned no land near the proposed Park on ina
DFandyWinei he had long since ,fisposed az
every acre in which he had any interest IT,.
then descantcd on the great advantages nresent.
50 by the grounds suggested for public plaee
~ resort, and declared thsi there 10 no twenty
ASe acres in farmount Park, which IL toual Ia
Il 10 point of beauty Of scenery, and nlantaiins
Ior the object proposed. He urged them 10 ao
cept 1t now, or It will pass out of our hands
never 70 be reclaimed. number of gentlemen
aIe anxious TO purchase ii, and will rejoice If |
.nls meeting refuse to authorizes Council to bu,
~ me brnndywine excels in point of beauty
any place be had ever seen. He made vsit |
e'sry summer to some spot celebrated for it, |
sP.enuor - piaos OF resort. but 10 invariably |
shms baek, wish tho conviction thnt o,,r own
hrandywine exeels In point Of natural beaYtv
lie had often thought how much natnre nj
done for ., and how sadly it was ueciee,ed hv
US, a voiee-'you had better give The AT, O00
to the soldiers families T-S'''o
Mr.. Heaid.-i thank the gentleman for tha,
remark, and will reply to II directly. ''
NoHM was unsafe for our wives and daughters
70 visit this delightful place, as they run a risk
o. being insulted by the bad characters who in.
lest It. II we had Public Park there, tb 8
could be prevented, and al--rich and poor