The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-11-22
AID FOR the SOUTH.
Meeting ~ tho Brooklyn Academy OF
Music.

Meeting ~ tho Brooklyn Academy or
Music.
meeting Of the citizens OF Brooklyn held at the
Academy OF Music last night under the joint auspices OF
the American Freedmens Aid Commission, the Ameri-
Union Commission and the American Missionary
Association TO devise for the relief Of citizens
ofSouthern States irrespective Of color The incemency
OF the weather led many suppose that meeting OF a
character calculated TO the phanhropic citizens
Of the North would be postponed until full attendance
could be guaranteed; but postponement was an
nounced and the meeting held under the auspices
above stated The Academy about two-thirds filed
with mixed audience OF ladies and gentlemen, who,
from their appearance doubt represented Of the
wealthy families of Brooklyn At quarter before eight
o'clock number OF the directors Of the Academy
escorting tho speakers OF the evening" upon the
stage Mr.. SrRANAHAS opened the meeting by
proposing A. A. Low, ESQ, chairman, which was
UNANIMOUSLY adopted by the meeting. Mr.. James II.
rockingham elected secretary.
Mr. Low in taking the chair said he felt grateful for
the honor OF being called TO preside over the meeting
and grateful to think he was found worthy by his fellow
citizens in crisis which called forth the hearty sympa-
thy and benevolence OF all men. He then alluded in
brief terms 10 the many meetings that had been held
there BEFORE when the urgency Of called them to
take counsel and devise for supporting the gov
eminent by equppng troops TO send to the field TO com
bat treason and rebellion and In response to calls Of the
President OF the United States for and money they
there to pledge their life and substance in support
OF the country They had met there to bid God speed
noble volunteers they had met there TO bid them
welcome on their return They had met there during
The vcssitudes OF the late desolatng when victory
perched upon the standards OF our armies and some
times they met amid the discouragements OF defeat
They had met Oft TO hear patriot statesmen and heroes
Of the speak with eloquent tongues that they might
send words Of cheer TO soldiers in the 'front.' but
this they met again, that the war is over
10 alleviate some OF the distressing consequences Of
the South is fully open to their philanthropy
The desolang work OF war Is everywhere seen
in the South-everywhere, and especially in
the track where Shermans army marched from
Georgia TO North Carolina Desolaton is everywhere
spread around Those who have survived the calami.
tics Of suffering and In want. To relieve
these wants the object Of tho meeting and It was
the duty and privilege Of all citizens 70 give with
full hearts and liberal hands The chairman then read
letter from gentleman in the South which, he said
was not an exceptional one showing the widespread
suffering under which all classes and colors labor.
ing The letter addressed to Brgadier General Alex.
ander commanding in Tennessee The letter depicted
In detailed terms the condition OF the people terrible
in the extreme many having scarcely enough to keep
life In them and almost nude for want or the
| TO procure suitable clothing
Rev Dr. Il. s sroRRs Jr, then addressed the meet.
work necessary TO be done at The South relieve the
rapidly growing suffering that exists there, especially
and d in Their tracks,
has made this need immensely urgent There Is desti.
tuition Of houses crops Of woods Of orhards-indecd Of
oh have been utterly swept away with
q scythe OF fire. especially the route Of sherman s
great march, which measures sixty miles wide and
Thousand miles long All tnht pas3eu TOT money there
has utterly lost It's power The City Hall packed full Of
II would not buy newspaper and acres OF IL would not
purchase hat They would see at once what an immense
amount OF helpless must exist BY the repudia-
ton OF the rebel debt all property in the form OF bonds
and notes has ceased 10 have any purchasing power
value whatever Beyond that there is TO DO taken into
account tho immense destruction Of life, which has
brought untold suffering statement made by Governor
Parsons, OF Alabama, would bear fair relation 10
other States Of the south He hc Governor says that
the state Of Alabama hundred and twenty
two thousand soldiers to the acid and Of that number
thirty five thousand persisted In battle or died by
disease contracted in camp, leaving their families
TO tho charity of their neghbors He referred also :,
startling statements Of suffering In the South related BY
| Major General Wilson, Hon. Mr.. Root, OF Nashville
Tenn Mr. Adams, the Mayor Of Goldsboro, n c.; Mr.
Manley, OF the Frocdmcn's Bureau; Mr.. Richmondan,
others The people Of the North, II they give exprees
to their natural utterancc should thank God that
have this magnificent opportunity TO do good 20 III
South by helping them In tnls their time of need.
Rev II. W. BEycHER was the next speaker; b. Il his
| marks wcro chiefly confined 10 the cducap on OF u
| negro and relating amusing incidents.
| Mr. McRixx, OF the Freedmcn's COMM sion read
iey,r from Nj, Chaso gelating 70 tho yloeuug aud