Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-05-10

composing these associations have and will
encourage the return among Us Of traitorous
men and women, with when they have all
along sympathized, and to whom in various
ways they have furnished material aid, and
conveyed important intelligence. Artful and
cautious, however, as they have been, or may
be, they have not entirely avoided discove
nor can they escape full detection. Their
crimes cannet 90 unrevealed and we will in
sist that they shall be regularly indicted and
tried for nisprison Of treason, if net for trea-
son, unless they remove to more congenial re.
gions And in doing this, we cannot forget
that it was not by public and avowed agents
of the rebellion, but by its secret and resident
miscreants, that the late President was basely
assassinated and dastardly attempt made to
his family. 1t would be censurable inditfer-
ence to be unmindful OF the lesson thus
taught us.
Resolred, That while we are fully and unal.
terably determined to prevent traitors, their
abettcrs and sympathiZers. from acquiring or
retaining residences in our midst, we recon-
mend and urge the utmost prudence and de-
liberation in the adoption OF means to effect
our purpose. Rashness and precfpitancy Of
action should be avoided. The impulse of
passion should be restrained and controlled,
80 as to give greatest possible efficacy to the
dictates of calm and enlightened Judgment.
And in whatever we do we should endeavor
to secure the approval and cooperation of the
National Government; and we therefore re-
quest the president of this meeting to appoint
a committee OF two from each ward of Wash
ington and Georgetown and from the county,
thorities, and to consult with them in relation
to the most feas ible plans of action. By thus
moving in harmony with the authorities, we
cannot fail in our undertaking.
Resolued, That we approve Of the resolutions
introduced into the Common Council OF this
city relative to "the return of discharged rebel
soldiers, +" and we are surprised that member of
that body should declare that those resolutions
do not express the sentiments of the people of
Washington. The people, in the exercise Of the
elective franchise in June next, can and we
in q hapnr inu
utterance. In the meantime we call upon all
the municipal authorities of the District for
such cooperative action with the general Gov.
eminent and the committee to be appointed by
the president of this meeting as will most eff
fectually exclude all who have been active or
isguised rebels from its limits.
ResolCed, That we cannot too highly and ear.
nestly sanction the recently expressed views of
President Johnson in regard to the nature and
punishment of treason. Using his terse words,
we declare that it is a crime, "the highest crime
known to the law, and the people ought to un-
derstand it, and be taught to knew that unless
it is so considered there can be no government"
And that, while those who have been drawn
into the rebellion ''by CONSUMPTION and dread
should receive s'clemency and pardon, the Sc
verest penalties" should be inflicted on its
''conscious, Influential, and s'vOluntary' vim
dicators and supporters. And most cordially
do we agree with him, that ENERGY WITHOUT
JUSTICE IS A CRIMR.'
elevated and correct views, and who in this
respect approximates to the Divine conception
we cannot doubt the "Republc is safe; that
the deeds OF conspirators, insurrectionists and
assassinators will receive Just retribution, and
the right OF every citizen and community be
duly guarded and defended.
Truly, new and more glorious era da wns
on the nation; one Of restored and purified
unity; and we may well exclaim, "Let it be
perpetual"
SPEECH OF JOSEPH F. BROWN.
Fellow. citizens: Within the last twenty min
utes, at the request of the Mayor of Washing
ton, who is unfortunately confined to his bed,
/ have been called upon to preside in this
meeting might.
The Mayor assures me that he completely
and cordially endorses it, and know that ex-
presses the sentiments OF the people and Cor
poration OF the city Of Washington and am
instructed by the Mayor to express to his fel-
low-citizens now present his regret that on
account OF his recent exposure in attending
the Presidents remains to Springfield, he has
contracted an illness which leaves him unable
to be present at this meeting tonight; and
therefore l, as the second officer in this city,
feel it my duty to make this known to you.
i am here officially, as the second officer OF
the Government, ia the absence Of the Mayor,
to direct your attention to the objects which we
have been called upon this evening to consider.
l know the Mayor could present them with
more dignity and influence than it has been my
fortune to do. But ] am here as his repre-
sentative, and the representative of the SOW
erelgn people of Washington, to say to you,
one and all, in behalf the corporate authori-
ties of the city, that we truly and entirely en-
dorse the call which has summoned you here
to- night.
We are in favor. every one of us, of assert
ing to the Government and authorities that
control the city and the country from the Rio
Grande to the northernmost portion Of our ter
ritory in Maine, that we are is favor of saying
to those that deserted us four years ago-each
and every one Of them that sought to break up
this Government-after voluntarily urrender
ing their citizenship and Of their free choice
seeking their homes ia rebellious States: "You
have made your bed, and must lie upon ltp
tApplause Deliberately and of your own
free will and free choice. you sought home
among those that were rebels and traitors to
the Government, and now that the power OF
the Government has been, as we all knew it
would be, from the first to the last, main-
tanned, we now deliberately, and of our own
solemn convictions, say to you: ''Whilst we
do not desire TO persecute you or visit you with
Vengeance, we feel that your absence is in
hnltely more preferable to US than your COM
pany." [Applause.
Gentlemen, this is believe the conviction,
deliberately concluded of every man now
there a. gentlemen who differ with me- can
say, IN all kindness and charity you have
heard in these resolutions the conscien tious
conviction at which We have arrived. know
that speak the sentiments of ninety nine out
of every hundred of the people Of Wasnin gton
Gentlemen, think it is our duty, first and
the past four years-how these people, under
me very shadow Of our national flag, enioy-
Ing all the protection our Government could
give them, deliberately, calmly, conscientious
termined that this Government should be-
broken up, and this city transferred and forced
to become part and parcel Of the Southern
Confederacy, and got under the very shadow
OF this City Hall to carry out Maryland and
this city Of Washington from under the au-
thority of our Government.
When we think OF these things; when we
remember that no conscriptioG as in North
Carolina ard Mississippi end other States,
was forced upon them, when the public opin-
ion and the public tide did not hurry them
into the rebellion-but. that they went Of their
own free will, determined TO take the conse.
quences, say now, as the representative of
l5,toO voters In Washington, that they should
be compelled to abide hv their choice.
l have thus attempted TO let you knnrr the
object OF the corporate euthcrit'~' ia conven-
ing this meeting to. night tha ,atever you
may do you may do In mercy, III charity, in
kindness, and In accordance with law and
order. Resolutions are now prepared to be
submitted to this meeting.
You have heard the resolutions so patriot.
ic8IlY con cei we'd and eynrassed hv the nit