The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-01-18
COMMUNICATIONS.
\ Meeting in Behalf Of the Freedmen.

q gr nii 2 AUGUSTA, Jan. 10, 1865.
TO the Editor Of the Press; .si gsiss9 ssaa uaol
/. A meeting of rare interest was held in be-
half of the Freedman last evening in the Cap
itol, which was well filed, to prepare the way
for the proposed State Convention. Hon. E.
P. Weston called the meeting to order, and on
his motion Hon, w. A. P. Dillingham;, the &C
compIished Speaker of the House, was called
to the chair, with O. G. Hamilton, Esq, of
Waterboro, the youngest member Of the House
Secretary. ata
Prayer was offered by Rev. A. Mckenzie. The
first address was by Rev. G. Pearl, giving
rapid review Of the Freedmen movement, the
formation and progress of the American Mis-
sionary Association, and its present wide
spread work among the Freedmen, the results
of labor, and the need of more labor and means
for their support. He spoke of this Associa-
tion as one of the several engaged in this
work, the Oldest ofthem, and one that has now
the confidence of the colored people and their
friends. i'gts s@ Z & Hgt
Rev. A. Mckenzie OF Augusta, chained the
audience by an earnest appeal in behalf Of the
Freedmen, as having immediate and impera-
tive claims upon us along with the overthrow
of the rebellion and the varied ministrations to
the soldiers and sailors of the nation. His en-
dorsement of the Am. Missionary Association
was most cordial, and the illusions to Rev.
David Thurston, its venerated President were
admirable. bsaa9i sa. .i.a 81
Rev, A. ]. Bates, Chaplain of the 18th Me.
regiment, just returned, gave vivid picture
Of the civilization OF the Freedmen, their
schools, and earnest efforts to become qualified
for life of freedom. IS H rsae h'
Hon. Geo. w. Woodman, Senator from
Cumberland, made brief and telling speech,
full Of sympathy for the cause and giving US
to understand how the work for the Freedmen
was done in Portland the last year, and could
be done elsewhere. ~
The closing speech and good one, aiming
at practical results, was by Hon. E. P. Weston,
Superintendent Of Schools. In closing he sug
gested that very pleasant way Of aiding the
cause might be found in selecting from among
the applicants, referred TO by Mr.. Pearl,
teacher who shall worthily represent Maine,
and be known as the teacher sent out to the
Freedmen by voluntary offerings OF the Maine
Legislature. He was sure Mr.. Pearl would
not'object to this, though he had not proposed
collection at this meeting.
The chairman very pleasantly intimated
that those who approved the suggestion of the
last speaker, could remain and confer with the
Agent after the adjournment; as for himself
{ who had been named as one of the Speakers ;
he was sure that, at this hour he should bet
ter serve the cause by reading as the closing
service, the very interesting letter of Ex- Chief
Justice Tenny, which is as follows:
dia u l AUGUSTA Jan. l3, 1855.
Reu and Dear SIR: ~ aial
am very sorry that shall not be able to
attend the meeting this evening in behalf of
the Freedmen The efforts now making for
this class of our people shonld have the sup
port and furtheranee of all who wish well to
the country and the race OF man.
Having been for long time down-trodden
and injured portion ofhumanity, whose aspira-
tions 1or happiness and hereafter must rest up
on the truth which procaims the same Immor-
tai destiny to them and to us we should not
withdraw from them the blessings which we
ask forsourselves. In causing the shackles of
slavery TO be unloosed we are not released
from our obligations to see their physical
wants supplied, and to aid in their feeling that
they are mentally and morally created in the
image Of God, and that human Feedom is a
boon from Heaven, which all are entitled to
enjoy and which all are bound to improve.
sc Yours most respectfully,
~ JOHN S. TENNEY.