Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-01-10
IMPORTANT MEETING IN SAVANNAH.

IMPORTANT MEETING IN SAVANNAH
The following memorial was addressed to the
Mayor by the citizens Of Savannah;
70 Hon. r. D. ASaold, Mayer J ths Guy Of
SapInaah
We, the citizens Nf Savannah. believing that
the interest of the city demands that immediate
action be taken - get the voice Of the people
upon matters relating to her present and future
welfare respectfully request that Il meeting of
the ctiz US be called On Wednesday, 29lh inst,
at IL o'clock 10 the Exchange Long Rooms, to
give them an opportunity to express themselves
10 reference 10 the eiy's welfare
To this the Mayor replied by publi.Aing the /
following call
| 10 The Cihz.as sf SavaaAah;
In conformity with the request OF the alder
meu Of the city, aud ps The citizens At large, |
hereby call q meeting of the citizens, TO take
place at the Masonic Hall on Wednesday, Ihe
18th December, 1854. al II O'Clock. NJ.
r. D. ARNoLD, Mayor Of Savannah
The meeting called for WAS held, when the
Mayor made the following speech;
FgLLow-CITIIEas OF 5AvASsAH' Al the re
quest Of the aldermen of the city OF Savannah.
aud OF a large humber Of the eit,ssns have
convened you together this day. for you to give
expression to your views aud sentiments 10 the
trying state Of affairs in which you ere now
placed 1t is for US no longer Crisis. The
crisis is past, and it - for you 10 decide upon
the particular line Of action each and all Of you
may determine to pursue
Our action is TO be determined solely By our
situation, as We have no authority or power 10
speak for others outside Of our limits. But We
are the judges Of our own situation. eau speak
for ourselves, and ought 10 do so by all the CON
siderations Of prudence, and will say, common
sense and humanity, TO mitigate, if we can, the
effects Of the heavy blow witch has fallen upon
US.
, Our city contains twenty thousand inhab-
tauts, without food, without fuel without auy
rsmuneratisa industrial pursuits, without any
place Of refuge, cut of from all connection with
the country. Ths heart sckeps at the sight
thus presented.
1t is our duy to mitigate, as We cannot avert
a the terrible suffering by all the means which
: reason and common sense may dictate, regard
less of all abstrActive views. | have weighed
the matter Rnxiousy, and have arrived at "A no
sitive conclusion that there 10 but one course to
i pursue But il 10 not my province, as calling
the meeting, to say more at present. When the
city was taken, through me- as chief magistrate,
d you asked protection, You all know that il was
f granted to you, and We all feel deeply indebted
;. to Brigadier General deary for his cIuJuct as
cOmmandant Of this city. Having convened you,
and expressed 10 part my views. it remains for
you to appoint q chairman Of tho meeting
a The following resSlutious reported BY cum.
!. mlttee, Wtra unanimously adopted
- Whereas, BY the fortunes Of war, aud the sui
!. render Of the city by The civil authorities, sa.
vAnnah passes once moro under tue authority Of
the Uuited States; and, whereas, we believe TINT
+ the interests Of the city will be bsst subserved
i and promoted by free and full expression oil
l. our views 10 relation to our present condition,
lf We, therefore, the people Of Savannah, 10 full
lr meeting assembled, do hereby
r- Resolve, That We accept the position, and in
Is the language Of the President Of the United
ID States, seek TO have "peace by laying down oui
m aims and submitting to the national authority
under the Constitution" ''leaving all questions
ID which remain to be adjusted by the peaceful
'e means of legislation conference aud votes ="
Resolved, That, laying aside all differences.
and buTying bygODes In the grave Of the past
= we will use our beat endeaVors once more Il
- bring back the prosperity and commerce We
:, once enjoyed.
= Resolved, That we do not put ourselves il
the position Of q conquered city asking terms OF
t. the conqueror but we claim the immuuties apC
d privileges contained in the procl ,matiou anc
n message of the President of the Uuited States
% and 10 ell the legislation of Congress-, IL
e reference 10 people situated as we are aud
n while We owe on our part stlict obedience tC
the laws Of the United States, we ask the pro-
lection over our peTsOns lives and property re
D, eognlzed by thUse laws.
e Resolved, That We respectfully request his
l. excellenoy the Governor To call convention oil
= the people Of Georgia, by auy constitutional
=. means 10 his power, TO give them an opportuni,
]. Of voting upon the question, Whether they wisi
the war between the two sections Of the countr,
e to contnue
3, Resolved. That Major General sherman hav
Y ing placed military commander of this pos
N Brigadler General Geary who has by his ur.
g 3anity as gentleman and bis uniform kindnes.
d to our eitizans done all 10 his power to protect
J. them and their property from insult and injury
1t iB the unanimous deslre Of all present that Lt
be allowed to remain in his present position aud
d that, for the reason above stated, the tlanks o
" the citizens are hereby rendered to him aud th,
officers under his command
Resolved, That an official copy of these reso
lutions be sent to the Presidebt of the Unite.
=! States, the Governor Of Georgia, Geu Sherman
Y and to each the Mayors Of Augusta, Columbus
u Macon and Atlanta.
=, Mayor Arnold hos divided this city into wards
" for the purpose Of distributing food to the des
titute, and seems to be doing everything III hi.
power to amshoraIe the condition Of the citizent
- General Geary, lcommandine the city, holds fre
- qusnt conferences with him, and complies wit
et all reasonable requests for the benefit of th
population.
General Sherman has issued an order givin
prStectiOn to citizens in legitimate pursuits au
requiring only reasonable restrictions, continu
as ing the Mayor and City Council in their func
90 itons, who, In concert with the commsndaut
the post, are directed to make provisions for th
needy. Those who wish to leave Savannah Of
given permission, and those who remain are re
"a quired to Prove themselves lNyal The newupu
a. pers are restected to two, tie editors aud put
al llshers Of which ara held responsible foF whl