The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-12-11
OUR POOR
A MEETING IN THEIR BEHALF.
THE CHARITABLE AROUSED,
CONTRIBUTION.
NEARLY $1,000 SUBSCRIBED.

Tho meeting OF Lincoln Hall last evening
was not A. well attended as ito object or the
we'll known iiberallty Of the citizens Of Wash.
ington warranted.
The following gentlemen occupied the plat.
formi Peter Parker, ESQ.,, president of the
association, Revs. Tustin, Butler, Rankin,
Wilson and Newman, and A. X. Browne,
esq, general agent.
Among the audience were Vice President
Collar, A. r. Shepherd, Clinton Lloyd, Mai.
AtLee, Q. W. Denham, DR.. William Boyd,
II. A. Hall, Charles Kyser, Major Richards,
Captain Brock, A. s. Pratt, d. II. Smith, c.
Q. Burr, Rev. @. A. Hall, Commissioner
Piper, James z. Fitch, William Bond and
several other distinguished citizens.
The meeting was opened with prayer by
Rev. Ssptimus Turin.
Mr.. Parker, AFTER explaining that q nun.
Der Of the members Of the association were
prevented BY Providence from attending the
meeting, said the Secretary would read some
notes that had been received.
The Secretary then read the following.
WAsBiSeros, Dec. u, 1862.
Cannot be present at the meeting tonight
out ,he OBJECT has my sincere sympathy. Set
ne down for nfty dollars per month during the
| season. 3. p. CHASE
Also, letter from Simon Wolf, ESQ.,, re.
GREETING the night selected was one on which
he could not attend as II was the beginning
Of his Sabbath. He had hoped that the
meeting would have been postponed until
amer the concert on Tuesday night, from
which 1t was expected to realize at least
1000.
Mr.. Browne stated that Messrs. George
W. Riggs and Henry d. Cooke had promised
a contribution Of 800 each, and Mr.. W. s.
Huntington $50.
Mr.. Parker said he had received a mes
sage from Mayor Bowen saying his health
was 90 bad that his physicians would not
allow him to come to the meeting, but his
sympathies were with 1t.
Mr.. Parker said from the dome o. the
capitol one could look down upon city Of
1900 Inhabitants, 1900 Of whom needed
and had received aid during the past season.
1t was the wants Of this class that had
| called them together. He made an earnest
appeal for the poor, not only the outcast, the
crippled and MANNED, but those who had
seen better times. When mother expressed
herself, as ono had to him, that she would
rejoice to see her children laid In the grave
to relieve their suffering and wants, there
must be real poverty.
Mr.. A. K. Browne related a number of
cases that had come under his observation
rs agent OF the association, the details OF
which were enough to move the coolest
heart. Among others, lady, who had been
In good circumstances, had called upon him
with child In her arms sick from want Of
proper nourlshment. Her husband was sick,
aud she had come TO ask for blanket 10
cover him with. Another man, q cripple,
who could earn a little II he could get work,
had stated that his wife was unable to work,
and they had, with their three children, been
three days without food. A number OF sim
liar cases were recited.
DR.. Newman was then introduced, and
made an eloquent appeal for charity. When
tho message: "My charities arc your crcd.n-
tials."
He had been, he said, debating In his own
mind whether charity was optional or
obligatory, and had concluded that It was
binding upon us. He said there was dis
position at some Of the meetings he had at
tended to ascribe charity wholly to Chris
tianityi but history had shown to the cou-
trary. The difference was that Pagan char
ity was from impulse, while Christian char
ity became duty.
DR.. Butler followed. The work they had
to do did not need much speaking. lie be-
lieved the people Of this city had hearts,
and he felt sure the association would obtain
the money needed. The people of this
Christian city required but to know their
duty TO do 1t. He related several instances
Of merit that had come under his notice to
show the necessity Of finding out that class
who had seen better days, but were now re-
duced to the verge Of starvation by want of
employment, and urged that in bestowing
temporary relief they should keep In view
the Idea Of eudeavoring to hnd employment
for the needy.
He said the size OF the audience ought not
to be looked upon as discouraglng. The
people had confidence In the association, and
did not feel q necessity OF being at the meet
Ing TO watch them. The people would con-
tribute literally to the cause when called
upon.
Rev. Mr.. Rankin said he was sorry to spoil
one OF Mr.. Buffers stories, but he had lust
been informed there was not dollar In the
treasury. II the heart of society was right,
the purse was empty. He paid handsome
compliment to the lberalty aud good feeling
shown by Chief Justice Chase and Mr.. Wolf.
Mr.. Browne bespoke liberal patronage
OF tho concert by the Washington Senger-
bund on Tuesday evening.
Mr.. A. 8. Pratt. here contributed $50.
Mr.. kayser handed the secretary his dol
lar, and .ten more for the association"
Mr.. VIM. Bond handed In $40. Mr.. Fitch
said he was authorized to put Mr.. A. r.
shepherds name down for 800. rApplause.
"a Stranger" handed In $40. Mr.. ]. T.
Holmes $40.
Mr.. Browne said he saw present gentle
man from the Seventh ward who, last sea-
| son, was one Of their most Jealous, hard.
working and selfsacriacing visitors; man
who had given nearly everything he had to
the poor, and he would call upon him to
inform the meeting as to the condition of
the poor In his ward at this time. He al
luded TO DR.. VIM. Boyd.
DIR. Boyd, In response, gave an account of
the suffering and misery he had witnessed In
his visits to the poor, and feellngly cx-
pressed bis regret at his inability to assist
them. He also made touching allusion
to his experience as one of the distributors
Of soup at the soup.house last winter. His
simple narrative Of what had come under
his own observation made strong impress
sion on the audience.
Mr.. Clinton Lloyd regretted the small at
tendance. Abiding to the question Ia DR..
Sewman's mind, he said he had long since
become convinced that charity was a duty.
He proposed that circulars be left in every
house, urging people to attend their next
meeting. To support his remarks he would
contribute $50.
The president said request had been sent
10 the ministers requesting them to preach a
sermon and give notice Of the meeting. Tho
request had not reached them in time or he
mad no doubt the meeting would have been
larger. wv"
DR.. Newman said he liked the practical
bearing OF the meeting, and he liked the
theology. He did not know whether thew
could get the ministers 10 preach a sermon.
He favored Mr.. Lloyd's circular. He had
not preached a sermon, but he would pledge
the Metropolitan church for 800 next Sun-
day. Applause
Vice President Colfax rose and requested
10 be put down for 900. Loud applause, |
Mr.. r. II. Smith gave $50.
Major AtLee said he had not the mower to
put his hand In his pocket and contribute as
the gentlemen were doing, but he had Just
competed lecture upon the Bible and
Shakespeare, which he would deliver In that
hall at any time the association desired; he
thought something could be obtained for the
poor In that way.
The president thanked him, aud would
place his offer In the hands OF the managers.
Mr.. Browne announced that the Arion
Quartette club, assisted by number of other
distinguished performers, would give a con-
cert for the poor some time In January, from
which they expected to realize q, 900.
After another appeal by the Chair for a
liberal support to the concert on Tuesday