Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1870-05-03
Public Meeting.

On Saturday night last, a public meeting Of
the citizens of Ssaunton, was held la the Court
house for the purpose of expressing their grief
at the loss of lives occasioned by the dread
disaster which occurred in Richmond on
Wednesday last, and their heartfelt sympathy
for the bereayed and suffering.
On motion of N. K. Trout, Esq, Hon. A.
H. H. Stuart was called to the chair, and r.
Mauzy and W. II. H. Lynn were appoint ted to
act as Secretaries
In feeling and touching remarks, admirably
suited to the sad occasion, the Chairman ex-
planned the object of the meeting,
Judge H. W. Shelley then addressed the
meeting in an appropriate and eloquent man
ner predatory to Offering the following pream-
BILE and resolutions:
Whereas, on Wednesday the 9th day OF
April, by the falling of the flooring of the
Court Room, in the Capitol in Richmond,
several hundreds of persons we're pTeepitated
into the Hail. of the House of Delegates, many
Of whom we're instantly killed, and greater
number wounded, some MORALLY and others
more or less seriously; and whereas, in view
of this frightful disaster, which has entailed
unspeakable sorrow upon the relatives and
| friends of its victims, has spread sadness and
gloom over the entire Commonwealth, and Sent
thrill of horror Throughout the entire coun-
try, elicitng as it has done, expressions of pro-
| found coincidence from distant portions of the
| United States-the citizens of Staunton have
met together, to express their sense OF this
grievous affection, and their sorrowing sympa-
| thies in this universal bereavement; and
whereas, the Governor Of the Commonwealth
has appointed Wednesday next, as q day Of
| humiliation and prayer, to the end that our
people may, IN meet and proper manner, with
stricken spirits. bow in submission to Gods in-
scrutabIe will, learn to recognize His goodness,
even in the midst of His most affective dis
pensations, and invoke His grace and strength
| to enable them to walk humbly before Him,
with child like faith and love; and whereas it
| becomes us, who Share In this common sorrow,
| to take part with others in revereat acts Of
self sbaseMent and in fervent supplicatious to
our Heavenly Father for the continuance OF
| His goodness aud mercy to US as people -
Therefore,
| l. RESOLVED, That thu eitisens of staunton
have heard, with profound sensibility, and
With a grief. which no form of words can ex-
press, Of the terrible calamity which has be-
fallen their brethren in Richmond that they
mourn, with personal sense Of SORROW, over
| the sudden destruction Of so many precious
and yaiuables lives, and the painful suferings
of so many, who are manned aud wounded,
and they tender to the widows, and orphans,
to the hereaved and suffering ones, their heart
felt sympathy, and their fervent prayers for
God mercies to them, in the midst of their af:
flictions.
sod. Resoiaed, That the Clergy and citizens
| of The City and County be requested, in ODE
dience to the recommendation of the Cover
nor, to observe Wednesday next as day Of
humiliation and prayer; that all places Of bus
mess be closed-that the houses OF public wor-
ship be opened, and that the people assemble
therein, aud, devoutly led by their Clergy in
services appropriate to the occasion, unite in
bowling humbly before the chasteniugs of the
Lord, and invoke His restoring smiles and con.
solutions.
3rd. Resolued, That the chairman Of this
meeting appoint committee, to consist Of
such number as he may deem expedient, to re.
ceive contributions from the citizens of the City
and County to be forwarded to Richpand fol
the relief of the sufferers, and Of those who
have been left destitute by this calamity.
The chair appointed the following to consti
the nka Cen 9udse sn ho o5s ams
Bumgardner, Col. Bolivar Christian. j. G.
Marquis, John B. Evans, Col. M. G. Hartman
I q NJ re CUSHING Aaye E. Il. PECK, VIM. II. b
lynn, P. Byron Hoge D. G. McGufin.
4th RESOLVED, That the proceedings of this
meeting be published in the papers of the
City of Staunton and the City of Richmond.
In seconding the motion for the adoption o
the preamble and resolutions, Gen. John Ech'
OILS gave expression to impressive and eloquent
remarks The Chair then submitted the pre-
amble and resolutions to the vote of the meet
ing, when they were adopted unani mously.
In response to the sentiment expressed b,
the Chairman, which vas echoed by both thu
other speakers, and which struck responsive
chord in the bosoms of all present, Judge Shelf
fey added the 3rd resolution above to the 9th
ers previously prepared by him.
On motion, the meeting adjourned.
A. H. III. STUART, Chairman.
r +; MAuz2 z w Secretaries,