The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-16
THE BALTIMORE MEETING.

Tue prOieSSeQ IrlenQS oil freedom.
THE BALTIMORE MEETING.
BALTIMORE, Jan Is, 1875
| Despite the freezing nature Of the weather and
the condition OF the streets the citizens turned
out en- naaSSe tonight TO express their disapproba-
ton OF the course pursued by the administration
in Louisiana. Long before the hour for the meet
ing an immense cOncOurse gathered in the
vicinity OF the Masonic Temple, and in q few
moments after the doors were thrown open
the spacious hall was filled to its utmost
capacity. The floor presented the appear
ance OF compact mass Of human heads, while
the dOorways, the aute room and the staircases
were packed with those anxious even to get q
glimpse OF the speakers and catch an occasional
sentence from their lips Baltimore has seldom
witnessed such an assemblage OF representative
men. The leading BANKERS merchants, lawyers
doctors and clergymen OF the city were present,
irrespective OF party afiliation, and, from the
unanmity OF sentiment and hearty cooperation
displayed, 1t was evident that all were Impressed
with the gravity of the situation and the absolute
necessity that the people in their majesty should
rise to rebuke the outrage perpetrated in
Louisiana. A novel feature OF the occa-
sion was the presence OF o number
OF ladies' in the gallery, who, doubtless
were drawn thtther by the prominence and ability
OF those advertised to speak. Never had orators
a more worthy field for the display OF their
powers, and never perhaps in this city, has there
been more credltaDle exhibition Of that mighty
force which sways the masses. Mr.. Reverdy John
son was OF course, the central figure on the plat
form but there were others who called forth the
most unbounded enthusiasm. Mr.. Wallis biting
sarcasm was well set or by the concluding words
Of VIII aQid t.
IT here tonight, not because OF my
attachment to any party, nor because OF
my hostility to any party; l have long since
shaken OF the ties Of party; but because love
my country, and at such q moment the feeblest
voice should ada its mite In condemnation OF those
who seek lis overthrow
At eight O'Clock Mayor Van SAINT called the meet
ing to order and nominated the folio owing gentle
men as 0ficers:-
President-Hon. Reyerdy Johnson; Vice Pres-
dents-Hon. Joshua Van SAINT, Otis KeilhOltz
Henry James, Decatur h. Miller, G. Morton Stuars.
Hamilton Easter, Robinson ". Gator. Winam
John I. Ford DR.. Milton N. Taylor, George Nj.
Gill; william H. Perkins, General F. .: La
samuel G. Wyman, Josiah Lee johnston,
James A. L. Mcclure, James Hodges, William q.
Harrison, Charles J. Baker John G. Gettings, Rob
Caughey, DIR. Charles W. Chancellor, Charles Il.
Mercer, Charles G. Kerr, James l.. McLane, James
Daniel Ratclltie, r Sands Mills, +. p Pendleton,
DR.. George W. Benson Charles J. NJ Given, Colonel
an, Henry Clay Dallam, General Charles E. Phelps,
Joseph ). Hemsier, William Ii. Carpenter, Albert
IeWis' Leonard Passano' Charles A. GsnmbriII.
Thomas II. Lowering, James M. Buchanan, Richard
Morris, Jr., James P. Thomas, john V. L. Findlay,
.Secrstaries-C. G. Groomes, William Robertson,
Arthur Y. I Mnolland, Andrew r J: George, VII
Captain Matthew Clark.
REvERDY JoHNsoN's ADDRESS.
Mr.. Johnson upon taking the chair was greeted
with the widest manifestations OF delight He
commenced the reading OF his speech, but quickly
requested the indulgence OF the audience, as he
was getting old and his sight was falling. MIR.
Charles G. Kerr, his son-in-aw, then continued
the reading Of his speech, which was fol-
lows
FELLOW CIT1zENs-I sincerely thank you for sc.
lectlng me To preside at this meeting ana for the
cordial manner In which my pl essence Is received.
the meeting Is composed Of members Of both the
political parties into which the people or the
country have been divided and many who, until
now have been jealous and uniform supporters
Of the President and his administration. They
are unable, however, to give their approval of
what he has authorized to oe done in louisiana,
and are convinced that what has been there done
and IS being done Is not only an outrage upon
the rights OF her people, but dangerous
tne rg S oi a 'ne v cnp o. an 1ne peo
TO state. as briefly as can, the reasons which
have led me TO tuat conclusion. No occasion mas
ever occurred In the history OF our country OF q
character more grave than the one which brings us
together this evening. II should be considered with
solemn seriousness and with all the temperance
that our sense OF the wrong which has been done
TO q sister state, and Of the inevitable tendency Of
That wrong to produce similar one to any other
who mas any knowledge OF our forms Of
governments and oil the principles or free
dom upon winch they rest, and who Is
not blinded by party preJudlces and o desire to
keep in power the men who now control the gen.
eral government cannot fail to see that those
forms ana principles have been grossly violated
such conduct Is not sterny rebuked, II It passed
by In sence 1t IS easy to foresee the political
lamitles which Will result from 1t. That 1t Will not
be passed by In silence and Will be sternly rebuked
the signs OF the times give every assurance. The
people are aroused everywhere. words OF re-
preach and indignation Ill the air: the press Of
one voice crltcise the conduct OF the
government with q severity Of ,, censure
extent OF the outrage OF which the nation COM
plains Is a lew established facts Will show. The
state OF Louisiana has been, ana Is now, recog-
nlzed as one OF the States OF The Union. As such
sne Is represented in both branches OF Congress-
Mr.. Johnson then related the history OF the LOUIS
lana outrage. giving the various details. lie then
GOVERNOR KELLOGGs JUSTIFICATION.
The only ground upon which Governor Kellogg
they adopted is, that the members whom they
elected from the hall had not certificates OF their
election from the Returning Board. A few words
Will show how utterly unfOunded Is this pretence.
That Board was not substituted, and
could not have been substituted, Tor the Legis.
AZURE IN passing upon the election returns aud
nave the same right TO pass upon the legality OF
the proceedings OF the Board that they would have
had TO pass upon the proceedings OF the super
vlsors OF election II no such Board had been pro.
vded Tor. the Board was constituted, II consti-
tuted IUr an honest purpose, merely to facilitate
t,pa rnfn md 4 Gru finp tto