The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-01-22
Practical sympathy.

Practical Sympathy.
AID FOR THE IRISH sUFFERERs-THE
MEETING AT THE OPERA HoUsE-$40O
TO START WITH.
At 1880 O'Clock last Tuesday night, the
time appointed for meeting OF the citizens
OF Staunton, to take steps for the relief OF
the starving children OF Ireland, but few
people, had assembled In the Opera House.
After some little while, the music OF the
Stonewall Band began TO stir up the popu-
lace, and an audience Of between 200 and
300 gathered. These, however, were scat
tered about through the large ball and made
by no means an imposing appearance in the
way of popular assembly.
At eight O'Clock Mayor Balths
CALLED THE MEETING
to order, and in handsome little speech OF
some five minutes explained its object, and
appealed to the audience assembled to come
forward to the work Of relief. He then in
troduced Col. j. H. Skinner, who stated
that he was present with the expectation Of
addressing the citizens Of Staunton, but as
his voice was not of sufficient vulume to
reach them at their homes, and as so few
had manifested interest enough in the cause
to be present, he declined to say anything
farther,
When Col. Skinner ceased speaking chill
seemed to come over the audience, and for
few minutes it looked as il the meeting
would have to be postponed, but Capt. Ran.
son, from the audience, stated that it was
the desire Of those present to carry out the
object for which they had assembled, and
after another omlnous pause. the ball was set
in motion by the reading of stirring letter
from Maj. Nc Mahon, who is now at Catletts-
burg, Ky. This letter was accompanied by
check for s31, contributed as follows ::
Mai. McMahon, $40; NJ. B. Vance, IS; Gus.
L. Crone, S. Thos. Griffin, So; c has. Nc
borough, 50, and Ed. L. Powell, H. W.
Greene, G. A. McMahon, Jno. Canton, Tim
othy Mahony, Chas. Campbell. 81 each.
At the mention of the name of that grand
old Irishman, Edward Mcmahon, enthusiasm
was kindled and the hall resounded with
applause. The name OF Marshall Hanger
was also greeted with cheers, as the follow
ing letter, containing contribution OF So,
was read:
HALL OF HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
January 18th, 1880.
J. Yost, Esq, Secy &C..
Dear Sir-Your favor OF yesterday extending to
me the invitation of the Irish Relief Assoc iation
of staunton, to be present at meeting OF the
- I,a11 Tnc dor f6o0 sv,ck
is to hand. I fear that my public engagements
will render 1t impossible for me to attend. 1t is
heartily with the object and purposes Of the
movement and am glad to see our people taking
steps to relieve the wants OF brave and suffer-
Enclosed please find contribution OF which
you will take charge and give 1t in the proper d.
Thanking you for the courteous terms in which
you have extended the invitation of the Associa-
ton, am Very Respectfully
Your obsdnt Servant,
MARSHALL HANG Err.
Letters were also read from Rev, Thomas
Hume, w. E. Craig and others expressing
regret at their inability to be present, their
heartiest sympathy in the movement, and
their willingness to contribute to the cause.
1t was stated that Gen'l Jno. Echols, being
absent from the state, had received no noti-
fication of the meeting and that NJ. F. White
ESQ. had been suddenly called away.
When these preliminafies were dispatch
ed, calls were made for Chas. Grattan, who
came CALAMITY to the rescue and delivered
stirring address. He was followed by Rev.
Father McKeefrey, Jno. w. Stout, Capt. |
H. L. Hoover, Rev. DR.. Housh, Maj. 7. c.
Elder, and Col. j. H. Skinner, leach Of whom
delivered appropriate and eloquent appeals
and were heartily applauded. A full synop-
sis of each of these speeches was prepared for
publication, but we we're forced to omit
them, for want OF space.
Although there were several other speak
ers announced, at this stage of the proceed
ings, Capt. Ransom moved that the meeting |
proceed to the collection Of funds, and in |
two minutes the money commenced to come
in. Tom Burke gave $25; Ned Burke, $l5
thirteen gentlemen, including Father Nc
Keefrey, Father McVerry, Col. Skinner, VIM
Wholey, Jno. Burns, Garrett Gooch and
others gave $40 each seventeen, headed by
Johnnie Long gave So each, and the smaller
contributions poured in from all directions.
In twenty-five minutes nearly $500 was col
lected, and after the adoption Of the follow
ing resolutions. the meeting adjourned
RESOLUTIONS.
WHEREAS, The accounts which have reached us |
OF the restitution and suffering in Ireland have
excited such interest here as to induce this gene
raj meeting to consider measures for extending
aid, it is
that this assemblage OF the people OF Staunton is
not convened In the interest OF any political
thy we feel for our fellow-beings under the ter
rible scourge of famine, and by the desire to do
something practically and speedily for their re |
Cd That we look upon the custom, of late so
general in the United States, Of extending succor
visitation of misfortune, as highly honorable to
our people and creditable to their civilization.
That the practice has done much in this country
to heal the wounds Of war and subdue sectional
bitterness. and We trust that this, the extremity
and peope as their gSea
cement the union by removing all the causes of
agitation and giving to the world an example Of
3D. That to this communty.in the old county Of
Augusta. tracing SO many OF its family tradi-
alien, and as we have welcomed many, we will be
glad to welcome more OF that sturdy race to share
with us the fruits Of a kinder sun and soil and
more untrammeled industry. believing from the
many worthy examples now among us, that we
may expect from !, the shores Of Ireland class
men and citizens as brave and honorable, as vir-
tuous and industrious,as cheerful and intelligent,
as free from the mean and dangerous vices OF So
ciety as any peasantry on earth.
4th. That in relief OF a kindly and generous
race, in this their dire distress. we will gladly
contribute Of our means. now and 80 long as the
emergency may continue. according to our abiity.
9Th. That in addition to the collection OF to.
night, standing committee be appointed by the
chair to consist OF five members from each ward
Of the city, and two ladies, who shall be members
at large, with the Mayor as chairman, to be
known as 1.-THE Canvassing Committee of the
Irish Relief Fund of Staunton." whose duty it
shall be to canvass the city for subscriptions of
money and provisions to this object TO keen omen