Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-10-06

The citizens who assembled at Lincoln Hall
last evening in response to the call of the Dis
trict Commissioners for public meeting, to
take measures looking to the establishment of a
Garfield Memorial Hall, indicated adeepinterest
and an earnestness of purpose, which augurs
well for the patriotic and philanthrOpc enterprise
Among those present were Commissioners Dent
and Morgan. Mr. Justice Miller, DR.. F. A. Ash
ford. Hon. James Gilfillan. Geo. NJ. Lockwood,
Chief Justice Drake of the Court of Claims,
Judges Cox and Hagner of the District Judi
ciary, Walter A. Davidge, DR.. A. Y. P. Gar
nett, Crosby s. Noyes. Geo. w. Cochran,
Hon. NJ G. Emery. Dr. d. c. Patterson. Dr. Basil
Norris. U. s. A.. W. s. ROOse, John A. Baker,
John l.. Vogt. Lewis j. Davis. w. w. Burdette.
Dr. A. p. Pardon. John X. Major. VIM Dickson,
rett, Lee Crandall, DR.. T. 8. Verdi G. Lans-
burg. E. W. Whitaker. DR.. VIM. Johnson w. F.
Mattingly. John G. Judd, J. H. Saville, NJ w.
Beverldge. A. S. S OlOmOns, F. w. Pratt, H. w.
Garnett. DR.. j: Ford Thompson, DR.. Smith
TOwnshend G. F. Dawson. w. H. Chase Prof
and Mrs. H. c. Spencer, F. D. Conger, DIR. D. w.
Prentiss. An admirable portrait of President
Garfield draped in black, occupied a conspicuous
place on the platform.
Mr.. Dent, in calling the meeting to order,
stated that the plan OF erecting memorial hos
pital had commended itself to good citizens
both from patriotic and from philanthropic
standpoint. He nominated as chairman of the
meeting Mr.. Justice Miller, and the nomination
having been confirmed Justice Miller was es-
cOrted to the chair. He said that he considered
it both an honor and privilege to preside over
meeting with such objects. 1T would be a
strange thing, he thought, if the people Of
Washington, the people Of the United States,
everywhere should not come forward in the
name of Garfield and unite in this memorial.
THE OFFICERS.
no foil
clamatiOn: Vice charmen. Hon. ThOs. l.. James,
Hon. Geo. b. LOring, Hon. VIM. Lawrence,
Judge VIM. Strong. Judge d. K. Cartier. Com
missioner Dent, w. w. COrcOran, Gen. .Eppa
Hunton, Prof. Spencer Baird. John W. Thomp-
son; secretary, John A. Baker; treasurer, Hon.
James Gilflan, treasurer U. s.
motion for the purpose having been made
by Mr.. SOlomOns. the chair appointed the fol-
lowing as committee on resolutions: A. S. Sol
onions. Lewis j. Davis, DR.. A. Y. p. Garrett,
Rev. Dr. j. c. Yelling and Judge w. S. Cox.
AN ADDRESS By Mr.. RIDDLE.
Mr.. A. G. Riddle, during the absence of the
committee, made, in response to a call, a brief
but feeling and appropriate address upon the
late President and the object Of the meeting.
During the course of his remarks he said: This
city was Gen. Garfeld's priced home-he lived
here. His children were born here. The people
knew him, and loved him,-a broad, large-na-
tured man. Such men. he said, do not wander
far from the cradle where they were first rocked
They find their grave near the same spot. They
are rare and remarkable. If there were differ
ences in the man, it was in his large hearted
ness He radiated magnetism. Men who never
saw him came to love him. The people of the
capital in considering what they could do to
best perpetuate the name of Garfield had wisely
chosen that it should be national institution of
charity. OF all the schemes that could be de-
Vlsed that which would appeal most to Garfield's
own broad sympathies, were he alive. would be
this memorial hospital.
When Mr.. Riddle concluded the committee on
resolutions came upon the platform and through
Mr. SOlOmons reported the following:
THE RESOLUTIONS.
Whereas, The whole civilized world has been
shocked and moved to tears by the untimely
death of the late President of the United States
and will, we believe, unite with us in testifying
It's admiration of the man for his unsullied vir-
tues. eminent craftsmanship, unfiinching cOur-
age, and for his patient endurance and SteaClfaSt
hope during his protracted and painful illness,
and
Whereas, 1t is desirable to perpetuate his cher
shed memory in manner consistent with his
constant practice of doing good unto Others"
m the most direct and practical way, and
Whereas, During life he always manifested the
greatest interest in all charitable institutions
and at the close of his Congressional career ex
pressed his great desire to see established in
W ashingtOn general hospital and promised to
aid such benevolent enterprise to the full ex-
tent of his ability; therefore, be it
Resolved That the citizens of the United States.
and loving. sympathetic friends everywhere,
will doubtless consider it a privilege. well as a
duty to their departed brother, James Abram
Garfield, to erect to his memory free, general
hospital, to be national in character, and con-
Quoted on the broadest basis of common hui
manlty; and that this monument of the peoples
esteem and gratitude be known as the GARFIELD
Memorial Hospital" and located in the Dis
rict of Columbia, where he was so ruthlessly
stricken down in the discharge of his public
1utics; and with the view of promptly promoting
his object it is further
ResOtred, That Mr.. Justice Miller, of the SUI
Dreme Court of the United States, chairman of
his public assemblage, held in the city of WASH
on odn may OF % Is 90 appoint
with full power and privilege to fill vacancies to
lake such action as will consummate to the full
est extent the object herein set forth.
Mr.. Riddle moved the adoption of the resolu-
TONS
Judge Drake said he understood the resolutions
provided for the location of the hospital within
the city Of Washington. As the corporate limits
Of the city were restricted and it might be
deemed advisable to place it outside of the CITY
On some of the surrounding high lands. he sug-
yeSted that the resolutions be amended so as to
read lin or near the CITY," An amendment sur-
sested by Mr.. Judd. substituting the words '.in
the District of Columbia" for ''in the city," was
accepted by the committee. The resolutions
" ere then adopted.
The chairman. Justice Miller suggested that
rs the committee provided for by the resolutions
were numerous it would be better to postpone
The announcement OF the names. 1t was voted
HAT tue CHAT SHOulu announce the names
through the press.
LETTERS OF REGRETS.
The secretary, Mr.. Baker, then read number
If letters. The first which had a deep black
border, was from j. Stanley Brown. private Sec
etary of the President, stating that the Pres-
lent had received and read with int crest the in
IitatOn to be present, and lin reply he directs
lie to say that while he is heartily in sympathy |
With such movement he finds his time already |
70 fully occupied that he cannot promise to be |
present at the meeting this evening"
The next was from Gen. W. T. Sherman. stat |
ng his inability to be present and adding :! am |
n hearty sympathy with the object described |
md will be more than willing to assist in any |
practicable manner calculated to bring your pur-
pose to successful conclusion"
letter was received from Gen. D. G.. Swain. |
regretting his inability to be present, and say
Ing that the project met his hearty approval
The next was from Henry E. Knight. senior
alderman of London, now visiting this country.
1t was dated at the Windsor hotel, New York.
and after stating the writer's inability to be
present on account OF indisposition, adds: at
is superfuity to wish, as the well-deserved
and universal regard in which your late Presi-
dent was held both here and abroad, and the
cruel circumstance under which he has been
torn from the high position he filled with so
much honor, grace and dignity, has left wound
SO deep in the hearts Of all good and loyal men