The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-04-02
THE OPERA HOUSE PACKED
LAST NIGHT FOR CHARITY'S
SAKE.
GOV. HOGGS MOST F0RC|BLE TALK
He Made Most Interesting Speech and
Told Some Home Truth in Detail.
A Subscription Was Taken Up.
Features of the Meeting.
From MONDAYS Daily. }


mass meeting at the opera house last
night for the purpose of securing funds
for the Armenian sufferers The opera
house was packed from top to bottom,
most all the churches having abandoned
their night services for the purpose of
letting their congregations attend the
meeting at the opera house. The exer-
cises were most interesting, but as is al
ways the case where Governor Hogg is
on the program he excited the most inter-
est, and many favorable comments were
heard on his speech, which is given be-
low.
The curtain went up few minutes
past s o'clock, revealing on the stage a
very large choir, most of the ministers of
Austin, Maj Ira III. Evans, Colonel Mil
ler Mr.. II. VI. Castleman, Mr.. II. w.
Gregory, Mayor Lewis Hancock and
others. The Rev. Mr.. Deutcher opened
the exercises by reading 20 verses from
the 9th chapter Of Matthew. An ear
nest prayer was then offered by DR.. Den
son. Mayor Hancock then said he had
been put down on the program to explain
the object of the meeting, but he felt sure
every one in the audience knew as well
as he the meetings object. He declared
no matter what the differences of creed
and political thought that every one felt
animated by universal sentiment of
humanity. SO far as the Armenian mat
ter was concerned it was not question
of the cause of tine existing atrocities
and trouble in Armenia but how could
the suffering be alleviated? Humanity
was the key note of the meeting then
assembled. He declared that civilization
takes its stand as we yield more and
more to the dictates of humanity. And
he felt, from viewing the large gathering
before him, that the big heart of Austin
was deeply touched by the cause for hui
mainly as exploited by the atrocities in
Armenia. And the assemblage had been
brought together to see what practical
effect could be given our feelings of
humanity and sympathy for those who
are so terribly distressed across the
water. We should answer the claims
of humanity upon us tonight, he said, in
no uncertain way.
The choir then, with Professor Collins
beautifully Onward, Christian Soldier"
DIR. Wright then, i'll very earnest
speech, explained the terrible need of
assistance for the suffering Armenans
and recounted many of the outrages per-
petrated against them. He said the
ministers of the city very much regretted
to close their various places of worship
on any Sunday night, but in such Il cause
of humanity as the one now engaging
fhntp atA tt.,v Il. H..
join in this meeting. He then briefly re-
viewed the history of the Armenians
from the earliest times down through the
eleventh century when they fell under OPP
preston, and then on down to the pres
ent day. He declared that this was not
the first time the Christian world had
been called upon to lend succor to the
suffering Armenians as they groaned
under the yoke of expressions and out
RACES He said the church of this coun-
try for many years had been sending
missionaries and aid among them. He
then read copiously from religious and
monthly papers which gave the very
strongest proofs of the existence of the
terrible outrages complained of. One
monthly was as late as the April num-
Der, and in that, after giving more. recent
instances of outrages, earnest appeals
were sent out for assistance for the
hungry. naked and suffering. DR.. Wright
then paid glowing tribute to the earnest
and persistent efforts of Minister Terrell
in aid of the Armenians. He declared
him a grand friend to the cause of hui
mainly and Christianity and his course
an honor to this Nation and especially to
his home here at Austin. He then closed
his speech with an earnest appeal for aid
for the suffering and needy of Armenia.
The choir then sang "Throw Out the
Life Line" and then Mr.. T. w. Gregory
treated the audience to short and patri- |
otto talk, of which this is the substance: