Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-01-18
MASS MEETING.

MaSS MEEl1NG.
The mass meeting of citizens, fol
which call was issued in Saturday
afternoons GAZETTE, gathered in thu
Methodist Protestant Church at $50 d
m. yesterday evening.
Every seat was taken and the aisles
We're crowded with men standing, while
many who arrived late could not effect
an entrance and were obliged to turn
away.
The meeting was opened by the sing
ing of the hymn MY Country, IT'S Of
Thee" followed by the reading of the
Hath Psalm by Rev. L. 1. McDougle
of Trinity M. E Church, and prayer by
Rev. J. h. Butler, of the Baptist
Church.
Rev. Frank t. Benson then, as pas
tor of the church in which the citizens
had gathered, welcomed them; and an.
nounced that, in order that matters
might be conducted in an orderly and
regular manner, he would entertain
nominations for chairman.
On motion of Mr.. J. 4. Cation the
meeting unanimously selected MIR.
George r. Hill, who, on assuming the
chair, said he was satisfied that speech
from himself would not be expected,
as he was no speechmaker, but he
thought that the presence of so large a
gathering inspired by q singleness OF
purpose, would loosen the tongue OF
any man; and be then in few well
chosen words denounced as crime the
evil which the assemblage had been
called together to condemn, and refer.
red in commendatory terms to the po-
lice officers who had recently taken
the matter in hand so wisely and so
well.
In perfecting the organization sec.
rotary was then suggested, and the
choice fell upon Mr.. Thomas II. Neither.
land.
The chairman then called for the Sc
lection of q committee on resolutions,
which committee was made to consist
of Mess. James R. Cation, Worth Hui.
fish and John r. Zimmerman.
While this committee was preparing
its report the meeting was addressed by
Rev. J. T. Williams and Rev. F. Il.
Benson.
Mr.. Williams considered it fitting that
such gathering should be held on the
Sabbath day and in church OF God,
because the day and the place repre-
sented righteousness which was one way
of expressing obedience to law.
a Christian man, he said. Is supposed to
be good man and as such to keep the
laws Of God and man and to do good to
those with whom he may come 10 con-
tact. Ia following out this principle OF
acting for the good of a community OPP
position would always be met with, Tor
Christ himself had said 81 come not TO
bring peace but asword." That in OPP
posing lawlessness the Christian people
do not seek to injure any man, as it is
part of their duty to do good to men,
but to abolish the evil practice in order
to advance the general good.
In closing he. invoked the bless
ing of God upon those in au.
lhority who were trying to do their
duty and prayed that they might have
the moral courage to execute fearless
ly the trust imposed upon them and be
strengthened by the cordial support o!
law abiding citizens. He referred in
complimentary language to the action
of Sergeant Smith and his assistants,
and wished then, God speed in the fur
Their performance of duty.
Mr.. Benson said that the church peo'
ple ia asserting heretofore the preva
lence Of the gamling evil in our city
had been ridiculed as alarmists, that
the recent developments had proved
otherwise, and that he had it from al
eve witness that these places have lured
white and black, male and female,
Young and DID, even children so small
as to have no real comprehension Of
their actual condition, having been seen
visiting such place in large numbers
He commended the recent action oil
Serg't Smith and his brother officers
bnt impressed upon those present that
the fight is not yet finished and that
External Vigilance is the price of Safe
ty."
The report of the committee on reso
lutions was then presented by MIR. Jas
r. Cation, chairman, who said: 1--WE
are not here as individuals nor to ar
raign individuals, but we are here to ar
raign vice, an evil which The law pro
hibits, and to give a decided expires
sion of our sentiments, and to express
4 the view that vigorous measures ought
to be taken to enforce that law. VIZ
are not here this evening
as the representatives OF any
religious sect or denomination. We
are here as good citizens and we are
here to represent as we'll as we CAL
good citizenship and to give emphatic
voice to our position in reference to TIT
- evil which has been brought TO on
consideration. With this short prefac'
I desire to submit the report OF thu
committee, which includes a supple
/ mental resolution expressing sympath.
with the movement in Alexandra
y county looking to the suppression o
gambling in that section
The resolutions. which were thel
read by the secretary, were Us follows
"Whereas the prevalence OF gambling il
our community is q blot upon the fair nam
and reputation of our beloved city, and is a
evil destructive of good morals and of goo
citizenship the existence of which evil IN on
midst has been recently exposed by tho Gu
ergy and fidelity of the sergeant of tho cit
police force and his associates; and
"Wheress we deem it eXpedcut and prope
ct this time to give an emphatic expressio
of our opposition to the gambling evil to con
y mend those who have been instrumental i
Exposing the evil, and 70 assure them and tn
authorities of our sympathy and co-operatio
In the premises