Year: 1873

READY AND EAGER FOR WAR.


The meeting last evening at Steinway Hall, the
object OF which as set forth in the call was ITO
protest against the recent atrocities IN CUBA ana
She outrage upon the American nag" had some
thing the old patriotic re and ardor character
king those memorable gatherings OF our leading
eitizcns succeeding the news OF the attack upon
Fort Sumter. The public pulse that then throbbed
with such terribly feverish excitement has,
through the massacre-and such Is the mildest term
snr American people apply to the wholesale execu-
tions OF those captured the ill-fated Ylrginius
been again quickened into the same rapid beating.
Eow, as then, our leading citizens met in grave
IoncOurse-a concourse upon whose results, as all
felt depended questions OF the most vital national
Importance; questions involving national honor
and the lives and liberties OF American citizens;
questions underlying the whole matter of the
protracted struggle for Cuban independence, and
whether it is not time that our government should
interfere to put an end to the barbarous atrocities
perpetrated by the Spanish authorities upon this
poor Cuba whose only crime has been an unyield-
ing ave years. struggle to free herself from the
hateful tyranny OF the Spanish yoke.


Oh, il there be in this earthly sphere


A right or cause that heaven holds dear,


1t il the last libation which liberty draws


From the heart that has bed or died in her cause.


The in the street outside, despite the gloom
bf the weather, was equally animated. Before eight
D'cl0cK the crowds gathered around the entrance
70 Steinway Hall and eagerly awaited the opening
Of the doors. The sidewalk from Union square to
the Academy of Music was thick with men and
boys, crushing ana elbowing each other as the
mass Of people was disturbed at any point. As
eight O'Clock drew near carriages went flying by
toward the Academy, bearing their loads OF opera
Koers and less fashionable ladies and gentlemen on
similar mission bent, but treadlng the streets on
loot instead OF being borne along on siken
cushions, came trooping to Fourteenth street,
where they might be seen standing in dismay as
hey beheld the crowds blocking up the sidewalk,
preventing further progress For these people to
pursue their the middle of the street was
IN act which would jeopardze their lives,
20 the only resource left for them was to crush
bheir way through the crowds along the sidewalk,
Alded by the lurld light OF calcium which was
Rflxed to a post attached to wagon IN front OF
Bteinway Hall. The rain had been coming down
With great vehemence Tor considerable time and
had now been succeeded by fall OF wetting naky
Bnow, which forced Its way almost under the num-
berless umbrellas which formed kind of con-
nected canopy for the assembled multitude At
least three out OF every five persons had umbrellas
and the admirable order with which these were
held aloft was good indication OF the anxiety OF
The crowds In behalf OF Cuba Lbre or the Amcri-
can nag. But no amount OF breakages or twistings
Of the umbrellas could deter the crowds, and in
bhe rain or under cover they held their ground
until the doors OF Steinway Hall were thrown open,
When with umbrellas still spread some few thou
sand persons rushed into the hall and got
seated, leaving the staircases and the hall.
way blocked with as resolute Q few hundred
men as ever meant to attend meeting. The
crowds still continued TO come pouring in
around the hall, and in very short time
&he places Of those who had been fortunate enough
80 gain admittance filed with others not less
eager and not less patient. After short time the
state OF affairs in the street became known to
some of the managers of the meeting, and with
praiseworthy promptitude they at once engaged
Tammany Han for the evening. The word that a
meeting was to be held in Tammany Hall quickly
spread among the expectant walters, and imme.
diately rush was made down along Fourteenth
street to Tammany. The doors once open, nun
dreds OF men rushed madly up the staircase in the
dark, and having gained the large hail. which was
not yet lighted, rousing cheer was given in the
dark for suffering Cuba, and as the light suddenly
burst from the jets another cheer was given
Ior Cuba Libre The han was now one
half full OF those who had been unable
to gain admission to Steinway Hall, and the
audience patiently waited for several minutes





arrived. The prudent action in engaging Tam
many Hall relieved the streets and the corridor
and staircase OF Ste,nway bail OF tho numbers who
had been in those places vainly hoping for
chance OF admission, and in very ehort time there
was scarcely any one out in the rain except lew
lads, who might by this time have desyaired Of
selling their Cuban nags.


At few meetings In our great city has such en-
thusasm shown itself as at both thoseof last night
and especially at Steinway Hall, where certainly,


mid the vast sea Of faces, rising wave above wave.
there has rarely been witnessed many OF our
prominent citizens-men drawn thither, not to
harangue the populace or to give to themselves
notorlcty, but drawn there simply by heartfelt
devotion to common cause. On the
platform were our representative men OF
business, commerce and the professions There
were no banners, no notices, none OF the hack
neyed incentives to enthusiasm marking most
great public meetings. The occasion demanded
no such outward demonstrations. The meeting
meant bnsiness-a business OF most serious solemn
import. II there any doubt OF the pent up
enthusiasm 1t showed itself when Mr. William NJ.
Evarts was introduced as President OF the meet
ing. He was greeted with a perfect ovation OF
cheers. But the heart and feeling OF the assem-
blage were shown In tho hushed silence with
which he was listened TO at times, and then the
wildness OF enthusiasm greeting portions OF his
speech. And so IL was throughout most OF the
succeeding speeches. From the beginning to the
end OF the meeting the enthusiasm increased, in
stead OF essening. There was unanimity OF
thought impulse, heart and purpose.


THE STEINWAY HALL MEETING.