Page:History of Richland County, Ohio.djvu/328

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��HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

��known to all. A short silence ensued at its close. Mr. William Johnston was the first to speak. " I suppose some of j^ou will be volun- teering now," said he. " Very likely we will," replied some one. The conversation soon l)ecame general. The situation of national affairs wp-s surely serious. When the news became gener- ViWj known over the city, groups of talkers could be seen earnestly engaged in conversation. Trade was in the background just then. Farm- ers came in from the country to learn the latest word, and remained to discuss the situation, or hurried home to inform their neighbors. At dinner that day, the sulyect engrossed the entire family conversation. In the afternoon, posters were seen all over the city, bearing the follow- ing patriotic appeal :

CITIZENS

AND LOVERS OF THE COUNTRY

and

THE UNION,

Come together at the

COURT HOUSE

THIS EVENING. S^^ Gen. McLaughlin and other speakers will ad- dress the meeting.

" About dark," says the Herald, " a large crowd assembled, and soon the old court house was filled to overflowing. The crowd continued pouring in until the stairs were filled, and two or three hundred more collected on the outside.

" The meeting was called to order by appoint- ing James Purdy, Esq., President. This gen- tleman, on taking his seat, stated the object of the meeting in a short speech. The organiza- tion was completed by appointing Grcn. John Meredith and Joel Myers Vice Presidents, and R. Brinkerhoff", and Eckles McCoy, Secretaries. A committee on resolutions was appointed, con- sisting of the following gentlemen : R. C. Smith, M. R. Dickey, Z. S. Stocking, N. L. JeflT- ries and B. S. Runyan. The crowd became so dense by this time, that it was moved that

��the meeting adjourn to Miller's Hall, and a gentleman was dispatched to see if it could be procured. He returned in a short time, and stated that the hall was lighted, and already half full of people. In the mean time. Gen. McLaughlin had been called upon to make a speech. The meeting adjourned to the hall, which was soon filled, and there the General resumed his speech. It breathed that patriotic fire and devotion to the country, for which the old veteran has always been noted. He was frequently loudly applauded.

'^ After he had concluded, the committee on resolutions reported the following :

" Whereas, The Government of the United States, when peaceably attempting to provision her starving troops in Fort Sumter, has been wantonly assailed by traitors to our flag and Government, and Fort Sumter compelled to surrender unconditionally ; and,

"Wherea«, The United States authorities have called upon her loyal citizens to furnish men to enable her to maintain her authority and protect the common property of the people.

^'Resolved, That we have a Government, and for the support of that Government against enemies without and traitors within, we hereby pledge our lives and fortunes, and our sacred honor.

"Resolved, That we, as loyal citizens, hereby pledge our quota of men, and call upon the Legislature to fur- nish means to equip the same for service under the time-honored stars and stripes.

" Mr. R. C. Davis sung the ' Star Spangled Banner " with great effect, the audience joining in the chorus. Hon. B. Burns, being called upon, made a strong Union speech. He was followed by N. L. Jeffi-ies, Hon. Jacob Brinker- hoff", Judge Geddis, M. R. Dickey and W. W. Smith. The meeting kept until a late hour, and the utmost enthusiasm and excitement were manifested.

'' One thing," concludes the Herald, " was demonstrated b}^ the meeting, and that was that all party feeling was obliterated — the politician was sunk in the patriot — and each vied with the other in expressions of devotion and loyalty to the Union."

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