PA Civil War
Civil War History in Philadelphia, PA
Background and Buildup
On the 6th of November, 1860, the long political struggle between the North and the South on the slavery question, which began in the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and which was intensified by the purchase of Louisiana in 1803, ended with the election to the Presidency of Abraham Lincoln and the triumph of the Republican party. The accession of the anti-slavery party to political power filled the South with dismay and created the greatest excitement throughout the country. Hardly had the result been ascertained before some of the extreme Southern States began military preparations, and set on foot measures to carry into effect their oft-repeated threats of secession and combination in resistance to alleged Northern encroachments. Meetings were held in every city, town, and village of the South, and these were addressed in vehement language by members of Congress and other prominent speakers. Resistance to the authority of the new administration and the duty of the Southern States to secede from the Union were the chief topics of their impassioned appeals to the people. On the 20th of December the State convention of South Carolina, after a brief debate, passed the ordinance of secession by a unanimous vote, and on the following day a declaration of the causes which had led to this action was also adopted.
The announcement of the passage of the ordinance of secession excited general enthusiasm in all the more Southern slave States, but in other slave States, particularly the border States, it served to intensify the painful feeling with which their people had watched the progress of events in South Carolina. That the action of the latter State had been hasty and ill-judged a majority even of the people of the South admitted, and this fact gave additional poignancy to the general sorrow with which this first disunion movement was regarded. By the passage of the South Carolina ordinance of secession an impetus was given to the prevailing excitement in the South, and the measures of the cotton States, looking in the same direction, were greatly accelerated. Mississippi followed the example of South Carolina on the 9th of January, 1861; Alabama and Florida, January 11th; Georgia, January 20th; Louisiana, January 26th; Texas, February 1st; Virginia, April 17th; Tennessee, May 6th; Arkansas, May 18th; North Carolina, May 21st; and Kentucky, November 20th.
The progress of these events caused intense excitement in Philadelphia, where the people were pronounced and decided in their support of the Union. The geographical position of the State of Pennsylvania, added to its overshadowing political importance, made the duties of the Governor peculiarly responsible and perplexing. Separated from the slave States by an imaginary line, and looked to from both the North and the South to exhaust its great moral and political power to avert the threatened conflict, every expression from its government was awaited with profound interest. It was under these grave circumstances that Andrew G. Curtin took the gubernatorial chair. The conflict which was then raging throughout the country obliterated old and sacred landmarks in political teaching, but in his inaugural address of January, 1861, Governor Curtin proclaimed the duties of patriotism, and sounded the sentiments of the North upon the relations of the States to each other. In that address he said, "No one who knows the history of Pennsylvania, and understands the opinions and feelings of her people, can justly charge us with hostility to our brethren of other States. We regard them as friends and fellow-countrymen, in whose welfare we feel a kindred interest, and we recognize in their broadest extent all our constitutional obligations to them."
Upon the right of a State to secede from the Union, he said, "No part of the people, no State, nor combination of States, can voluntarily secede from the Union, nor absolve themselves from their obligations to it. To permit a State to withdraw at pleasure from the Union without the consent of the rest, is to confess that our government is a failure. Pennsylvania can never acquiesce in such a conspiracy, nor assent to a doctrine which involves the destruction of the government. If the government is to exist all the requirements of the Constitution must be obeyed; and it must have power adequate to the enforcement of the supreme law of the land in every State. It is the first duty of the national authorities to stay the progress of anarchy and enforce the laws, and Pennsylvania, with a united people, will give them an honest, faithful, and active support. The people mean to preserve the integrity of the National Union at every hazard."
Again on the 30th of April, when the Legislature met in extraordinary session in obedience to his proclamation, he said, "The time is past for temporizing or forbearing with the rebellion, the most causeless in history. . . . The insurrection must now be met by force of arms, and a quarter of a million of Pennsylvania's sons will answer the call to arms, if need be, to wrest us from a reign of anarchy and plunder, and secure for themselves and their children, for ages to come, the perpetuity of this government and its beneficent institutions."
Finally the Legislature of the State passed the following resolutions, early in the session of 1861, upon the subject of secession, then being actively pushed in the Southern States, which were a fair index to the temper of the people, and which gave no uncertain sound as to the course which Pennsylvania would pursue in the impending crisis:
"Resolved, That if the people of any State in this Union are not in full enjoyment of all the benefits to be secured by them by the said Constitution, if their rights under it are disregarded, their tranquillity disturbed, their prosperity retarded, or their liberties imperiled by the people of any other State, full and adequate redress can and ought to be provided for such grievances through the action of Congress and other proper departments of the national government. That we adopt the sentiment and language of President Andrew Jackson, expressed in his message to Congress on the 16th of January, 1833, that the right of a people of a single State to absolve themselves at will and without the consent of the other States from their most solemn obligations, and hazard the liberties and happiness of millions composing this Union, cannot be acknowledged, and that such authority is utterly repugnant, both to the principles upon which the general government is constituted, and the objects which it was expressly formed to attain. That the Constitution of the United States of America contains all the powers necessary to the maintenance of its authority, and it is the solemn and most imperative duty of the government to adopt and carry into effect whatever measures are necessary to that end; and the faith and power of Pennsylvania are hereby pledged to the support of such measures in any manner, and to any extent that may be required of her by the constituted authorities of the United States. That all plots, conspiracies, and warlike demonstrations against the United States, in any section of the country, are treasonable in character, and whatever power of the government is necessary to their suppression should be supplied to that purpose without hesitation or delay."
The authorities of Pennsylvania understood the magnitude of the impending conflict, and resolved to prepare for it according to their appreciation of the public danger. With a long line of southern border exposed to the sudden incursions of the Confederates, and the Union army at first composed of only three months men, and likely even with these to be outnumbered in the field, they determined not to rely upon the mistaken conceptions of the Federal authorities for the protection of the State. Immediate steps were taken to organize troops, subject to the call of the Federal government, if needed, and to be at all times in readiness for active service. And when the nation stood appalled after the disasters at Bull Run, and Washington was exposed to the attacks of the Confederates, Pennsylvania was the first to forward a thoroughly organized and equipped military force to strengthen and reinspire the Union army in defense of the capital. The reputation of the State for promptness in furnishing troops when called for by the government was maintained throughout the war. Pennsylvania, during this crisis, was an empire in itself, and its vast wealth and resources were constantly tempting to devastate it. She, however, never asked that the armies in the field should be diminished to defend her territory or maintain the State's authority; but, on the contrary, she cheerfully supplied every demand for troops as fast as called for, and in addition always displayed a willingness to raise forces for her local protection. The Legislature gave an attentive ear to the government appeals for aid in defense of the Union, and voted liberally millions of money in support of the cause. Besides all this, Pennsylvania was ceaseless in her devotion to the interests and wants of those whom the State had given for the national defense. She sent kind agents to the field, who visited the soldiers in their camps and provided for their wants. Wherever were sickness, or wounds, or death, there was the official agent of the State to perform every duty to the living and the last rites to the dead. The bodies of the deceased were brought back to sleep with their kindred, and their names enrolled in the lists of the martyred patriots.
The election of Mr. Lincoln excited comparatively little interest in Philadelphia. The result had been accepted beforehand as a foregone conclusion. "We never saw an Selection," said a Philadelphia paper of November 7th, "for even ward officers, that excited so little interest. . . . After nightfall persons began to assemble about the newspaper- and telegraph-offices to get some news from New York. But there was even here nothing like the interest usually evinced in a Presidential election." About nine o'clock at night a procession of men and boys made its appearance on Chestnut Street, with a transparency at its head bearing the inscription, "Lincoln on his way to the White House." The illustrations of this text were, however, so equivocal as to make it uncertain what party the men belonged to, and, finally, when the procession reached Fifth and Chestnut Streets, a disturbance occurred, which caused the interference of the police and the arrest of the more active participants. During the evening processions were formed by the Lincoln clubs belonging to the different wards, each having transparencies with the majority given in the ward represented by it.
At a meeting of the Democratic Association of the Twenty-second Ward, held at their hall in Germantown on the 8th of November, Harry Ingersoll, late Democratic nominee from the Fifth Congressional District, presiding, and Franklin Jones, secretary, resolutions were adopted regretting the result of the election, but declaring it to be the duty of all Democrats to acquiesce in the will of the majority constitutionally expressed. At the same time it was resolved "to extend to that portion of our 1860 fellow-countrymen of the South, who think differently, the assurance of a cordial and respectful fellow-feeling, under the invasion of their constitutional rights and domestic peace and dignity to which they have been so long subjected by the controlling voice of the party which has now prevailed in the choice of a Chief Magistrate." The South was also urged to reflect well before proceeding to extreme measures, and was appealed to not to desert "the weaker party at the North, struck down in their defense." The sentiments expressed by Mr. Lincoln in his speeches were denounced as being "subversive of our mixed federal and national system," and it was declared that they (the members of the meeting) were "not yet able to spare a single star or a single stripe from the glorious flag of the Union." Among those who advocated the resolutions were J.G. Gibson, A.S. Tourison, Albertis King, George W. Wolf, William Best, H. Harkins, and Harry Ingersoll.
On the 22d of November the banks of Philadelphia determined to suspend specie payments. The measure was precipitated upon them, and the other banks of the Union, by the political agitation which had destroyed confidence between the North and South, suspended trade, and produced widespread monetary embarrassments. The suspension, though it came suddenly upon the community, was generally regarded as unavoidable, and was acquiesced in as a probably temporary inconvenience, which a favorable turn in the aspect of political affairs might render of only short duration. The large manufacturing interests of Philadelphia, on the other hand, did not feel the effects of the crisis until some time after the election. The Public Ledger of November 27th said,
"The present financial and political derangement of affairs does not seem to affect the large manufacturing interests of Philadelphia to any great extent. At least most of those we visited yesterday have their usual number of men employed, and are receiving orders and remittances from the South. . . .Some of the large manufacturers of furniture, which is sold to dealers in the South, have been somewhat affected, but as yet only a few men have been discharged. . . . The manufacturers of carriages, which are sold at wholesale to the South, feel the effects of the pressure considerably, but not to such an extent as yet as will be likely to lead to a general discharge of hands, for there are still orders arriving."
Thursday, November 29th, was observed as Thanksgiving Day in Philadelphia with the usual services in the churches. Among the sermons preached on this occasion was a discourse by Rev. E.W. Hutter, on "The Blessings of the Union," delivered in St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, New Street below Fourth. Rev. W.T. Brantley preached at the First Baptist Church, corner of Broad and Arch Streets, on the causes of the political troubles with which the country was afflicted. In the afternoon there was a parade of military organizations.
At a meeting of manufacturers and business men of Philadelphia and vicinity, held at the Manufacturers' Exchange on the 1st of December, W. Blakely, of Delaware County, presiding, it was decided, in view of the business depression, to recommend to manufacturers of cotton and woolen goods that they should run their mills at half time until increased sales or reduced stocks justified full-time production once more. A resolution was also adopted to the effect that the longer selling of domestic dry-goods on eight and ten months' credit was impolitic.
In the Select Council, on the 6th of December, Mr. Drayton offered the following:
"Whereas, There is great reason to fear that there is serious peril of the dissolution of the Union of these States, under whose protection we have grown to be a great and prosperous nation, and it is fitting that the citizens of Philadelphia, that city in which the great principles of the Union were first embodied and promulgated, should in some suitable way express their love for the Union and their devotion to its perpetuation, and to the strengthening of those bonds which unite us, whether of the North or the South, the East or the West, as one great and united people; therefore,
"Resolved, By the Select and Common Councils of the city of Philadelphia, that the mayor of the city be, and he is hereby requested by his proclamation, to invite our fellow-citizens who love the Union to assemble at the old State-House, at twelve noon of a day to be appointed for the purpose, there to express their attachment to the Constitution of the United States, and their love for the Union which it creates and protects.
"Resolved, That a joint special committee, consisting of six members from each chamber of Councils, to which shall be added the presidents, be appointed to co-operate with the mayor in such arrangements as may be proper in their judgment by way of preparation for such meeting."
The resolutions were adopted by a unanimous vote. In Common Council, after a prolonged discussion, the resolutions, as they came from Select Council, were passed by a vote of fifty-three to sixteen.
It having been announced that George William Curtis would deliver an abolition lecture before the People's Literary Institute on the 13th of December, intimations were given out that if the lecturer attempted to speak there would be a disturbance, and it was said a mob had been organized to break up the assemblage. In consequence of these reports, Mayor Henry addressed a letter to J.W. White, chairman of the lecture committee of the institute, stating that the appearance of Mr. Curtis as a lecturer would be extremely unwise, and that if he possessed the lawful power he would not permit it. The lessee of Concert Hall, in which the lecture was to have been delivered, notified Mr. White that he had been informed officially that a riot was anticipated, and that, under the circumstances, he could not permit the hall to be used for the purpose indicated. The lecture was accordingly postponed.
In accordance with the resolutions of the City Councils, Mayor Henry issued a proclamation calling a meeting of citizens in Independence Square, "to counsel together to avert the danger which threatens our country." At the request of members of the bar who desired to participate, the courts adjourned over the day of meeting, and the navy-yard was closed by order of Commodore Stewart. The meeting was held on Thursday, December 13th, in the presence of an immense concourse of spectators, estimated to number fifty thousand persons. Charles B. Trego called the meeting to order, and nominated as chairman Alexander Henry, mayor of Philadelphia, who was received with cheers. William H. Drayton then read the following list of vice-presidents and secretaries:
Vice-Presidents, Samuel Breck, Charles Macalester, C.W. Poultney, William J. Duane, John B. Myers, John M. Irwin, Edward Cobs, Matthew Baird, Joseph Lea, Charles J. Ingersoll, John B. Austin, A.J. Boswell, David S. Brown, L.J. Leberman, Thomas Barnett, Robert Morris, Benjamin Gerhard, Pierce Butler,
T.T. Tasker, Sr., John Thomson, Robert Kelton, Anthony J. Drexel, Charles S. Coxe, John T. Smith, M. Robinson, V.L. Bradford, G.W. Toland, Gen. Robert Patterson, S.M. Felton, Robert Ewing, D. Rodney King, Peter A. Keyser, Josiah Randall, Edward S. Whelen, Wiliam Martin, Robert Steen, C.R. Moore, W.A. Blanchard, Dr. C.D. Meigs, E.G. Dutilh, Abraham Hart, J.B. Thomson, Elijah Dallett, Thomas H. Powers, John Robbins, Jr., Jasper Harding, George D. Rosengarten, Charles H. Fisher, John L. Goddard, Samuel V. Merrick, J. Eisenbrey, Jr., Stephen Colwell, Eli K. Price, J.H. Campbell, Charles N. Bancker, Dr. William Wetherill, Arthur G. Coffin, Archibald Campbell, Peter Sieger, Frederick Brown, Benjamin Rush, T.H. Dupuy, Captain James West, Richard C. Dale, Barton H. Jenks, F.A. Packard, H.C. Harrison, Col. Joseph S. Riley, John O. James, Frederick Fraley, S.T. Altemus, Isaac Lea, James V. Watson, J. V. McLean, Thomas Robins, A.S. Roberts, William B. Lejee, John S. Hart, John McCanless, David Jayne, Dr. W. Shippen, John Baird, T.E. Harper, James Dundas, J.B. Caldwell, Henry Rowland, H. Catherwood, George H. Stuart, Edward Dingee, Henry C. Carey, George Thompson, Dr. John Neill, George H. Martin, John Rice, Benjamin Rowland, Edward H. Trotter, William Struthers, Henry Bumm, James C. Hand, S.W. De Coursey, George Bartolett, Andrew C. Craig, William F. Hughes, John P. Levy, Isaac P. Morris, Edwin H. Fitler, Joseph Patterson, Peter McCall, G.B. Presbury, William Sellers, David P. Brown, J. B.P. Stevens, S.A. Mercer, G.H. Kirkham, Col. James Page, J.Phillips Montgomery, O. Campbell, Eli W. Bailey, J.B. Colahan, J.B. Lippincott, Hugh L. lodge, P. Williamson, A.L. Bonnafon, T.T. Tasker, Jr., C.J. Wolbert, John Childs, John Welsh, J.C. Mitchell, E.P. Middleton, Isaac Jeans, David Samuel, C.H. Rogers, Gen. W. Duncan, Jules Hauel, Robert Wood, Caleb Cope, Moses Thomas, F.B. Warner, Dr. James Bond, Frederick Fairthorne, William Cramp, Nathan Roland, J. Hansworth, Richard Price, St. George Tucker Campbell, George Trott, H.R. Coggeshall, J.Wainwright, Asa Whitney, J. Rodman Paul, A.G. Waterman, Joseph B. Mitchell, Thomas Smith, M.S. Shapleigh, John Grigg, Joseph A. Clay, Alexander Brown, Lemuel Coffin, Dr. S. Thomas, Charles Harmer, D. Solomons, Edward Hoopes, Arad Barrows, D.B. Cummins, Thomas Rowland, Benjamin Lehman, J.C. Cresson, William Divine, S.S. Bishop, Col. John G. Watmough, David Faust, P.V. Savery, D.C. Enos, John Passmore, Dr. J. Pancoast, James Dunlap, Francis Cooper, Isaac Koons, Samuel Moore, W. R. Thompson, William B. Bement, Albert Benton, Francis King, Henry Croskey, James B. Campbell, Benjamin F. Huddy, Joseph Ripka, A.G. Cattell, William B. Taylor, Daniel Smith, Jr., Commodore Charles Stewart, Benjamin Etting, William D. Lewis, George K. Zeigler, B.H. Brewster, Gen. Cadwalader, William C. Ludwig, F.J. Dreer, Charles Megarge, William Welsh, F.G. Smith, Charles J. Biddle, Edward C. Dale, James S. Smith, Henry Simons, W.L. Springs, Thomas S. Newlin, S. Morris Waln, John Jordan, Jr., B.H. Rand. The secretaries were Conrad S. Grove, Joseph F. Tobias, J.F. Johnston, Charles Wheeler, S.W. Arnold, B.C. Mitchell, Chapman Biddle, J. Bonsall, A.J. Holman, Coleman Fisher, C.A. Yeager, W. Sargent, M.D., G.W. Hacker, John M. Collins, T.A. Barlow, Benjamin Patton, Dr. John Gegan, W.D. Cozzens, T.C. Wood, J.Murray Rush, C. Pierce, W.D. Lewis, Jr., J.B. Montgomery, B.W. Richards, Benjamin S. Riley, R.P. Kane, H. Samuel, James D. Keyser, J.D. Sergeant, E.A. Hendry, L.N. Brognard, M.J. Micheson, G. Townsend, Gen. W.M. Reilly, C.W. Littell, E.S. Amer, William Sergeant, W. Clifford, J.C. Fryer, J. Ballenger.
Right Rev. Dr. Potter, Protestant Episcopal bishop of Pennsylvania, at the invitation of Mayor Henry, delivered a prayer, in which he petitioned that "a double portion of the wisdom and patriotism of the fathers" might "descend and rest upon their sons, that from this place there may go forth an influence which will be felt throughout the republic, an influence which will tend to the healing of the waters of strife and discord, and to the bringing back to our distracted land the reign of unity and concord." Mayor Henry then delivered an address, in which he stated that the people of Philadelphia were now called upon to avow their unbroken attachment to the Union and their steadfast determination that no honest effort should be left untried to preserve its integrity. John B. Myers read a series of resolutions proclaiming the attachment of the people of Philadelphia to the Union, pledging that every statute in force in Pennsylvania, if there were any such, invading the constitutional rights of a sister State, should be repealed, recognizing the obligations of the act of Congress of 1850, commonly known as the fugitive slave law, pointing "with pride and satisfaction" to the recent punishment and conviction in Philadelphia of those who had broken the provisions of the fugitive slave law, by aiding in the attempted rescue of a slave, as proof that Philadelphia was faithful in her obedience to the law; recommending to the Legislature of Pennsylvania the passage of a law giving compensation in case of the rescue of a slave by the county in which such rescue occurred; acknowledging and submitting "obediently and cheerfully" to the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States as to the recognition of slaves as property and the rights of slave-owners in the Territories; declaring that "all denunciations of slavery as existing in the United States, and of our fellow-citizens who maintain that institution and who hold slaves under it, are inconsistent with that spirit of brotherhood and kindness which ought to animate all who live under and profess to support the Constitution of the American Union; "cordially approving the suggestion that a convention of delegates from the several States be held for the purpose of suggesting remedies for the dangers that menaced the Union, and appealing to those Southern States which were considering the question of seceding from the Union to forbear and not destroy "so great and so fair an inheritance." Speeches indorsing the resolutions were made by Hon. Joseph R. Ingersoll, Judge Woodward, Charles E. Lex, Theodore Cuyler, and Isaac Hazlehurst, after which S. Benton offered a resolution, which was adopted, that the presiding officer appoint a committee of three citizens to prepare a report of the proceedings and provide for its widest possible circulation throughout the Union.
The demonstrations in behalf of union and peace were not confined to the mass-meeting. Nearly all the wholesale stores and many of the retail stores on Second, Third, Market, Chestnut, and Eighth Streets were closed and decorated with flags. The Continental Hotel displayed three large American flags. The balcony was draped with the national colors, and along the front of the building was exhibited the motto "Concession before Secession." A number of private dwellings were decorated with bunting, and attached to the horses and cars of the street railway lines were small streamers of red, white, and blue. On the 15th it was announced that Mayor Henry had been deputed to transmit the resolutions adopted by the meeting and reports of the speeches to the authorities of South Carolina.
On the 14th of December a meeting of the Twenty-second Ward Democratic Association was held in Germantown, which also included "friends of the Union irrespective of party." Benjamin Rush presided. George W. Wolf offered, a series of resolutions, which were adopted, approving the measures recommended by the Union meeting in Independence Square, and cordially responding "to all the inspiring proceedings and patriotic resolutions of the great Union demonstration." A resolution offered by C.W. Littell was also adopted, commending Governor Hicks, of Maryland, for "his declination to convene the Legislature of his State for the purpose of adopting measures preparatory to her secession from the Union." A. King having been called to the chair, the president, Benjamin Rush, offered a series of resolutions, which were unanimously adapted, declaring that the meeting could give "no countenance to the extraordinary doctrine lately set up, that this great Union possesses no power to maintain its integrity," and that it contemplated with infinite pain the projected secession of South Carolina, hoping, however, that she would not put it out of her power to retrace her steps. Addresses on behalf of the Union and conciliation, and in favor of securing the just and coequal rights of all the States, were delivered by Mr. Rush, John S. Littell, Henry Flanders, Emmanuel Rey, and Samuel Johnson.
December 18th it was announced that Mayor Henry had selected S. Benton, J. B. Lippincott, and J.S. Newlin as a committee to attend to the distribution of the pamphlet containing a report of the proceedings of the Union mass-meeting.
1861.
Desiring to obtain a parade-ground for the troops under his command, Gen. Patterson, who was then major-general First Division Pennsylvania Volunteers, made application early in the fall of 1860 to the City Councils for permission to use the arsenal lot. The Councils referred him to City Solicitor Charles E. Lex, and a number of letters passed between Gen. Patterson and Mr. Lex, which were published in the newspapers of Jan. 2, 1861. The lot in question had been conveyed by the city of Philadelphia to the State of Pennsylvania as the site for an arsenal, but had been rented by the adjutant-general to the Western Market Company. It was alleged that the adjutant-general had acted without authority and in violation of the agreement between the city and State. Gen. Patterson applied to City Solicitor Lex to know what steps could be taken to recover possession, and Mr. Lex replied that the only remedy he could suggest was the placing of a fence around the square by the military, and if the market company attempted to tear it down, the bringing of an action of trespass against them to test the right of the adjutant-general to make the lease complained of Mr. Lex's advice did not satisfy Gen. Patterson, who, in a rather caustic letter, said, "I cannot bring myself to believe that when Councils referred my communication to the City Solicitor, they intended that officer to tell the military to put up a fence around the arsenal yard, to employ men to watch for the person who tore the fence down, and whose butcher, huckster, or fish wagons were put on the arsenal yard or lot, and that then when this was ascertained, that the military or the major-general was to employ counsel, commence an action for trespass against the offenders, waste his time and dance attendance at courts in a controversy with persons who never had a transaction with him, and who, when he got a verdict, would probably not be able to pay the costs, and all this to test the right of the adjutant-general to make the lease complained of." He added that if it was Mr. Lex's opinion that the Councils intended, in referring his complaint to him (Lex), "that the military should incur the expense and trouble of protecting the public interests and property," he would thank him to say so. On the 26th of December, after the lapse of some weeks without action on the part of the City Solicitor, Gen. Patterson again wrote to the City Councils, stating that, having been disappointed in the hope that the City Solicitor would take measures to protect the interests of the city and have the fence removed by the market company replaced, as the lot was required for storing certain articles and for the use of the men under artillery instruction, he would make application to those bodies for the necessary action to have the lot fenced in.**
On the 3d of January, Captain C.M. Berry, of the Minute-men of '76, fired three salutes of thirty-three guns in honor of Maj. Anderson, the commander at Fort Sumter, S.C., one at two o'clock at the corner of Broad and Spring Garden Streets, one at three o'clock at Broad and Prime Streets, and one at Reed Street wharf. After the firing three cheers were given by the spectators for Maj. Anderson. A salute of thirty-three guns was also fired by the Shuffler Hose Company in front of their house.
On the evening of the same day a meeting was held at the Board of Trade rooms, mainly representative of the mercantile interests of the city, at which reports were received from the district committees charged with the work of procuring signatures to a memorial to the State Legislature praying for the repeal of certain sections of the statutes relating to the return of fugitive slaves, and also "asking for the repeal of any former legislation which might be deemed unfriendly to our Southern brethren." During the meeting it was stated by Marcellus Mundy that the memorialists were likely to be misunderstood, as from the memorial it might be made to appear that they desired the repeal of the law against kidnapping. They desired no such repeal, and Mr. Mundy suggested that the sections of the law which were desired to be repealed should be printed and sent to the Legislature along with the memorial.
On the 4th of January a meeting composed of about one hundred and fifty leading citizens of Philadelphia was held at the Board of Trade rooms,
Chestnut Street above Fifth, in pursuance of a call signed by C.G. Childs, Henry C. Carey, M. McMichael, Edward G. Webb, Charles Gilpin, Ellis Lewis, C.C. Lathrop, Lewis C. Cassidy, William D. Lewis, William H. Kern, and Daniel Dougherty. In the call it was stated that the object of the meeting was to consider "what measures should be adopted by the citizens of Philadelphia in the present condition of our national affairs to aid the constituted authorities of the State and general government in the enforcement of the laws, to remove all just ground of complaint against the Northern States, and to secure the perpetuity of the Union." On motion of Sheriff William H. Kern, C.G. Childs was called to the chair, and Lewis C. Cassidy, who had acted as secretary of a previous meeting, was, at the suggestion of Charles Gilpin, appointed secretary. In taking the chair Mr. Childs said that a few days before some half-dozen or more gentlemen had met at that place "to talk over matters, and ascertain, if possible, the best course to be pursued, and it was agreed that each should make inquiries among his circle of friends and acquaintances, in order that when they again met, by comparison they might ascertain what the sentiments of the people of Philadelphia were." The speaker expressed the hope that they would be able to present a united front, and that the measures adopted by the meeting would be in accordance with those patriotic feelings which ought to govern a State in which the Declaration of Independence was adopted and promulgated." In conclusion he said, "Let our action here today show that we are determined to uphold and strengthen the administration of the government, and to put down disunion and everything that looks like a separation of this glorious confederacy."
Hon. Ellis Lewis, who had signed the call for the meeting, followed Mr. Childs, with the request that his name be stricken from the call, as he found that his views did not agree with those of some of the other gentlemen, and he feared that, if urged, they might disturb the harmony of the meeting. The president replied that an effort had been made to bring together gentlemen of all political parties in order that a free interchange of opinion might be had, and he hoped Judge Lewis would remain and give the benefit of his counsel. C.C. Lathrop also urged Judge Lewis not to withdraw, and Daniel Dougherty called attention to the fact that as the motion of Chief Justice Lewis to have his name stricken from the call had not been seconded, it was not before the meeting, and he hoped he expressed the unanimous wish that he would remain and take part in the deliberation. If not considered discourteous he would offer a series of resolutions, with the request that they be referred to a committee, with the exception of one, on which he desired immediate action. This resolution was as follows:
"Resolved 4, That we heartily approve the conduct of Maj. Anderson, the gallant commander of the United States Fort Sumter, in Charleston Bay, and we thus express the unanimous feeling of our great State; and that we call upon the Federal authorities to furnish him such reinforcements as will convince him and the enemies of the republic that the laws are to be enforced at all hazards, and that resistance to these laws is treason, and will be punished as such."
The reading of the resolution was greeted with great applause, which was followed by cheers; when Judge Lewis said, "Mr. President, allow me the pleasure of seconding that resolution." Mr. Dougherty then read the other resolutions, which declared, first, "that there exists no right of peaceable secession, that secession is rebellion, and that the laws of the United States must be enforced by the proper authorities;" second, "that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and that the Union, like the Constitution, was intended to be perpetual, because it asserts no power of self-destruction, and provides for its alteration by a certain explicit mode;" third, "that we will cheerfully sustain the Federal government in all honorable efforts to maintain the Constitution and enforce the laws, but that any refusal to do so ought to be punished by the impeachment of all the guilty parties;" fourth, "that in view of the threatening aspect of public affairs, it is advisable that the military establishment of Pennsylvania should be put upon a new footing by the augmentation of the present regiments, and by such State legislation as will encourage all citizens to enroll themselves at once, either by increasing the present militia force or by an appropriation out of the public treasury;" fifth, that "we heartily indorse the sentiments of the message of Governor Packer, as well as the speeches of Robert M. Palmer, Speaker of the Senate, and Elisha W. Davis, Speaker of the House, as to the propriety of Pennsylvania repealing any law that may be improperly construed to give offense to the rights of the people of any sister State;" and, sixth, that "we call upon the senators and representatives of Pennsylvania in the Congress of the United States, without reference to party ties, to join in any honorable adjustment that will restore the ties of brotherhood that until recently have united all the people of the republic." Charles Gilpin moved that these resolutions be referred to a committee; but, before the motion was put, Judge Lewis offered another set of resolutions, to the effect that, as the people of the Southern States had "contributed their blood and treasure in the acquisition of the Territories equally with those of the other States," the principle which recognizes the rights of all the States to the same "is founded on the clearest equity, and ought to be supported by every good citizen, unless a satisfactory division line can be settled by an amendment to the Constitution;" that "it is equally clear that every constitutional right in the Territories, as elsewhere, ought to be protected by appropriate legislation;" that "every State is bound by the Constitution of the United States to aid in delivering up fugitive slaves to their owners, and all legislation which refuses such and throws obstructions in the way is unconstitutional, and ought to be repealed and substituted in accordance with the Federal duties of the respective States;" that "no State has a constitutional right to resist the laws of the Federal government by force, whether in the form of partial nullification or secession, and that such armed resistance is treason and rebellion, and should be put down by the naval and military power of the nation;" that "if the Northern States should be unwilling to recognize their constitutional duties toward the Southern States, it would be right to acknowledge the independence of the Southern States, instead of waging an unlawful war against them." Mr. Gilpin moved that all the resolutions be referred to a committee, and pending action in the matter addresses were made by William B. Mann, Hon. Charles Brown, and John W. Forney. Mr. Mann urged that the meeting take such action as would make plain the intention of the people of Philadelphia, after full justice had been done the people of the South, that "at all hazards and every sacrifice these people are to be preserved one people under the Constitution." Mr. Brown's speech was strongly pro-Southern in tone. He opposed coercion, and declared that if the people of the North could not do the people of the South justice and satisfy them that it was to their interest to remain in the Union, it was their duty to part from them in peace. If the Northern conquered the Southern States, he added, they "might hold them as conquered provinces, but they could not afterward be held as equals." Mr. Brown's remarks created great excitement and confusion, and toward the close were frequently interrupted. Mr. Forney claimed that the resolutions offered by Mr. Dougherty contemplated no attack upon the South, but simply meant that when the laws created in pursuance of the Federal Constitution had been resisted the power of the government came in force. "We do not propose," he added, "to go to South Carolina, or to any seceding State, for the purpose of compelling such State to come back into the Union. If she chooses to remain outside and deprive herself of the benefits of the government and does not interfere with it and destroy us, that is her loss. But when she attempts to set herself up in defiance of the law and to ruin Philadelphia and New York, to laugh at the authority of the President and to defy this great government, which has made us the proudest people at God's footstool, then the instinct of self-preservation comes in, and we will maintain the Constitution and enforce the laws. That is all." Mr. Forney said further that the people of the South were brothers, not savages, and he therefore proposed that every peaceable remedy should be exhausted, party platforms set aside, individual records cast to the winds, and that all should "unite in asking them to come back to us." On the other hand, if, after all possible concessions had been made, they continued to attack the laws, and showed their purpose to be the destruction of the government, he for one was ready "to go in such a cause, and to die in the last ditch in defense of my country." The question was then taken to refer all the resolutions to a committee to be appointed by the president, and it was agreed to. Mr. Ford offered a resolution that "Maj.-Gen. Patterson be requested to call a meeting of the officers of his division at the earliest practicable period, for the purpose of taking such measures as they may deem necessary to increase the force and make its efficiency equal to any emergency." This resolution was also referred to the committee, but leave was given Marcelllus Mundy to address the meeting in connection with the resolution. Mr. Mundy declared his devotion and the devotion of the Bell-Everett party, which he represented, to the Union, but deprecated any hostile collision between the two sections. Mr. Gibbons said that, as a Republican, he regretted the last resolution had been introduced, as the military arm of the government, if required for any purpose whatever, would be called upon by those in authority, and not by a miscellaneous assembly such as the one he was addressing. Mr. Ford then said that as his resolution had created more discussion than he anticipated, he would withdraw it. This announcement was greeted with cheers. Mr. Gibbons, continuing, said he was "sure there was no man in the room, or in this city, or in this commonwealth who contemplated so serious and frightful a resort as making war upon the fifteen Southern States. . . . At the same time he hoped that they would all be prepared, should the dread hour ever come, to stand by the constituted authorities in the maintenance of the laws and the preservation of the Union." J. Murray Rush called attention to the fact that the meeting had forgotten in the midst of its patriotic deliberations to pay a tribute to the gallant conduct of Governor Hicks, of Maryland, who, placed in a delicate and trying position as the executive of a border slave State, had shown himself to be calm, manly, and intelligent in the present crisis. Mr. Rush therefore proposed the following:
"Resolved, That we have observed with admiration, and approve to the fullest extent the bold and patriotic course of the enlightened Governor of Maryland, Thomas H. Hicks; that it entitles him to the cordial support of every lover of the Union, and if persevered in will give him an enviable name on the page of American history."
The resolution was adopted, and the meeting adjourned. A few minutes later, while the gentlemen who had composed the meeting were still conversing, a telegraphic dispatch conveying the news that Maj. Anderson was besieged at Fort Sumter by the forces of the disunionists was received and read. Great feeling was occasioned by this intelligence, and a call for a public meeting to be held at Independence Square was immediately prepared and signed by those present. "Whatever differences may have taken place," said a newspaper at the time, "in reference to other matters, there was but one sentiment on this subject, that was, admiration for Anderson and hostility to all his foes. Among those who signed the call were Democrats, Republicans, and Americans." In the same journal it was announced that a subscription had been set on foot to purchase a sword of honor to be presented to Maj. Anderson in acknowledgment of his patriotic conduct at Charleston." Pending the appointment of a committee for the purpose, Joseph Curtis of the Orleans House, Chestnut Street, received subscriptions.
In accordance with the recommendation of the President of the United States, Friday, January 4th, was observed as a fast day in Philadelphia. In many churches special services were held. Sermons were preached at St. Stephen's Protestant Episcopal Church, by the rector, Rev. Dr. Ducachet; at the Arch Street Presbyterian Church, by Rev. Dr. Wadsworth; at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, by Rev. E.W. Hutter; at the Third Baptist Church, by Rev. Reuben Jeffrey; at the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, by Rev. T.W. Cracraft; at the Moravian Church, corner of Franklin and Wood Streets, by Rev. A.A. Reinke; at the Presbyterian Church, corner of Broad and Sansom Streets, by Rev. John Chambers, and at a number of other churches, at all of which, with one or two exceptions, the dangers threatening the country were alluded to. At Reed Street wharf the Shiffler Hose Company fired a salute of thirty-three guns in honor of the State of Delaware, which had rejected the proposals of the secessionist commissioner, Mr. Dickinson, and the citizens of Manayunk fired a similar salute in honor of Maj. Anderson. Some stores and all the public offices were closed. "The anticipations of a war with the secessionists are so fully realized in many minds," said a Philadelphia newspaper of January 5th, "that we are informed of grand propositions on the part of certain boat-builders and ship captains in this city to inaugurate privateering expeditions so soon as hostilities shall commence. It was reliably rumored yesterday afternoon that most of the coasting vessels now leaving this city are armed with cannon and ammunition."
On the evening of Saturday, January 5th, a meeting, in accordance with the call, to sustain Maj. Anderson, was held at National Hall, on Market Street, below Thirteenth. A number of patriotic inscriptions were displayed on the walls; among them, in front of the gallery, the memorable words of Henry Clay, "So long as it pleases God to give me a voice to express my sentiments, or an arm, weak and enfeebled as it may be by age, that voice and that arm will be on the side of my country, for the support of the general authorities and the maintenance of the powers of the Union." Along the front of the platform were displayed the American flag and Webster's sentiment; "The Union, now and forever; one and inseparable." In the rear of the platform, extending across the room, were the following: "'Frown indignantly on the first dawning of an attempt to alienate one portion of the Union from another,' Washington;" and "'The Union must and shall be preserved,'
Jackson." A band of music, stationed in the gallery, played a number of popular airs, and just before the organization of the meeting the following sentiments were proposed by different persons in the assemblage and greeted with enthusiasm: "The Star Spangled Banner," three cheers and a "tiger;" "The Union," nine cheers; "Major Anderson," nine cheers; "General Scott," six cheers; "James Buchanan," three cheers; "Senator Crittenden," three cheers; "Governor Hicks, of Maryland," six cheers; "The State of Delaware," three cheers. "After this demonstration," says a contemporary account, "the band was called upon for 'Yankee Doodle,' and the scene which took place as it was played baffles description." Lewis C. Cassidy called the meeting to order, and announced that those present had been invited, without regard to party proclivities, "to meet for the purpose of taking into consideration the situation of that patriot soldier of Charleston, Maj. Anderson." At Mr. Cassidy's suggestion William D. Lewis was chosen to preside. In taking the chair Mr. Lewis said the meeting was one of the most important that had been held in Philadelphia since the Declaration of Independence, and that it had been called "for the purpose of declaring our determination to support the Federal authorities in any measures they may take to support Maj. Anderson, that gallant man who at present represents our government in the harbor of Charleston, and all other measures calculated to prevent the entire overthrow of all law and order." Mr. Lewis denounced the late Secretary of the Treasury, Howell Cobb, and the late Secretary of War, John B. Floyd, as "perjurers and traitors," and said he trusted that "for once this great city, with one voice and one heart, will send forth its hearty greetings to the brave defenders of their flag, and sustain the government in every act which, it may deem necessary to take to support those noble soldiers who are now, in point of fact, the impersonation of the Union itself." John W. Forney then came forward and read the list of officers, being frequently interrupted by applause as he uttered the name of some popular favorite, the name of Commodore Stewart, or "Old Ironsides," as he was generally called, eliciting three cheers:
President, William D. Lewis; Vice-Presidents, Commodore Charles Stewart, Morton McMichael, Maj.-Gen. Robert Patterson, John W. Forney, John M. Read, Richard Vaux, William Strong, Charles Gilpin, Joseph R. Ingersoll, William D. Kelley, Evans Rogers, Daniel Dougherty, W.M. Meredith, John Grigg, J. Murray Rush, John B. Myers, Edward Coles, Lewis C. Cassidy, Edward C. Knight, Marceilus Mundy, George W. Nebinger, William B, Mann, George M. Stroud, William Duane, Joseph Allison, Robert Hare Powel, Samuel B. Stokes, J.I. Clark Hare, Peter C. Ellmaker, Oswald Thompson, William Sergeant, Henry C. Carey, William A. Porter, James Landy, Frederick Stoever, Charles Gibbons, John Hazeltine, John C. Knox, William H. Kern, William A. Babcock, Thomas Smith, Alexander J. Derbyshire, William B. Thomas, Jacob W. Goff, Henry Horn, John B. Austin, John Dallett, Algernon S. Roberts, George K. Zeigler, Robert P. King, William Wister, Edward G. Webb, James Verree, John Campbell (Seventh Ward), C.B. Trego, Thomas Webster, Jr., Thompson Westcott, Gibson Peacock, Isaac Hazlehurst, Henry Bumm, R.M. Foust, Cephas G. Childs, Andrew C. Craig, Edward Gratz, C.C. Lathrop, Evan Randolph, Peter Lyle, B.J. Hincken, Dr. C. Herring, David M. Lyle, Samuel Field, G.P. McLean, John M. Butler, William S. Smith, William B. Lehman, A.G. Buckner, Thomas Potter, Charles M. Neal, William F. Hughes, George Wunder, William Elliott, Ludlam Matthews, Hiram Miller, John Porter, James Traquair, William McMullen, George A. Coffey, William Bradford, John H. Bringhurst, Edward King, Lindley Smith, R.T. Carter, William Sellers, Aubrey H. Smith, William Dwight, Jr., S.V. Merrick, James V. Watson, John K. Laughlin, Nathan Roland, Charles McDonough, Thomas J.Potts, J. McCahen, George Erety, William McGlensey (Third Ward), George Megee, J.E. Addicks, James Magee, E.W. Clark, Albert D. Boileau, Benjamin Gerhard, Francis Wolgamuth, Henry J.Williams, George H. Berrell, Samuel Bispham, Charles A. Rubicam, William 0. Kline, William Laughlin, A.L. Crawford, Samuel C. Perkins, John Devlin, John Kline, John K. Gamble, Andrew Noble, Henry Crilly, Charles R. Able, Captain Becker, Alexander T. Dickson, Peter Fassel, Joseph Enue, Theodore Bucknor, George W. Thorn, James D. Whetham, William McCandless, Thomas Bosily, John 0. James, John Cloud, William Malone, William F. Small, Francis Warner, lieutenant Spear, Charles F. Miller, Samuel G. Ruggles, Adam Warthman, Joseph McGeary, William M. Haughey, Porter Ringwalt, Adam B. Walter, Horn B. Kneass, Aaron V. Gibbs, Frank Patterson, P. Barry Hayes, Charles M. Provost, Dr. David Jayne, George Northrop, Andrew M. Jones, William V. Wicht, Edward Buckley, Patrick McDonough, A.A. Gregg, G. Freytag, Charles Lorenz, John McArthur, Martin Shultz, Edward Wartman, Henry Conrad, John Alexander, Richard Garsed, John F. Hight, Joseph S. Lovering, John W. Jones, Eugene Ahern, Godfrey Metzger, John B. Colahan, Lorin Blodgett, William Richardson, William C. Ludwig, Geo, D. Wetherill, William C. Kent, Jas. Dundas, John Thompson, Jos. H. Brady, Thos. Biddle, Jacob B. Valentine, George Rush Smith, Dr. Andrew Nebinger, S.J. Christian, Dr. C.E. Kamerly, Chris. J. Hoffman, Levi T. Butter, Thomas Birch, James Gordon, James Devereaux, Dr. John J. Sinnickson, John McCanless, Benjamin Allen, George Boldin, Samuel S. Kelley, S.C. Morton, William C. Stotesbury, Charles E. Lex, A.R. McHenry, Andrew C. Barclay, A.I. Flomerfelt, John D. Taylor, William Moran, Thomas F. Parry, William D. Baker, J.G. Watmough, Marshall Sprogell, Gen. George Cadwalader, Henry D. Moore, John S. Keyser, E.A. Souder, Franklin A. Comly, Thomas H. Moore, C.C. Sadler, Joseph S. Riley, Sr., Joseph W. Byers, John W. Ryan, Henry Davis, Jesse Godley, Jonathan Palmer, J.K. Murphy, William S. Grant, Peter Fritz, Edwin Smith, Philip S. White, Henry D. Landis, H. Montgomery Bond, John Ashton, Jr., Joshua T. Owen, John Thompson, George H. Hart, A.C. Harmer, James W. Paul, Leonard Myers, A.J. Pleasonton, Benjamin Rush, C.J. Biddle, George W. Swearingen, John P. Kilgore, Wade Morris, Martin J. Croll, William P. Hacker; Secretaries, Dr. Eliab Ward, Samuel E. Slaymaker, John Davis Watson, James Freeborn, George T. Thorne, James Metcalf, George Inman Riché, William Strunk, John Goforth, Cyrus B. Newlin, Frank Johnson, Samuel Hart, James B. Sheridan, Ernest C. Wallace, Michael Dunn, Charles C. Wilson, William J. Gillingham, Joseph Herr, John J. Franklin, Henry Neill, Benjamin Huckle, Conrad Groves, Howard Ellis, Theodore T. Derringer, John L. Ringwalt, John O'Byrne, James Bateman, James D. Campbell, Dr. Francis R. Shunk, Joseph Loughead, Alfred P. Scull, Henry C. Baird, Harman Baugh, Henry Y. Smith, A.M. Walkinshaw, John H. Diehl, E.G. Waterhouse, C.H.T. Collis, E.G. Simpson, William D. Frismuth, J. Barclay Harding, Thomas B. Stotesbury, Pierce Archer, Jr., Jeremiah Nichols, Charles B. Miller, A.F. Hugh, Moses A. Dropsie, Thompson Reynolds, James P. Perot, William Shinn, Thomas Hart, John B. Adams, James W. Sagers, Joseph P. Loughead, E.N. Hallowell, Caleb H. Needles, John Getty, William S. Stewart, Theodore Beck, Henry Schellinger, Robert Burton, Richard G. Devereaux, Philip F. Kelley, Henry Lapsley, E.P. Kershaw, John C. Keffer, William R. Bray, Clement Tingley, Jr., N.B. Le Brun, George Burton, William C. McCammon, William F. Corbit, George M. Conarree, C. Willing Littell, Thomas M. Hall, Robert Coulton Davis, R.M. Batturs, Stephen Taylor, James Harper, Henry W. Napheys, Andrew McDole, Robert B. Cabeen.
When the list of officers had been read, John W. Forney introduced J. Murray Rush, who, after making a brief address, in which he urged the importance of extending a prompt and hearty support to the general government, offered a series of resolutions, declaring that the foresight, prudence, and energetic conduct of Maj. Anderson at Charleston merited the hearty approbation of the government and people of the United States, that it was the imperative duty of the President to provide Maj. Anderson with all the force he might require "for the successful defense of his present position;" that "all persons who wage war against the United States for the purpose of destroying the government established by our fathers, or for any other purpose whatever, and all who aid, counsel, sanction, or encourage them, can be regarded in no other light than as public enemies;" that the meeting would "sustain the President of the United States and the constituted authorities of the government in whatever measures they may adopt to support Maj. Anderson, and to maintain the supremacy of the Constitution and the laws of the United States;" and that "the flag of the Union is the property of the people, and whenever lawfully unfurled it must and shall be protected to the last extremity." The resolutions were greeted with nine hearty cheers, after which the band in the gallery struck up the "Star-Spangled Banner." Charles Gibbons seconded the resolutions offered by Mr. Rush, and stated that he had called on the venerable Horace Binney, with the request that he should preside at the meeting. Mr. Binney, however, declined on the ground that his advanced age exposed him to danger from the excitement of such a gathering. At the same time he declared that his heart was bound up in the Union, and expressed the opinion that nothing would overthrow the Union or materially curtail or enfeeble it, "if to the purity and energy of our forefathers we unite that coolness, calmness, and obedience to the Constitution we live under, which carried them to success in their day and generation." Mr. Binney's letter of declination was read to the meeting, and was greeted with cheers, after which Mr. Gibbons read an extract from Washington's address, pointing out the evils of factional spirit. The resolutions were then put and adopted. At the same time a large American flag was unfurled behind the speakers on the stand, and as it made its appearance was caught by those on the platform and so drawn down as to form a canopy above those on the stage. Marcellus Mundy then made a brief address, in the course of which he mentioned that Maj. Anderson and himself were natives of the same State, Kentucky. Morton McMichael thereupon proposed three cheers for Kentucky, which were given with a will. At the conclusion of Mr. Mundy's remarks the meeting adjourned. An immense assemblage gathered outside the hall, to which the resolutions were read. A number of speeches were also made, "which were all well received, it only being necessary to utter the most commonplace Union sentiment to call forth the greatest applause."
- On the same day (January 5th) an adjourned meeting of citizens was held, without distinction of party, at the Board of Trade rooms, to receive the report of the committee on resolutions appointed at a previous meeting. Joshua T. Owen called the meeting to order, and Cephas G. Childs was chosen to preside. Judge Lewis moved that his resolutions offered at a former meeting be adopted; but the chairman ruled the motion out of order, as no report had been received from the committee. The meeting then adjourned in the midst of great confusion and angry demonstrations on the part of individuals toward each other; and David S. Winebrener moved that a new meeting be organized by calling Judge Ellis Lewis to the chair. Judge Lewis moved toward the chair, but Mr. Blodget, secretary of the Board of Trade, announced that he had been instructed by the board to forbid the use of the room for any political meeting. Judge Lewis, however, took the chair amid great excitement. William B. Mann suggested that all favorable to the original call for the meeting which had just been adjourned, and whose object was to sustain the laws and the American flag, should retire from the room. This suggestion, however, was not acted upon. Daniel Dougherty made an earnest appeal for order, and Marcellus Mundy, after stating it was not the object of those present to break up the meeting, added that in order to meet the exigencies of the situation he would offer a series of resolutions. Mr. Mundy thereupon offered resolutions to the effect that "in the opinion of the citizens of Philadelphia, irrespective of party, the spirit of compromise which characterized the labors of the framers of the Constitution should pervade our national council and influence the action of the people's representatives in settling the difficulties which now threaten the dissolution of the Union and make civil war imminent;" that "the heedless legislation of some of the Northern States in passing personal liberty bills, which would interfere with a proper exercise of the constitutional rights of the slave-holding citizens of Southern States, is to be deprecated as not only an unwise and unconstitutional assumption of power, but as an abnegation of that comity and courtesy which should characterize the fraternal relations and intercourse of the several States of the Union with each other;" that "the renunciation by South Carolina of the duty she owes to the confederated government, and her avowed purpose to destroy the Union by withdrawing there from, is in utter disregard of the rights of her sister confederates, and a mad sacrifice which should be prevented, as it can, through such pacific measures as will appeal to the patriotism of her people and her sense of right; induced by a generous sacrifice of Northern prejudice against the institution of slavery and a unanimous resolve to adopt as an honorable and at the same time the most practicable basis of compromise, the resolutions proposed by the Hon. John J. Crittenden in the Senate of the United States;" that "while pacific measures and compromises only should be resorted to to allay the fears and apprehensions and appease the resentment of an excited people, as the subjugation of one State, through the combined power of the other States of the Union, would be to deprive her of equality, and thus effectually destroy the constitutional Union of the States, the honor, property, and capital of our general government, if need be, should be preserved and protected by our national army and navy under the proper direction of the heads of government." Mr. Mundy's resolutions were adopted, the persons favoring the original meeting declining to vote for or against them.
On the evening of January 5th a meeting of natives of Maryland residing in Philadelphia was held for the purpose of approving the course of Governor Hicks in refusing to convene the Legislature of Maryland in obedience to the demands of the dis-unionists. S.W. De Courcy presided, and Tristram Bowdie acted as secretary. Resolutions warmly indorsing Governor Hicks' action were adopted. On motion of J.W. Kramer it was determined that a society similar to that of the Sons of New England should be organized, and that a festival should be held annually on the 12th of September, the anniversary of the battle of North Point. A letter from J. Murray Rush warmly indorsing Governor Hicks was read, and addresses were delivered by Charles B. Pottinger, Marcellus Mundy, and several others.
At a meeting of the Republican Invincibles, held on the same evening, Thomas M. Hall presiding, the resolutions adopted at the Union meeting at National Hall were read and adopted. A motion that the Invincibles organize into a military company was laid on the table, but resolutions deprecating any legislation at variance with the principles upon which the campaign had been fought and won, and recognizing "in its fullest extent the truth of Webster's great sentiment, that the will of the people, constitutionally expressed, is the supreme law of the land," and declaring that "the will of the people having been unequivocally expressed in the late election, it becomes the duty of all good citizens and Union-loving men to carry it into execution," were agreed to after considerable discussion.
Salutes were fired in honor of Maj. Anderson on the 5th by the Minute-men of '76, Captain Berry, and the members of the Independence Hose Company, on George Street between Second and Third.
On the 7th of January a meeting of citizens "opposed to war" and in favor of giving guarantees to the South was held at Barr's Hotel, on Sixth Street below Chestnut. Col. Isaac Leech was called to the chair, and John F. Gibson and Charles Leisenring appointed secretaries. On motion of Robert Palethorp it was determined that a mass-meeting of citizens opposed to the use of coercion in settling the difficulties with the South should be held on the evening of the 10th, at National Hall. Mr. Palethorp also offered a resolution indorsing the course of President Buchanan; but it was finally decided, after much discussion, that a committee should be appointed to prepare a set of resolutions to be presented to the public meeting.
At a meeting of the veterans of the war of 1812, held on the 8th of January at Independence Hall, a resolution was adopted invoking "the blessings of Divine Providence upon our beloved country in these times of peril and alarm, trusting most fervently that our prayer, going up as it does from this sacred place, will be answered, and that the whole people of the republic may live in good fellowship for all time to come." Col. Joel B. Sutherland, president of the association, made an address, in which he denied the right of any State to secede, but counseled moderation. "The occasion," he said, "might possibly be the last whereon the old soldiers would meet under the flag of all the States. He trusted in God that it would not be."
The meeting of citizens opposed to coercion, which was called for the 10th, was held on the afternoon of that day at Barr's Hotel, Vincent L. Bradford presiding. John McCarthy offered a resolution to the effect that it" would be unwise and inexpedient for those originating this meeting to make arrangements for a mass-meeting purporting to express the opinions of the Democracy of Philadelphia," but his motion, which created some disorder, was not adopted. A series of resolutions to be proposed at a mass-meeting were then read. They admitted the right of a State under certain contingencies to secede, and declared that in the event of secession on the part of the South, Pennsylvania would decide whether she would go "with fanatical New England or with the South, whose sympathies are ours." It was also asserted that neither the President nor Congress had power to declare war against a sovereign State.
The mass-meeting of the anti-coercionists was held at National Hall, on the evening of January 16th. Vincent L. Bradford called the meeting to order, and Charles Macalester was elected chairman. In his address on taking the chair, Mr. Macalester said that "the South should have remained loyal to the Union and fought the battle of the Union in the Union, but as they seem determined to go, let them go in peace, and let us say in a spirit of kindness and fraternal love, 'Let there be no strife between us, for we be brethren.'" "Let the Northern States," added Mr. Macalester, "before they commence fighting the South (for which some of them seem so anxious), repeal the odious and offensive nullifying acts called personal liberty' bills; let them discard the whole tribe of itinerant lecturers and demagogues who have been so eminently industrious in sowing discord throughout the land, and then let them resolve to mind their own business, and when this is done perhaps there will be no fighting to do." After Mr. Macalester had concluded, cheers were proposed and given for Maj. Anderson, President Buchanan, Gen. Scott, John J. Crittenden, and John C. Breckinridge. The name of Stephen A. Douglas was greeted with hisses. Robert P. Kane proposed a series of resolutions appealing "to the high sense of honor of the South not to turn away in anger from their steady friends, leaving them to the despotism of a sectional party flushed with victory, and which even the danger of disunion and civil war has not yet moved to conciliation," and declaring that among the most important features inculcated in the text-books of the Democratic party "is a strict construction of the Constitution of the United States, a sacred regard for the rights of each State to administer its own, domestic concerns, and an absolute non-interference, directly or indirectly, by the people of the several States with the domestic institutions of each other;" that had these principles been respected by the opposition party, the alienation of the North and South might have been avoided; that "the present difficulties in the country are principally attributable to the sentiment prevalent in the North against the moral, social, and political right of the citizens of any State in the confederacy to retain the African race in bondage;" that "the question of domestic slavery for the African race in any of the States of the Union is purely a question of political economy," and that the support of the institution, with such guarantees and protection for the slave as duty and humanity might suggest, did not in any way involve a question of religion or morals; that the common Territories belonged to all, and no right of property of any kind, recognized by a State, could be divested by Congressional action or intervention; that "the denial of this community of interests and the compressions of domestic slavery within its present limits, involves in our judgment, as a matter of right, a violation of the Federal compact, and has led to most pernicious results;" that each of the States was a sovereignty and possessed full power, subject to the Constitution of the United States, of legislating in such manner as might best comport with the interest of her citizens; that the Legislature of Pennsylvania should at once repeal all acts not consonant with a spirit of friendliness to the sister States, and should, by legislative enactments, "secure to the citizens of every State while within our limits as sojourners, and while coming to and going therefrom, ample protection for themselves and their property;" that any attempt to dissolve the Union should be looked upon with sorrow and alarm, but that "all conciliation failing, if the people of these States cannot live in harmony under the Constitution as it is, it should, by a general convention, be amended; and that failing, which we are loath to believe possible, acquiescence in peaceable separation is so far preferable to the horrors of civil war;" that it (the meeting) was utterly opposed to any such compulsion "as is demanded by a portion of the Republican party," and that the Democratic party of the North would "by the use of all constitutional means and with its moral and political influence, oppose any such extreme policy of a fratricidal war thus to be inaugurated;" that "we cordially approve the disavowal by the President, in his last annual message, for himself and for Congress, of the war-making power against a State of the confederacy;" that, "in the deliberate judgment of the Democracy of Philadelphia, and, so far as we know it, of Pennsylvania, the dissolution of the Union by the separation of the whole South, a result we shall most sincerely lament, may release this commonwealth to a large extent from the bonds which now connect her with the confederacy, except so far as for temporary convenience she chooses to submit to them, and would authorize and require her citizens, through a convention to be assembled for that purpose, to determine with whom her lot should be cast, whether with the North and East, whose fanaticism has precipitated this misery upon us, or with our brethren of the South, whose wrongs we feel as our own, or whether Pennsylvania should stand by herself as a distinct community, ready, when occasion offers, to bind together the broken Union and resume her place of loyalty and devotion;" that "we gladly acquiesce in the plan of compromise, embodied in the resolutions for amendment to the Constitution, offered in the Senate of the United States by Mr. Crittenden, and now pending before that body, as a proper basis for settlement of all existing difficulties;" and finally, that "we earnestly recommend our Democratic brethren in different cities and counties of this State and of New York and New Jersey, who agree with the views enunciated by this meeting, to take the earliest opportunity of holding mass-meetings in their respective localities." The reading of the resolutions was frequently interrupted by mingled applause and hisses. An attempt to introduce a series of adverse resolutions was made by Charles Gilligan, who, however, was ejected from the meeting. George M. Wharton then addressed the meeting, advising conciliation and opposing secession. He was followed by Charles Ingersoll, who, after making a few remarks in the same strain, was interrupted by cries for" Brewster" (Benjamin H. Brewster), the confusion finally becoming so great that the speaker was unable to continue. William B. Reed then made an earnest plea in behalf of peace and conciliation, claiming that he spoke the true sentiment of every one around him, "Nay, of all Pennsylvania, except those who, as technical Abolitionists, I count as outlaws." Benjamin H. Brewster, who was the next speaker, declared that the South had been wronged, which would never have happened had not the Democratic party been divided. The South had been too precipitate, but he thought the difficulty might be adjusted even yet if a policy of conciliation were adopted. William Neal, of Ohio, made the closing speech, and the meeting adjourned with cheers for the Union, Stephen A. Douglas, and Maj. Anderson.
In the newspapers of January 17th appeared the letter of William D. Lewis, chairman of the mass-meeting of January 5th, to Maj. Anderson, transmitting an account of the proceedings, and Maj. Anderson's reply, in which he expressed the hope that "by the blessing of God the impending political storm may be dispersed without bloodshed."
On Saturday evening, January 19th, a meeting of workingmen, without distinction of party, was held at Spring Garden Hall, Dr. A.L. Kennedy presiding, at which resolutions were proposed in favor of using every effort for the preservation of the Union and of repealing every "unconstitutional enactment" adopted by Northern States which had given offense to the South. The resolutions also called on Congress to take some action to allay agitation and excitement, and to restore confidence throughout the country, and indorsed President Buchanan's declaration of the right of the national government "to use military force defensively against those who resist the Federal officers in the execution of their legal functions, and against those who assail the prosperity of the United States." The first resolution, declaring in favor of resistance to all efforts to dissolve the Union, was adopted, but the second resolution, calling for the rescinding of unconstitutional enactments, was amended by the substitution of one indorsing the Crittenden Compromise. The consideration of the other resolutions was postponed, and, after a committee to arrange for a mass-meeting had been appointed, the meeting adjourned.
At a meeting of Marylanders residing in Philadelphia, held on the 22d of January, J.M. Stevens presiding, and H. Hollyday secretary, the constitution of the proposed society, to be known as the Maryland Association, was adopted. The society was then organized by the election of the following officers Rev. J.W. Kramer president; M. Hall Stanton, vice president; J.M. Stevens, treasurer; H. Hollyday and J.D. Watson, secretaries; Thomas Watson, J.D. Watson, William B. McAtee, G.J. Naylor, and H. Dickson, executive committee.
During the visit of members of the Chicago and Milwaukee Boards of Trade, who arrived in Philadelphia on the morning of January 24th, a number of speeches were made at the reception and banquet given them in which earnest Union sentiments were expressed. At Independence Hall, Mayor Henry, in welcoming the visitors, expressed the hope that "ere long the fanaticism and treason that obscure the early pathway of our country's progress may be dissipated, and happiness again become the heritage of the whole people." At the banquet given by the United Trade Association on the 25th, Gen. Rufus King, responding to the toast "The Great Northwest," said that all the past and present of that section were bound to the Union, and proposed as a toast "The Locomotive and the Cannon, The iron that walks,
And the iron that talks.
With the one they could preserve the Union, with the other defend it against all enemies." The sentiment was received with cheers, and all present joined in singing the "Star-Spangled Banner." A.G. Cattell, president of the Philadelphia Corn Exchange, claimed that there was no power, native or foreign, capable of subverting the Constitution; and Commodore Charles Stewart, United States Navy (" Old Ironsides"), declared that the Constitution, like his own ship of that name, "might be sunk by her friends, but was never to be taken."
Charles Stewart, or "Old Ironsides," was born of Irish parents in Philadelphia, July 18, 1778. At the age of thirteen he entered the merchant service, in which he rose from the situation of cabin-boy to the command of an Indiaman. On March 9, 1798, he was commissioned a lieutenant in the navy, and in July, 1800, was appointed to the command of the schooner "Experiment," and cruised in the West Indies, where he rendered efficient service. On September 1st he captured the French schooner "Deux Aims," of eight guns, and soon after "The Diana," of fourteen guns, besides recapturing a number of American vessels which had been taken by French privateers. In 1802, as first officer, he joined the frigate "Constellation," which had been ordered to the Mediterranean to blockade Tripoli; and on his return, after one year's cruise, was placed in command of the brig "Siren." In this vessel he was engaged in the expedition sent to destroy the frigate "Philadelphia" on Feb. 16, 1804, and subsequently in the blockade and siege of Tripoli. For his services in the bombardment of Aug. 3, 1804, he received the thanks of Commodore Preble in general orders. Promoted to be master-commander on May 19, 1804, he was placed in command of the frigate "Essex," which joined the squadron in Tunis Bay, and subsequently took command of the frigate "Constellation." On April 22, 1806, he was made captain, and was employed in superintending the construction of gun-boats at New York. In December, 1812, Captain Stewart was again appointed to the "Constellation," and proceeded to Hampton Roads, where he assisted in defending Norfolk and Craney Island from the attacks of the British. In December, 1813, he sailed in command of the frigate "Constitution," in which, in February, 1815, he fell in with the British ships-of-war "The Cyane," of thirty-four, and "The Levant," of twenty-one guns, and captured them after a sharp conflict of forty minutes. "The Levant" was subsequently retaken by a British squadron, but the "Constitution" escaped with her other prize to St. Jago. On his return to America he was received with the highest honors. The Legislature of Pennsylvania presented him with a gold-hilted sword, and a gold medal was ordered to be struck by Congress. He commanded the Mediterranean squadron from 1817 to 1820, when he took command of the Pacific fleet. On his return home he was tried by a court-martial, but was honorably acquitted. He was a member of the board of navy commissioners in 183033, and in 1837 succeeded Commodore Barron in command of the navy-yard at Philadelphia. In 1857 he was placed on the reserve list on account of his advanced age, but in March, 1859, he was replaced on the active list by special legislation, and on July 16, 1862, was made a rear-admiral on the retired list. He rendered important service in the organization of the navy, and submitted to the department many valuable papers on the subject. He died greatly lamented at Bordentown, N.J., Nov. 7, 1869.
The mass-meeting of workingmen to take action on the political crisis was held in Independence Square on Saturday evening, January 26th. The following officers were chosen: President, Isaac W. Van Houton; Vice-Presidents, John A. Wallace, Alexander McPherson, George W. King, Eli Howell, A.V. Brady, Henry Clark, James Pugh, Joseph B. Hancock, John J. O'Connor, F.B. Smith, S.B. Whiting, Francis Reiley, George Widener, David Conrad, Hiram Gaston, William Cannon, Thomas Gibbs, Alfred A. Kennedy, George Hensler, Hiram Maxwell, Richard Newsham, John Hall, George Oat, William Morton, W. Wells, Passmore M. Collins, John Williamson, Thomas Clark, Joseph Travis, John A. Hughes, George Christy, Frank Walker, Thomas Christy; Secretaries, John A. Fulton, John Keesey, Robert J. Magee, Jonathan E. Fincher, John Curley, and John Call. Speeches were delivered by James B. Nicholson, Stacy Wilson, Henry A. Gilder, and J.J. Greenfield, urging moderation and a conciliatory policy, and resolutions were adopted in favor of the repeal of legislation obnoxious to the people of the South and deprecating collisions between the military force of the general government and the seceding States; but declaring that, after all fair and honorable means of reaching an amicable settlement had been exhausted, the workingmen of Philadelphia would sustain the government in all just and legal measures for enforcing the laws. The Crittenden Compromise was indorsed, and the committee of arrangements was authorized to appoint two delegates from each of the Congressional districts of Philadelphia to meet in convention on the 22d of February, as recommended by the mechanics and workingmen of Louisville, Ky.
Hon. Simon Cameron, then United States senator from Pennsylvania, was serenaded at the Girard House on Saturday evening, January 26th, and, in acknowledging the compliment, declared that he was willing to make any reasonable concession, not involving a vital principle, to save the country from anarchy and bloodshed.
At a meeting of Kentuckians resident in Philadelphia, held on the 29th of January, Dr. S.D. Gross presiding, an address to Governor Magoffin, of Kentucky, stating that the people of the North would in time repeal all obnoxious laws and concede all reasonable demands, and a series of resolutions favoring conciliation and the Crittenden Compromise, were adopted.
The committee appointed by the meeting of workingmen, held on Saturday, January 25th, to present the resolutions passed at the meeting to the United States senators and representatives, and to the Pennsylvania Legislature, repaired to Washington and Harrisburg for that purpose, and on their return were received at the Pennsylvania Railroad depot by a large delegation from the principal machine-shops, and escorted to their headquarters with a band of music. A line was formed, and the procession, headed by a large lantern, which had inscribed on the face of it in large letters, "Welcome home,
committee," moved down Eleventh Street. After marching through several of the principal streets, the procession halted in front of the Wetherill House, on Sansom Street, where addresses were delivered by Messrs. Van Houton and Lowry. The former, in behalf of the committee, reported that they had been well received in Washington by the President of the United States and the senators from Pennsylvania, and that they had been assured by senators and representatives from the Southern States that the visit of the committee had had more effect upon Congress and the people of Washington than anything that had occurred in the course of the pending political agitation. In the House of Representatives the petition prepared by order of the mass-meeting had been received, read, and ordered to be printed. During their stay in Washington the members of the committee were introduced to Mr. Crittenden (author of the Crittenden Compromise). At Harrisburg the committee had received assurances from all the Philadelphia members of the Legislature, with but one exception, that they would do all in their power to secure the repeal of legislation injurious to the people of other States.
On the 9th and 10th of February quite a large assemblage was attracted to the wharf of the Reading Railroad Company, foot of Willow Street, by the presence of a large number of heavy cannon, together with several tons of shells. They had been transported from the Fort Pitt foundry, near Pittsburgh, and were destined for the Stevens Water Battery in the harbor of New York. In the excited state of public feeling special significance was attached to the accumulation of war material, and three cheers, proposed by one of the spectators, were given with a will.
On the 15th of February it was announced that Messrs. Hacker, Bradford, & Wetherill had been chosen by the special committee of Councils appointed to make arrangements for the reception of Hon. Abraham Lincoln, President-elect of the United States, to visit Cleveland for the purpose of presenting resolutions of the Councils inviting Mr. Lincoln to visit Philadelphia on his way to Washington. A committee of citizens was also appointed, which cooperated with the committee of Councils. The former committee adopted as a badge to be worn on the occasion of the President's reception a design comprising a spread-eagle, with the figures of Commerce and Agriculture under the wings. On their return from Cleveland the sub-committee of Councils reported to the committee that Mr. Lincoln had accepted the invitation. It was stated that Gen. Patterson had been called upon in reference to ordering but the First Division of volunteers to act as an escort to the President-elect, but that the general had declined to do so because there was no precedent for it, Mr. Lincoln not coming in an official capacity. At a meeting of the committee held on the 19th, Mr. Benton, from the sub-committee appointed to ascertain if the First City Troop would parade as a body-guard, reported that Captain James had been called upon, and had stated that he thought the Troop would be governed by the law of etiquette as laid down by Gen. Patterson. Captain James afterwards came in and said he had concluded not to order out the Troop, for the reasons which Gen. Patterson had given for not calling out the First Division. He had no feeling in the matter, and at another time would be glad to conform to the wishes of the authorities and citizens. At a meeting of the committee held on the 20th, it was resolved that the citizens residing on the route of the procession be requested to display flags and ensigns, and also that they be requested not to display any of a partisan character.
The reception of Mr. Lincoln on Thursday, February 21st, was an imposing demonstration. Many of the hotels and public buildings displayed bunting from their flag-staffs, and the city generally wore a holiday appearance. At two o'clock the members of Councils met at the hall, and the citizens' committee in the building opposite, preparatory to taking carriages for the depot. A salute fired by a detachment of soldiers under command of Captain Berry announced to the multitude assembled at the Kensington Depot the arrival of the train. The committee of Councils appointed for the purpose having met the President-elect at Trenton, there was no particular ceremony after the train entered the depot. The procession to escort the President-elect was formed in the following order: Policemen, mounted, under command of Chief of Police Ruggles, detachment of police on foot; Col. P.C. Ellmaker, chief marshal of the procession, and aids; Conrad B. Andress, marshal, and aids; cavalcade of citizens, James Freeman, chief marshal; Pennsylvania Dragoons, commanded by Maj. Charles Thomson Jones; the President-elect in a barouche drawn by four white horses, and accompanied by the chairman of the committee of Councils and the presidents of Select and Common Councils; suite of the President-elect; committees of the Legislatures of Pennsylvania and New Jersey and officers and members of the City Councils of Philadelphia, all in carriages. A guard of police was posted on the flanks of the carriages and moved with the procession. The streets through which the parade passed were densely thronged, and the assemblage at the depot was so great as to render the sidewalks almost impassable. As the procession was about turning into Girard Avenue salutes were fired from the cupola of the William Penn Hose-house, on Frankford road, which was gayly decked with flags and patriotic emblems. A large American flag floated over the building of the James Page Library Company, on Girard Avenue, below the Frankford road, and the front of the house of William P. Hacker, on Arch Street, near Broad, was festooned with three large American flags. An evergreen arch, decorated with American flags, extending across the street, was erected on Sixteenth Street, near Chestnut, under which the procession passed. Flags were also displayed from many private residences. Mr. Lincoln was loudly cheered all along the route, and frequently rose and acknowledged the greetings of the spectators. Several handsome bouquets were thrown into his carriage. When the procession reached the corner of Ninth and Walnut Streets the pressure of the crowd was tremendous. On Ninth Street from Walnut to Chestnut a strong force of police was stationed to keep the street clear; but at times its efforts was unavailing. The Continental Hotel, at which lodgings had been provided for Mr. Lincoln, soon became so crowded that it was found necessary to close nearly all the doors and to station policemen at them, in order to prevent the entrance of the thousands who surged toward them after the President-elect had entered. Mr. Lincoln soon after presented himself on the balcony of the hotel, and was greeted with prolonged cheering. A band stationed on the balcony struck up a lively air, at the conclusion of which the mayor of Philadelphia, Alexander Henry, tendered the hospitality of the city to Mr. Lincoln, who responded in a brief address. When he had concluded Mr. Lincoln retired to his apartments, and the vast assemblage slowly dispersed. A little after eight o'clock the President-elect took a position at the head of the grand stairway of the hotel, where he remained some time, in order to gratify the curiosity of those who wished to see him. About ten o'clock an arch of fire-works with the words, "Abraham Lincoln" in large letters in the arch, and the words, "The Whole Union" beneath it, was exhibited at Ninth and Chestnut Streets, extending across Chestnut.
Washington's birthday, February 22d, was more generally observed in Philadelphia this year than for many years previous. The presence in the city of the President-elect, together with the ceremony of flag-raising at which it had been arranged he should assist, gave the celebration a more important character than ordinarily. From all the public buildings, hotels, shipping, newspaper offices, and engine and hose-houses the American flag was displayed, and a large number of private dwellings were decorated in a similar manner. At sunrise a national salute was fired, and at seven o'clock a committee of the City Councils waited upon Mr. Lincoln, who was escorted from the Continental Hotel to Independence Hall by the Scott Legion. On entering the hall Mr. Lincoln was formally received by Theodore Cuyler, president of Select Council, to whose address of welcome Mr. Lincoln briefly replied. After inspecting the portraits and relics in the hall, Mr. Lincoln was escorted to the platform in front of the building, where his appearance was the signal for long-continued cheering. Everything had been arranged for unfurling the new flag with thirty-four stars, the thirty-fourth representing Kansas, then recently admitted as a State. The flag was rolled into a ball in man-of-war style, so that when it reached the peak of the staff it should gradually unfurl to the breeze. The Scott Legion was drawn up in front of the platform. Mr. Benton, chairman of the joint committee of Councils, then said that he had been deputed to request Mr. Lincoln personally to raise the new flag with thirty-four stars, "the first elevated by the city government." Mr. Lincoln consented to perform the ceremony, signifying his acceptance of the invitation in a brief address, in which he said, "I think we may promise ourselves that not only the new star placed upon that flag shall be permitted to remain there to our permanent prosperity for years to come, but additional ones shall from, time to time be placed there, until we shall number, as was anticipated by the great historian, five hundred millions of happy and prosperous people." After prayer by the Rev. Henry Steele Clark, Mr. Lincoln grasped the halyards until the flag, having ascended to the peak of the flag-staff; was unfurled. The band played the "Star-Spangled Banner," which was followed by "The Stars and Stripes are Still Unfurled," a piece of music dedicated to Mrs. Robert Anderson, wife of Maj. Anderson, commander of Fort Sumter. During the ceremonies a detachment of the Washington Grays stationed in Independence Square fired artillery salutes. Great enthusiasm was exhibited by the spectators. Having performed the task allotted him, Mr. Lincoln returned to the hotel, and at half-past eight o'clock left in an open barouche drawn by four horses for West Philadelphia, where a special train awaited him. At this point a salute was fired, and a large assemblage witnessed Mr. Lincoln's departure for Harrisburg at half-past nine o'clock. The next feature of the day's celebration was that in which the City Councils took part. Both branches met in joint convention, being called to order by Mayor Henry, and repaired in procession to the platform in front of Independence Hall. Mayor Henry here stated that the object of their meeting there was to listen to the reading of Washington's Farewell Address by the Hon. Joseph R. Ingersoll. Bishop Potter offered a prayer, in which he expressed the hope that Washington's words of warning and admonition might be heeded throughout the length and breadth of the land. Mr. Ingersoll was then introduced and read the address, which was attentively' listened to by the vast assemblage. The address was also read at the meeting of the soldiers of the war of 1812, which was held in the Supreme Court room on the same day, Hon. Joel B. Sutherland presiding, by Col. Robert Carr, who had carried a musket at a review of troops by Gen. Washington, and was the oldest of the survivors of the war of 1812. Resolutions were adopted by the meeting requesting Congress and the State Legislatures "to adopt such measures as will present to the people of the several States such amendments to the Constitution of the United States as will tend to secure peace and amity between the different States, and thus add new strength to our institutions and make our republic the continual admiration of the civilized world;" thanking Virginia "for coming to the rescue and holding out the olive branch of peace to the other commonwealths;" and expressing the hope that the Peace Congress would not adjourn until it had perfected some plan for the preservation of the Union. At Mechanics' Hall a large number of citizens assembled to do honor to the memory of Washington. The building was profusely decorated with flags, and at the back of the speakers' stand portraits of Washington and Commodore Decatur were exhibited. After the national hymn ("America") had been sung, Rev. J.E. Meredith offered a prayer. The choir then rendered the "Birth of Washington," after which the master of ceremonies, William B. Thomas, introduced the orator of the day, Rev. D.W. Bartine, who delivered a patriotic discourse. The day was also marked by an imposing procession of workingmen, representing the leading industrial establishments of the city. During the parade bells were rung at frequent intervals, and many beautiful flags, banners, and appropriate emblems were displayed, with inscriptions expressing fidelity to the Union. At National Hall a mass-meeting of workingmen was held. Isaac W. Van Houton presided. After Washington's Farewell Address had been read by James Blakeley, Mr. McPherson offered a series of resolutions demanding immediate action on the part of Congress, "either by the adoption of the Crittenden, Guthrie, or Bigler amendments, or by some other full and clear recognition of the equal rights of the South in the Territories;" opposing "any measures that will evoke civil war;" recommending the repeal of all acts of the Pennsylvania Legislature which were not consonant with a spirit of friendliness to sister States, and that the workingmen of Philadelphia hold their senators and representatives in Congress and in the State Legislature to "a strict account for the fulfillment of the promises made to the Workingmen's Committee of Thirty-three at Washington and Harrisburg;" and suggesting that the organization of the workingmen of Philadelphia should be maintained. In addition to the other observances of the day, there was a parade of the military organizations of the city, including the Minutemen of '76, Captain Berry, the Garde Lafayette, Captain Archambault, the Washington Grays, Captain Parry, the Philadelphia Grays, Captain Foley, and the Meagher Guards.
A national convention of workingmen began its sessions at the Wetherill House, Sansom Street, on the 23d of February. Delegates were present from Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. S.W. Cloyd, of Kentucky, presided. Resolutions deploring the sectional agitation which was disturbing the country, and indorsing the Crittenden Compromise, were adopted. J.B. Nicholson, of Pennsylvania, having been introduced to the meeting, presented the chairman, on behalf of the workingmen of Philadelphia, with a handsomely-bound copy of Washington's Farewell Address. A series of resolutions were offered by Mr. Touchstone, of Maryland, denouncing the "nabobs and aristocrats of the South and fanatics of the North," but having been objected to were withdrawn. On motion of Mr. Lawrence, of Virginia, it was determined to appoint a National Executive Committee consisting of three persons, with power to increase their number to thirty-four. The convention then adjourned.
At a convention of workingmen, composed of delegates from the different industrial works of Philadelphia, held at Spring Garden Hall, on the 4th of March, for the purpose of choosing delegates to a national convention to be held at Louisville, Ky., on the 4th of July, Joseph Christy was chosen president, J.M. Stephens vice-president, and Richard Flach secretary. An executive committee was appointed, which, on March 7th, organized by electing the following officers: President, I.W. Van Houton; Vice-Presidents, A.N. Macpherson and E.W. Fraley; Recording Secretary, John Hall; Corresponding Secretary, W.H. Sylves; Treasurer, W. Obdyke.
Hon. David Wilmot, senator-elect from Pennsylvania, and famous as the author of the Wilmot Proviso, arrived in Philadelphia on Saturday, March 16th, and stopped at the Continental Hotel, where he was serenaded by a number of his political friends. Mr. Wilmot acknowledged the compliment by making an address, in which he defined the principles that would guide his course in the Senate.
A meeting of the friends in Philadelphia of Hon. J.J. Crittenden was held on the 6th of March at the American Hotel. Dr. Alfred L. Elwyn was appointed chairman, and S.E. Cohen secretary. It was resolved that a committee of ten persons be appointed to confer with Mr. Crittenden "to ascertain when it would be convenient for him to visit Philadelphia, in order to afford its citizens an opportunity of manifesting their deep sense of approbation of the patriotic efforts made by him to maintain and perpetuate the union of these States." The committee, consisting of Hon. Joseph H. Ingersoll, Hon. Peter McCall, Hon. Edward King, Peter Williamson, James C. Hand, Dr. Alfred L. Elwyn, Robert H. Hare, John Hulme, J.E. Peyton, and Marcellus Mundy, wrote to Mr. Crittenden, who replied on the 17th, declining the invitation on account of having been called to his home in Kentucky.
At a meeting of the Workingmen's Committee of Thirty-four, which was held at the Wetherill House on the 19th of March, it was resolved that "the workingmen of Philadelphia do hereby recommend to all our fellow-workingmen of our common country to lay aside all political and sectional feeling, and to come out in the majesty of their power and show to political party tricksters and to the world that our country must and shall be preserved."
The action of the Pennsylvania Legislature in postponing the spring municipal election was the occasion of several political meetings in Philadelphia about this time. On the 20th of March the county convention of the Constitutional Union party met at the county court-house, George C. Collins presiding, and after electing S.H. Norris president, S.S. Sunderland secretary, and M.B. Dean treasurer, appointed a committee to draft resolutions denouncing the action of the Legislature, with instructions to report at a subsequent meeting. On the 21st the Minutemen of '76 appointed a committee, consisting of H.F. Knight, James W. Martin, F.S. Altemus, H.C. Laudenslager, and W.J. McMullen, to confer with committees of other associations as to the propriety of holding a mass-meeting to protest against the action of the Legislature. The Democratic City Executive Committee characterized the act as an "outrage perpetrated by the Black Republican majority in the State Legislature," and appointed a committee to consult counsel as to its legality.
Early on the morning of March 26th a secessionist flag was found flying from a pole in front of the "Jolly Post," in Frankford, and soon attracted a large crowd. It was finally taken down, and the assemblage dispersed.
A meeting of the Constitutional Union convention was held on the 27th of March, I.H. Norris in the chair, at which resolutions were adopted declaring it inexpedient at that time to attempt to test the constitutionality of the late act of the Legislature by which the spring election had been postponed until the fall, and that the time had come when those "who love their country for their country's good must unite in beating down under foot the fell spirit of disunion, anarchy, corruption, and fanaticism."
On the 29th of March an opinion was published of City Solicitor Charles E. Lex, rendered in compliance with a request from City Councils, affirming the constitutionality of the act of Legislature abolishing the spring election for municipal officers.
During the annual session of the Philadelphia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church the Committee on the State of the Church, to which was referred the subject of the repeal of the new chapter on slavery inserted into the "Discipline" by the General Conference, reported March 29th, concurring in the resolutions of the East Baltimore Conference requesting the General Conference at its next session to repeal the chapter on slavery, and instead thereof, empower each annual Conference within whose bounds the institution exists "to make such regulations upon this subject as in their judgment may best subserve the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom among them." The committee also recommended the adoption of an address to the members of the church in Delaware and on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia. The address assured them that they had the profoundest sympathies of the Conference in their disquietude and agitated condition, and that no exertions should be wanting to secure them redress for their grievances and to maintain their ecclesiastical rights in and under the constitution of the church. It also declared that the change in the church discipline introduced by the chapter on slavery was entirely uncalled for, "highly offensive to our brethren on the border, and lamentably injurious to the welfare of the church among them," and ought to be repealed. The committee also reported that "in view of our present national difficulties and embarrassments, and the consequently disturbed condition of the public mind on the one hand, and the conflicting opinion of our churches in Delaware and Maryland on this subject, we deem it inexpedient to divide the Philadelphia Conference by State lines at this time." The report of the committee was adopted unanimously.
News of the firing upon Fort Sumter (April 12th) was received in Philadelphia by telegraph on the same day, but did not become generally known until published in the newspapers of the following day. On the reception of the news at Harrisburg the State Legislature immediately passed the bill, drawn up by A.K. McClure, appropriating five hundred thousand dollars toward organizing, equipping, and arming the militia. On Saturday, April 13th, a feverish interest in the dispatches from the seat of hostilities followed the announcement in the morning papers that war had actually commenced. The streets in the centre of the city were thronged until a late hour at night, and "every one who hinted any sympathy with the secessionists was made to take an unequivocal stand." At an early hour on Sunday groups of men gathered around the newspaper and telegraph offices, and eagerly discussed the news of the surrender of Fort Sumter, as published in the extras. The feeling in opposition to secession was very strong, and one individual who openly expressed his sympathy for the South was set upon and chased from Third and Chestnut Streets into Dr. Jayne's drug-store. Here he was protected by policemen, who barred the door, and thus effected his rescue. A hand-bill was circulated during the day calling upon "young men desirous of rallying around the standard of the Union" to enroll themselves immediately in the new volunteer Light Artillery Regiment, "now rapidly filling up, and ready to march upon the receipt of orders from the Governor." This circular was issued by order of Captain J. Brady, acting major. At most of the city armories the volunteers gathered during the day, discussing the probable effect of the news from a military point of view. The Union feeling was strongly in the ascendant, and it was agreed on all hands that the government should be sustained at all hazards, and independent of party predilections. During the evening the throngs on the street increased, and the extras, announcing that a proclamation would be issued by the President calling for seventy-five thousand volunteers, were quickly sold.
A meeting of the officers of the First Regiment, Washington Brigade, was held at Military Hall, Third Street near Green, on Saturday evening, April 13th, lieutenant-Col. C.M. Berry presiding. Gen. Small stated that he had visited Washington and tendered the command of the brigade to Hon. Simon Cameron, who had accepted. Recruiting soon became general, and the ranks of the volunteer companies filled up rapidly.
On Monday, April 15th, an excited crowd collected in front of No. 337 Chestnut Street, owing to a rumor that a paper called The Palmetto Flag, which advocated secessionist principles, was published in the building. Finally several men entered the door leading to the stairway and attempted to ascend to the third story, where the publication-office was said to be. A policeman interfered, and the men left the building. The crowd, however, continued to increase, and a demand was made that the American flag should be displayed from one of the windows of the room in which The Palmetto Flag was said to be published. Mayor Henry soon made his appearance at one of the windows, waving a small flag, and was greeted with cheers. The mayor addressed the assemblage, appealing to all citizens who were loyal to the flag to show their respect for it and for the laws by retiring to their respective homes. The request was not complied with, however, until a large flag had been unfurled from the building, and a number of persons remained until some time in the afternoon. In consequence of the excitement, Town & Co., the publishers of The Palmetto Flag, announced that they would suspend its publication. While the crowd was still gathered in front of The Palmetto Flag office, the stars and stripes were being run up at the American Hotel, Chestnut Street, above Fifth. By some mismanagement the flag ascended the staff union down. As soon as the mistake had been discovered the flag was lowered, but not until the crowd, having noticed the reversal of the ensign, and interpreting it as an insult to the Union, had made a rush for the hotel. In a few minutes the flag reappeared in the usual way, and was greeted with cheers. About noon the crowd began to move in other directions, visiting various places where flags had not been exhibited as an evidence of the Union sentiments of the occupants, and requiring them to be displayed. A paper, declaring the unalterable determination of the subscribers "to sustain the government in its effort to maintain the honor, the integrity, and the existence of our national Union and the perpetuity of the popular government," was circulated on the 15th and following days for signatures. Among the subscribers were Horace Binney, S.G. Fisher, James R. Webb, Joseph R. Ingersoll, J.I. Clark Hare, Samuel C. Perkins, William M. Meredith, Charles Gilpin, B. Gerhard, Richard Vaux; William H. Kern, James Bayard, H.C. Carey, Thomas A. Biddle, William E. Lehman, V. Gilpin, James W. Paul, C.W. Churchman, Oswald Thompson, George M. Stroud, C.N. Bancker, Morton McMichael, L.C. Cassidy, S.A. Mercer, Charles S. Peaslee, Charles Gibbons, Ch. Borie, Charles Platt, David Webster, Charles Dutilh, Edward H. Trotter, John C. Knox, Edward S. Whelen, Matthew Morris, R. Smethurst, John W. Field, William R. White, C.H. Fisher, C.G. Ohilds, W. Cummings, Alexander Fullerton, William D. Lewis, Charles Gilpin, George H. Stuart, Samuel H. Perkins, Richard S. Smith, E.M. Lewis, Benjamin Rush, Thomas C. Hand, Daniel Smith, Jr., J. Murray Rush, E.A. Souder, H.P. Borie, C. Guillou, J. Hill Martin, I.P. Hutchinson, Victor Guillou, John H. Penrose, William R. Lejee, S.P. Wiltbank, Alexander Biddle, D. Dougherty, Joshua W. Bates, Horace Binney, Jr., Theodore Cuyler, J.H. Curtis, Jr. On the evening of April 15th the members of the Corn Exchange fired a salute of thirty-four guns from their rooms in Second Street in honor of their new flag and the whole Union.
On the 15th of April, Maj.- Gen. Robert Patterson, commanding the First Division Pennsylvania Volunteers, issued an order calling attention to the President's proclamation asking for seventy-five thousand volunteers, and stating that he relied on the loyalty of the officers and men of his division for the enforcement of a rigid system of military instruction. The brigadier-generals were directed to give orders for special attention to the instruction of members of companies, and to adopt the most efficient means for putting their brigades in condition for immediate service. Under President Lincoln's requisition upon the State of Pennsylvania for sixteen regiments, Philadelphia's quota was six regiments, and the companies in process of organization vied with each as to which should have their ranks full first.
Gen. Robert Patterson died Aug. 7, 1881, aged eighty-nine years. He was for a half-century one of the most conspicuous public men in Philadelphia. His military position gave him unusual prominence. Entering the army of the United States during the war of 1812, he was appointed first lieutenant in the Twenty-second Regiment of Infantry. He was transferred to the Third Regiment in May, 1813, and before the war ended held the position of captain. Returning to Philadelphia, he became interested in the volunteer branch of the Pennsylvania militia. He was elected captain of the Washington Blues upon the formation of that company, on the 17th of August, 1817. The Blues was a large and spirited company, and was noted for its strength and efficiency in military exercises. Some time after they were formed, Captain Patterson was elected colonel of the City Volunteer Infantry Regiment, retaining at the same time the command of the Blues. In 1824, Brig.-Gen. Thomas Cadwalader, of the City Brigade, resigned that position, having been previously elected major-general of the First Division, to succeed Gen. Isaac Worrell. Col. Patterson was elected brigadier-general of the City Brigade. In 1833, Gen. Cadwalader having resigned the position of major general, Brig. Gen. Patterson succeeded, him. He held that rank until 1867, when he resigned. During all that period he was prominent in the city upon occasions of military parades, processions, and as chief commander of the division in times of riot and disturbance, when the services of the troops were called. He was in command of the troops which went to Harrisburg during the Buckshot war in 1835. During the Native American riots of 1844 he had command of the troops in Kensington, and at the church of St. Philip de Neri in Southwark. For some time after the latter riot the city was practically under martial law. Gen. Patterson had his headquarters at the Girard Bank, and remained there until quietness and good order were assured. Upon the breaking out of the war between the United States and Mexico he was appointed major-general in the service of the United States. He was in command at the battle of Cerro Gordo, which was fought on the 18th of April, 1847, in which eight thousand five hundred American troops vanquished twelve thousand Mexicans. He commanded the advance which followed the retreating enemy, and on the 19th of April captured Jalapa. He took part in the subsequent engagements in the heart of Mexico, and entered the city of Mexico with the victorious army. After the close of the war he returned to the United States with the troops, and participated in |
