Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 1.
Frank Moore, Ed.

---

[110]

The foregoing were unanimously adopted as the Vice-Presidents of the meeting, as were also the following names as

Secretaries.

George W. Ogston,

Samuel Hall,

Thomas Thornell,

John A. Ryerson,

V. B. Denslow,

David Adee,

E. L. Winthrop,

Nath. Coles,

Frank S. Allen,

J. Wyman Jones.

The meeting having now been fully organized, Rev. Dr. Vermilyea offered the following prayer, the vast crowd standing with uncovered heads, and the most impressive silence being preserved:--

prayer of Rev. Dr. Termilyea.

Infinite and adorable God! Thou art the all-powerful Creator, and in Thy providence Thou rulest over the nations and to the ends of the earth. We bow in presence of Thine awful majesty to supplicate Thy guidance and help amidst the agitations and perils of our beloved country. Wicked and designing men have plotted treason, and have now excited the passions of a portion of the people to levy war against that Constitution and Government Thou didst enable our fathers to establish; and blood has been shed in the causeless strife. Bring to nought, we beseech Thee, the counsels of the traitors, and restore amity to the people and peace and prosperity to the afflicted land. For this purpose give calm wisdom and inflexible decision to Thy servant, the President of the United States, and all his counsellors. May they shrink from no needful responsibility, but adopt promptly and execute firmly such means as may be most effectual in speedily enforcing the laws, maintaining the Constitution and Government, and punishing the disobedient. Bless the Army and Navy of the United States. May they be, what they were designed to be, the bulwark and defence of the country in this hour of trial. If it may be, spare further effusion of blood; but if not, then grant, O God, a heart of adamant to every officer and soldier and seaman, and help those who go forth to fight our battles for us, each man to do his duty. Bless the Governor and officers of this State, and the body of the people who, after long fraternal forbearance, are now risen to assert the majesty of law, and uphold the best Government the world has ever seen. Give us perfect unity, and let all party diversities be hushed. and forgotten. May the whole faithful portion of the people, now forced into this struggle for our political life and freedom, determine with fixed purpose never to falter nor give over until law and the Government are effectually vindicated and sustained. Though it may be for months or for years, though disaster and defeat may come, may they have the fortitude to suffer and the courage to persevere until this end is attained; for in it we believe are bound up the interests of freedom and of constitutional Government in this land and the world over, now and for generations yet unborn. Mercifully look upon this great city. Inspire its people in this sharp emergency with a spirit of obedience to law, and aid its magistrates in the preservation of social order among us. Let all classes realize the responsibility of this solemn crisis, and each one be submissive and gird himself to the work that may be required of him. Thus we pray most humbly and fervently, O our God. We acknowledge Thy supremacy; we look to Thee for Thy divine blessing. Thou who didst give success to our fathers in their day, give success to our righteous cause. Help us to support the powers that be, which are ordained of God. Spare blood, if it may be. Speedily end this needless and unnatural warfare, and bring in peace and good — will over the whole land. We ask — we implore these blessings — for the sake of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, our adorable Saviour. Amen.

At the conclusion of the prayer, Rev. Dr. Vermilyea said he desired to say a few words. I was, said he, born a citizen of this city, under the Stars and Stripes, and here I spent the greater part of my life. I cannot fight, but I can pray, and I have prayed most fervently for the success of our cause, and for constitutional liberty; and now I will read to you the following brief document:--

New York, April 20, 1861.

Carpenter & Vermilyea — Pay to the order of Hon. John A. Dix one hundred dollars to aid in furnishing men and means to uphold the Constitution and Government of our country against treason and rebellion.

$100.

Thos. E. Vermilyea.

The reading of this brief but expressive document was greeted with cheers.

---

Mr. Grinnell's remarks.

Mr. Grinnell said that this was a meeting of American citizens without distinction of party; it was a meeting of citizens without respect to former political issues, a meeting impelled by one impulse and one purpose — the preservation of our country's integrity and the Constitution under which we live. (Applause.) Gentlemen, said Mr. G., a crisis has arrived; the arm of the traitor has been raised against this Union. That arm must be broken down. (Enthusiastic applause.) Blood — yes, yesterday the blood of Massachusetts was shed. Yesterday, the anniversary of the glorious battle of Lexington, the grandchildren of those who fought there, and whose blood was the first that was shed in our Revolution — yesterday, my friends, the blood of their children was spilled in the streets of Baltimore. (Sensation.) Now, I say, the time has come when you and I, the young, the old and the middle-aged, must do their duty like men. Let no man stand aside. Let him who wants physical strength pour out his advice, and his money, if he have any to give. To you, young gentlemen, who have the bone and the sinew in you, supported by conscientious feelings of the duty you owe to your country — to you we look to stand by those Stars and Stripes. (Cheers.) We are all in the same boat,--(Cries of, “That's so,” )--and we know only one pilot and one guide; and that is, the Constitution, and the God who reigns over all. (Applause.) Gentlemen, I will not take up your time any longer; you have so many eloquent speakers to address you, that I will not detain you.

The resolutions which were read at Stand No. 1, and all the others, were also read here and adopted with the most unbounded enthusiasm. Those parts referring to Major Anderson's defence of Fort Sumter, and to the preservation intact of the Union, were applauded and cheered to the echo. The whole series were put to the vote, and passed with the greatest unanimity.

You have heard, said Mr. Grinnell, the resolutions; lo you all second them? (Cries of “Yes, Yes.” )