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

Speech of Mr. O. O. Ottendorfer.

In his introductory remarks he alluded to the occasion which had given rise to such an unparalleled and truly sublime display of enthusiasm and patriotic feeling. He maintained that we were here to save the groundwork of our institutions, in the acknowledgment of our lawful authorities, in the regard for the result of an election agreeable to a Constitution so universally admitted to be the pillars of our political existence, the bulwark of our liberties and our prosperity. Take away these pillars, or suffer their disintegration, and the whole proud structure will tumble into atoms. Look around, or peruse the pages of the history of the country, and tell us what is the secret of our progress and success? Political parties have contributed to the advancement of the country by means of the application of such principles, which in their opinion could be made instrumental to the furtherance of our general welfare. But this display of the activity and powers of parties could never have been successful without fealty to the cardinal principle, that every lawful election carries with it the duty of abeyance in its results, and that only from a strict adherence to this obligation and usage a party can maintain its ascendency, and command the confidence of the people. Unconditional obedience to self-created laws, and implicit respect for the decision of the popular will, were the fruitful sources of party power and prestige not alone, by the reasons which have led the whole civilized world at once to admire our system, and to fear or cheer our progress. The proof of the capability of man for self-government — as made apparent from our example — was gaining ground among the lovers of liberty of all nations, and presented an ever-active stimulus to our own people to contribute to its reassertion and confirmation. At this very hour we are here assembled for the very same object. As to the ways and means through which that end is to be reached, contrary opinions have not failed to be maintained, and in particular as to the recognition of the result of our late Presidential election. Such has been the case, and has been a fruitful source of evils of various descriptions. The refusal of such recognition in some parts of the, country, the obstinate resistance to the constitutionally created authority, the stubborn denial of established and fundamental truths, the rejection of every conciliatory proposition, and many other shapes of opinion, found their adherents; and with some it was difficult to reason at all, or to persuade them that the application of power or the resort to revolution was not always the safest way to adjust difficulties or to retrieve wrongs. It is not long since that every shape and variety of opinions have found their adherents among our people. Everybody understood perfectly well, that the maintenance of our lawful authorities was imperative and indispensable; very few, however, agreed as to the manner in which that end was to be achieved, and how in particular the pending revolution which had given rise to a renewal of all these diversities of opinions, was to be treated ; but on one point all agreed, namely, that obedience to the constitutional powers was to be exacted at all events, either by means of persuasion or by force. Our meeting here is proof to the fact, that patriotism and loyalty have conquered prejudice and alienation, and that all are united in one common purpose, the maintenance of the authority of our Government, the protection of our flag and property, and the correction of palpable errors, that have been the consequence of the machinations of men disloyal and inimical alike to the Union, and to their best interests and welfare. The events of the last few days have convinced all of us of the futility of the application of any further conciliatory measures, and that the people of the United States see nothing left them beyond an appeal to the ultima ratio, force; and in order to uphold the very existence of the nation, and to perpetuate the blessings of that Union under which we all alike, ourselves and the revolutionists, have prospered in so unprecedented a degree. But if force is once to be applied, let us do it vigorously, and without faltering and hesitation. As it is, we see no other alternative before us to secure to our posterity the blessings of the Union, than by asserting its indissolubility with arms in hand. [The speaker, who was vociferously cheered, again and again excused himself from continuing his remarks any further on account of indisposition, and withdrew amidst hearty plaudits.]

At Stand No. 4, situated at the southwest comer of Union Square, the meeting was called to order by Mr. Royal Phelps, who nominated Mr. Moses H. Grinnell as Chairman.

Fellow-citizens, said Mr. Phelps, I have been requested to call this meeting to order by nominating a presiding officer. At political meetings it is not always an easy task to name a chairman who will satisfy all; but this is not a political meeting — this is a patriotic meeting, called for the purpose of supporting our legally elected President (Abraham Lincoln), our Constitution, and our flag. For this purpose I know of no one who will give greater satisfaction to you than the old, well-known, and highly respected merchant, Mr. Moses H. Grinnell. (Cheers.) Those in favor of having Mr. Grinnell as our presiding officer will please say “Aye.” A tremendous “aye” was the response, and amid enthusiastic cheering, Mr. Grinnell assumed the duties of President of the meeting.

Mr. Grinnell now said the next thing in order would be the nomination of Vice-Presidents, and the following list was accordingly read:--

Vice-Presidents.

James Harper,

Wm. V. Brady,

C. V. S. Roosevelt,

A. R. Eno,

Edward J. Jaffray,

Eli White,

M. O. Roberts,

George Briggs,

Simeon Baldwin,

W. J. Peck,

Thomas Adams,

Willard Parker,

Jas. Watson Webb,

A. A. Low,

Charles Partridge,

Luke Kiernan,

U. A. Murdock,

Charles Butler,

W. C. Wetmore,

Hiram Ketchum,

Lathrop Sturges,

B. W. Bonney,

Fred. Schuchardt,

John J. Cisco,

J. Sampson,

Edward Haight,

Henry Coullard,

John Moncreif,

Wm. H. Johnson,

C. P. Leverich,

Robert C. Goodhue,

J. Van Buren,

Joseph Battelle,

C. Vanderbilt Cross,

Samuel R. Betts,

F. Marquand,

Joseph Hoxie,

Philip Hamilton,

C. G. Conover,

B. F. Manierre,

J. H. McCunn,

J. J. T. Stranahan,

Henry K. Bogert,

Charles King,

John Stewart,

James Humphrey,

George F. Thomas,

Wm. Jellinghaus,

G. W. Burnham,

Edward Minturn,

W. E. Warren,

Theo. Glaubensklee

Samuel T. Tisdale,

James G. King,

Gerard Hallock,

James W. Gerard,

Edward Larned,

W. G. Sprague,

Edwds. Pierrepont,

George J. Fox,

Wm. H. Neilson,

F. B. Spinola,

Thos. Commerford,

W. S. Horriman,

S. W. Roosevelt,

Thomas Denny,

J. D. Morgan,

George Jones,

Henry G. Norton,

Joseph P. Norris,

John H. Smylie,

Corn. K. Garrison,

Daniel Parish,

Thos. W. Clarke,

Wm. H. Leonard,

Geo. G. Barnard,

Lewis B. Woodruff,

James Bowen,

Thomas C. Acton,

S. S. Wyckoff,

J. D. Ingersoll,

John Harper,

B. F. Beekman,

W. H. Townsend,

Ph. Frankenheimer

E. J. Wilson,

John Ward,

James W. White,

John H. Lyell.