105 LETTER FROM REV. II. W. BELLOWS, PRESIDENT OF SANITARY COMMISSION. WASHINGTON, D. C., July 12th, 1862. /. W. White, Geo. Opdyke. fa GENTLEMEN-, I regret that my previous engagements, which carry me to another section of our troubled country, will not permit me to accept your invitation to address the people of Xew-York at the mass meeting of loyal citizens on the 15th instant. I should rejoice to participate in that important meeting. The masses are tlie great constituents of those who are waging this defence of democratic institutions against the assaults of the proudest aristocracy in the world. It is not slavery, but the aristocratic spirit of feudalism, which simply finds its accidental expression in negro slavery, which is now making its last and most bloody struggle (in modern history) in this civil war. We are fighting the poor man's, the working-man's, the foreign emigrant's, the mechanic's, ihe clerk's battle. Their last battle for political and social equality. Feudalism on the other side of the water, in all her various shapes French, English, and Austrian hates our prospect of success, and loves every rebel who strikes us withbullet or bayonet, as if he were in her own employ. But, if we have the aristocrats of the whole world against us. we have the people of the whole world with us ! We are fighting against thrones and principalities and powers fighting for equal rights, the poor man's liberties, the dignity of labor, and the principle of self-government. We are fighting for the gospel of Christ, in its political expression, against the religions of caste and the hierarchies of birth and blood. When the people know this, every man will drop his quill, his last, his spade, his hammer his hod, his ledger, his comfort, his party prejudices, his home and his fortune, to enlist! That is the thing to do, and to do at once. It is the only practical proof of patriotism that ought to be accepted from an able-bodied man, between twenty and forty, at this crisis of liberty and democratic existence. Yours, with utmost sympathy, H. W. BELLOWS. LETTER OF EDWARD EVERETT. BOSTON, 14th July, 1862. Charles Gould, Esq. : DEAR SIR, I received, a moment since, a copy of your circular of the llth, inviting me to attend a mass meeting of loyal citizens, of all parties, in New-York, to-morrow. It would give me great pleasure, if it were in my power, to take part in a meeting, called in the great Metropolis of the Union, for the patriotic purposes indicated in the circular ; but my official duty as a member of the Board of Overseers of Harvard College, requires me to be at Cambridge on Commencement day, the 16th. New-York needa no voice from abroad to cheer her in the path of duty, at this momentous crisis. I remain, dear sir very respectfully, yours, EDWARD EVERETT. LETTER OF JOHN A KING. JAMAICA, L. I., Jidij 14th, 1862. Charles Goidd, Esq., Secretary of Committee of Loyal Citizens: DEAR SIR, I beg to acknowledge and thank you for the invitation to address the meetinf of loyal citizens, to-morrow afternoon, in the city of New- York. Concurring fully in the patriotic object and purposes of the meeting, I hope to be present on the occasion, but must ask to be excused from taking an active part in the proceedings of the meeting. With great respect, your obedient servant, JOHN A. KING. 14
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM4ODY=