A FAMILY PAPER DEVOTED TO THE NEWS OF THE DAY IN SOUTH DANVERS (PEABODY), MASSACHUSETTS
January 6 – June 29, 1864 - Part VI
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About South Danvers (Peabody), Massachusetts
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South Danvers Wizard, 1/6/1864,
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ANOTHER WAR MEETING – “Our citizens assembled again for a War Meeting at the [Peabody] Institute, last Monday evening. The Salem Brass Band enlivened the assembly with music, previous to the arrival of the speakers and at intervals during the speaking. Hon. A.A. Abbott presided, and congratulating our citizens on their attendance in so large numbers, proceeded to introduce Judge Russell of Boston, who was warmly received, and frequently interrupted in the course of his remarks by shouts of applause. After a brief introduction, he spoke of the duty of a loyal citizen at this crisis; of the injustice of party divisions, and that we should all be one mind in this cause. In the war of 1812, many thought it unnecessary and might have been better managed, but it was our flag that was attacked, and they must forget all divisions in loyalty to the common country attacked by England. And then England felt the roar of cannon across the waters. We have come, he said, to fill our quota, and further that it should be filled by volunteers in order to escape the horrors of a draft. We ask them to take the bounty, not as the price of their life, and those men who are unable to go willingly give something to make it easier for them to go. We want volunteers on account of its effect upon the Southern heart. They would never have engaged in this way had they known the unanimity of the North. Jeff Davis himself said: ‘I will hold in the hollow of my hand all the blood that will be shed in this war.’ Let Massachusetts and all other States make a New Year’s present of their quotas to the army, and the hearts of not only the suffering captives in Richmond, but many other loyal men, black as well as white, all over the South, would be encouraged as they heard the tramp of 30,000 more marching to their deliverance. We want volunteers for its effect upon the heart of Europe. In the beginning of the war, we were in doubt about the intervention of England, but now European nations have deserted the South, and they are without a friend. What has caused this change? The noble stand of the working men of England. They have gathered together in London and other cities, by thousands, and have said to us, ‘Go on; we are with you,’ and to President Lincoln, ‘God speed the right.’ By the light of Gettysburg, Port Hudson and Vicksburg, England has read the Ten Commandments. Show her 300,000 more and she will read the Sermon on the Mount. It was the thought of the vast stake for which we play, that caused our unanimity at the first of the rebellion. He alluded to the patriotism of the Volunteer Militia, in their response to the call of the President. The old Puritan blood that was up will prove what we can do on the battlefield, and not only Puritans, but exiles in other nations have sent their best treasures to swell the strength of the army, and Ireland has given us the names of Mulligan, Shields, Corcoran, and our Massachusetts Col. Cass. To fail in this is to hold back the reserve that is to win the battle. The prosperity of this part of the country would depart, and we should see our land rent with civil feuds, and drenched with fraternal blood: We are enjoying prosperity such as was never before known in civil war. And shall we make return for this by folding our arms, or shall we sacrifice all, our life it may be, to the cause of those at home. He would leave it to the wives and mothers of our brave soldiers, to say whether we should give up now. We must succeed, for God never let anything so precious as patriot blood, be lost. Thousands of brave soldiers from their graves will go with us, and Warren and Prescott will marshal us to victory. We must not be vexed at delay or defeat. The Battle of Bunker Hill, the first battle of any importance during the Revolution, was not a victory for the American arms. But Washington, when he heard of it, and heard how bravely the patriots stood under British fire, exclaimed, ‘Thank God the liberties of America are safe!’ The speaker referred to some of the many noble deeds of heroism which the war has brought to light – among others of the noble pilot of the Escort, at the time of the siege of Washington, N.C., by the rebels, who, when shot through the brain still stood by the helm as he guided the boat through the narrow and intricate channel, and lived for twelve minutes upon loyalty alone! We cannot despair because our cause is just – it is the cause of freedom and of man. We have had an alliance with the King of kings and He will give us success; and when we have come out of the contest, and our music shall be the grand anthem of our Fathers, shall be all the praise! Rev. Mr. Thayer of Salem, late Chaplain of the 40th Regiment, was the next speaker. He said we are here in tranquility; we are without fear of molestation, because there stands between us and the rebellion, a living wall, who are pressing forward and crushing it more and more. And the appeal comes to us from them for help, in the dictates of humanity towards the South. Who doubts that the South will derive benefit from the direction of the North, and become more prosperous than ever before?? Their voice calls to you, whose triumph would be their ruin. He spoke of the desolation of women and children in the South, bereft of husbands and sons, and who are awaiting the trampling legions of the Union. They appeal to us, and the slave, to whom only five minutes liberty is enough to cause them to take the musket and fight for the liberties of others. And the appeal comes to us from the prisoners at Richmond, and the soldiers now in the field. But the time is coming when this cause shall triumph, and now opportunity is given to take a share in the honor of those who have enlisted in the cause. Now, even at the eleventh hour, you can be pointed out and honored, and your name will be handed down as a rich legacy to your children. Mr. Jacob Perley, of this town, was next introduced. He spoke in his usual characteristic style, and kept the audience in continual merriment. He reminded them of the motives which are offered to men to enlist; first, the pay is now offered, being more than they could earn at home. But if it is worth this to go for a mark to be shot at, it is worth more than for the privilege of shooting rebels. The speaker said he would give five dollars for every shot at a rebel, and ten for a shot at a rebel officer. Those who are heads of families need not fear but that their families will be taken care of. Another motive is the exigency of the cause. If we succumb, one of the terms of the rebels will be that we shall pay all their debt. A muzzle will be placed upon our press, and a padlock upon our lips, and a man would not be allowed to look at a rainbow without asking consent of a slaveholder, or whistle Yankee-Doodle without going down cellar and putting his head in a barrel. Jeff Davis thought that in six months the war would end. He spoke of the privations of South. Everything has converged to the destruction of the Confederacy. How much have they gained in all their victories by the men they lost. Gen. Grant has given Bragg such a blow in the middle of his breadbasket that had knocked him into the middle of next year. Another motive is the love of country for the protection she affords him, on account of her moral worth and free institutions. The speaker spoke of the glorious results that will accrue to us if the rebellion should succumb, and the increase of its commercial enterprise. He alluded to the righteousness of the war, and considered enlisting as a duty we owe to our country and to God. He approved of any method of war, and justified Gen. Gilmore’s throwing Greek fire into Charleston in the words of Parson Brownlow of the Knoxville Whig, ‘Greek fire for the masses; hell fire for the leaders.’ He was willing that Gen. Gilmore should beat Beauregard’s brains out with a Bible, if in no other way, and would justify it on the plea of ‘preaching Gospel to the heathen.’ He closed with an allusion to the patriotism of South Danvers, and thought they would not be wanting in this crisis. Mr. Abbott, in closing the meeting, reminded the citizens that although the draft might be postponed as far as one knew, the time for receiving the extra bounty would expire by Tuesday night, after which the meeting dispersed.” |