Howard was appointed in his place. In the meantime the
Committee proceeded quietly in perfecting their arrangements. The
people, to the number of several thousand, offered themselves and were
added to the already formidable force. The demonstrations of citizens
not professedly belonging to, however in favor of the organization,
were, at this and subsequent periods, very impressive. An evening
meeting was held in front of the Oriental Hotel, the number present at
which was variously estimated at from five to eight thousand. This great
meeting was presided over by Hon. Baillie Peyton, formerly a
distinguished member of Congress, and then City Attorney. He addressed
the meeting, as did Judge Duer and other leading men. At the close of
the meeting, the immense assembly was called upon to say whether they
approved and would support the Vigilance Committee, and instantly such a
thundering "Aye" went up as seemed sufficient to rend the sky. When the
otherwise minded were called, two "No's" were heard, faintly breaking
the profound silence.
Pages:
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64