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the object for which the meeting had been called, be said:

Many have an impression that such a help as now is needed in the South in some way will touch upon or imply some remission of political principles. Not at all, I do not process to be wise, not to say what are to be the courses of legislation. That there is to be some reconstructive legislation, all men know. All men feel that there is a great work, even though they may not be able to agree with many modes proposed to to say what should be proposed. There is to be an institutional and legislative work. But all, I suppose, will agree with you and me that that alone can never settle our troubles, and that, when you have made your metes and bounds of legislation, when you have fixed by law certain policies, as the banks and channels in which the national life shall run (Would it could be soon done!)—then the moral and social reconstruction are indispensable and this nation is never going to be reconstructed by talk. Sympathy again, confidence again, affection again, the interplay of interests again, mutual respect at last ripening, after a long intermission, into mutual love—this is reconstruction—when hearts beat together again, when old enthusiasms come up again under the old flag. And I most heartily respond to that sentiment of Dr. Bright, where he declared that these would go far—these reliefs, these merciful remedial agencies would go far towards this part of the reconstruction policy of the country. Justice! let it do its work, but O, let it be done quickly, that mere may do its work.

And this seems to me to touch the very question of brotherhood, and put us to the test whether or not we do love our enemies. Admit that the South being in arms was to have been accounted an enemy, and still an enemy, admit that under the influence of ignorance and of prejudice they will hate the North—it is not surprising to those who understand human nature—it would be surprising to those who understand the Christian spirit, if that should be an excuse among us why we should not relieve their pressing wants. We are to pray for those who despitefully use us—not pray at them, but for them. We are to heap these coals of fire which have been spoken of upon their heads; we are by love, by forbearance, by mercy to plead with them;  and as if God meant that we should have an invocation to the exercise of this large Christian disposition, behold his Providence that has cast down these men, blood of our blood, bone of our bone, flesh of our flesh, unto the utmost necessity, that we may not repay them with bread, with clothing, with every remedy and relief for their sickness and for their trials.

Let it be understood that when the North have made up their mind to go into a fight for princi- [[cutoff]]

...Johnston, F. G. Foster, Archibald Russell, Howard Potter, John M. Bruce, jr., E. C. Cowdin, W. T. Coleman, S. D. Babcock, J. P. Morgan, Edw. Bright, J. C. Ward, C. W. Agnew, and Frederick Law Olmstead. Of this Committee Archibald Russell was elected Chairman, F. L. Olmstead Recording Secretary, and Edw. Bright Corresponding Secretary. Messrs. Howard Potter, Samuel D. Babcock, Elliott C. Cowdin and J. P. Morgan were appointed a Finance Committee, and as soon as the means can be obtained, supplies will be sent forward to feed and clothe the hungry and naked.