lause.] So you see the power of a word of encouragement
and cheer when any one has arduous work before him; and that is our duty
here to-night, my fellow-citizens,--to speak out with one voice, and
determined voice, and to cheer those who have undertaken this work, and
to let them know that we are ready to support them, that now is the
time, and that we are determined that this great work shall be
accomplished. [Applause and cheers.]

THE PRESIDENT. I shall now have the pleasure of introducing to the
audience Col. CHARLES W. WILDER. [Applause.]

SPEECH OF COL. CHARLES W. WILDER.

This large gathering of our citizens in Faneuil Hall is for some
purpose: it is significant that the people want something. I do not
understand that it is in any sense to re-affirm their conviction that
their best interests will be served by adding to our public property a
park or parks. That question has been fully discussed and decided by the
people themselves for themselves: they settled that by their, with
remarkable unanimity, voting to accept the act of the legislature,
giving power to the city government to purchase or take land for that
purpose. All classes seem to agree upon the necessity. The entire
medical faculty with one voice say we want it for sanitary reasons, and
have joined in the general petitions. Our capitalists and merchants have
spoken for themselves unmistakably by their petitions to the city
government, bearing more than seven thousand names, and representing, I
am informed, more than two hundred millions of taxable property. An able
Commission, after a year of careful study, and diligent devotion to
their duty, have made their report. The people have examined, discussed,
criticised, and finally approved and accepted it, and now come here in
Faneuil Hall to speak direct to City Hall for its adoption. Mr.
President, our professional men, our merchants and capitalists, have
spoken for themselves by their petitions and voices here to-night. It
remains only for me to speak for the more numerous class of our
fellow-citizens who pay but two dollars poll-tax. Yet they are as good
citizens, have and feel as deep interest in the growth, prosperity, and
progress of our city, as their more fortunate neighbors; and in the name
and behalf of the mechanics, the laborers, the great mass of men that
build our cities, and whose labor contributes so much to our growth and
prosperity, and whose employment is the one thing more