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ist； and a most generous friend。
Resolved； That in his more extended capacity as a citizen he has enduringly associated his name with numerous objects； which remain as monuments among us； connected with the institutions of religion； education； and commercial prosperitywith the advancement of the mechanical； agricultural； and other useful arts and scienceswith the spirit of public improvement and public morals； and that so long as these remain to us matters of interest； we shall never forget that he has been of them all among the foremost； most liberal； and most efficient promoters。
Resolved； That we hereby express to him our heartfelt sympathy in his misfortunes； our unshaken confidence in his integrity； and our admiration of the dignified fortitude and composure with which he has met the reverses into which he has been dragged； through no fault of his own； except a too generous confidence in pretended friends； and our earnest hope that he may yet return to that wealth which he has so nobly employed and to the community he has so signally benefited。
Resolved； That copies of these resolutions； signed by the President and other officers of this meeting； be transmitted to Mr。 Barnum； and also to the press of this city。
Mr。 E。 B。 Goodsell said that Mr。 Barnum had been the friend of the poor； and his hospitalities had been extended to men of every State in the Union。 The citizens of Bridgeport should be proud to claim as one of their citizens P。 T。 Barnum。 His name was written upon every charity in their city； and the temples of God bore its impress。 By a few fell strokes of an ugly pen； he has been drawn into that whirlpool of destruction to himself and almost destruction to many in the city。 In the midst of his prosperity； while he was building up a city on the east side of their little harbor； he had fallen by the hand of traitors。 He hoped that he might survive his misfortunes and come back to live in their midst。 He did not expect that he could ever return with that 〃pocketful of rocks〃 which he used to talk so much about； but； if he would come； he for one was ready to pledge himself that he should never starve in the city of Bridgeport。 ＇Loud and prolonged applause。＇
Mr。 Oakley was loudly called for。 He said that he had deep regard for Mr。 Barnum in his distress。 He was one of the very few people in Bridgeport who had never received any aid from Mr。 Barnum； but he was ready to join in any expression of sympathy； and saw no reason why it should not assume a material form ＇loud applause＇。 He would only allude to Mr。 Barnum's unostentatious benevolence。 To one of the churches of the city Mr。 Barnum gave 500to one of their churches in which he felt no interest beyond his interest for Bridgeport； and this was but a specimen of his munificence。 Nobody could say that Mr。 Barnum had not made the best and most benevolent use of his money ＇Applause＇。 He had been the means of adding a large number to the population of Bridgeport。 He never yet had found a man who was more eminently the friend of the poor man than P。 T。 Barnum ＇Cheers＇。 He had alleviated the sufferings of many a broken heart； and he had aided many a young man to start in business。 If Mr。 Barnum had erred； it was only an error of judgment ＇Cheers＇。 He sympathized with Mr。 Barnum。 He had talents which would cope with those of most of the human race。 He did not believe that there was a man in the city who had so little soul as to begrudge a tear to him in his misfortune ＇loud applause＇。 They should at least send him assurance that there were thousands of hearts in his own city which appreciated his noble benevolence； and loved and honored his character。
Mr。 Noble read the following letter from Mr。 Barnum：
〃NEW YORK； April 25th； 1856。 〃DEAR SIR： I have just received a slip containing a call for a public meeting of the citizens of Bridgeport； to sympathize with me in my trouble。 It is headed by his Honor the Mayor； and is signed by most of our prominent citizens； as well as by many more who by hard labor earn their daily bread； and who appreciate a calamity which at a single blow strips a man of his fortune； his dear home； and all the worldly comfort which years of diligent labor has acquired。 It is due to truth to say that I knew nothing of this movement until your letter informed me of it。 In misfortune； the true sympathy of neighbors is more consoling and precious than anything which money can purchase。 This voluntary offering of my fellow…citizens； though it thrills me with painful emotions and causes tears of gratitude； yet it imparts renewed strength and fills my heart with thankfulness to Providence for raising up to my sight； above all this wreck； kind hearts which soar above the sordid atmosphere of 'dirty dollars。' I can never forget this unexpected kindness from my old friends and neighbors。 I trust I am not blind to my many faults and shortcomings； I； however； do feel great consolation in believing that I never used money or position to oppress the poor or wrong my fellowmen； and that I never turned empty away whom I had the power to assist。 My poor sick wife； who needs the bracing air which our dear home （made beautiful by her willing hand） would now have afforded her； is driven by the orders of her physician to a secluded spot on Long Island； where the sea…wind lends its healthful influence； and where I have also retired for the double purpose of consoling her and recruiting my own constitution； which； through the excitement of the last few months； has most seriously failed me。 In our quiet and humble retreat that which I most sincerely pray for is tranquillity and contentment。 I am sure that the remembrance of the kindness of my Bridgeport friends will aid me in securing these cherished blessings。 No man who has not passed through similar scenes； can fully comprehend the misery which has been crowded into the last few months of my life； but I have endeavored to preserve my integrity； and I humbly hope and believe that I am being taught humility and reliance upon Providence； which will yet afford a thousand times more peace and true happiness than can be acquired in the dire strife and turmoil； excitements and struggles of this money…worshiping age。 The man who coins his brain and blood into gold； who wastes all of his time and thought upon the almighty dollar； who looks no higher than blocks of houses and tracts of lands； and whose iron chest is crammed with stocks and mortgages； tied up with his own heart…strings； may console himself with the idea of safe investments； but he misses a pleasure which I firmly believe this lesson was intended to secure to me； and which it will secure； if I can fully bring my mind to realize its wisdom。 I think I hear you say；
When the devil was sick； The devil a saint would be； But when the devil got well； The devil a saint was he。'
〃Granted； but after all the man who looks upon the loss of money as anything compared to the loss of honor； or health； or self…respect； or friends； a man who can find no source of happiness except in riches； is to be pitied for his blindness。 I certainly feel that the loss of money； of home and my home comforts； is dreadful； that to be driven again to fin