Cleveland Morning Leader
April 2, 1857 (page 2, col. 3)
Five Points Mission, New York, Arrest of Rev. W. C. Van Meter
We publish, by request, the following letter, for which, as a matter of justice to the writer, we solicit a perusal. We
believe him to be a good man, and engaged in a good work. The kind of contemptible persecution practiced
against him, deserves public condemnation:
Mr. Editor;
Since notice of my arrest in Illinois, on the charge of taking, paupers from New York into that state has been so
extensively circulated, and the statements often so unjust, will you have the kindness to publish this
communication?
For a few years past, I have been called to labor among the most wretched and degraded people on earth. The
saddest procession we ever witnessed, composed of the children of poverty, vice, crime and degradation, passes
daily before us.
These neglected, suffering, crushed little ones appeal to us as no others can. Their cry, the wail of perishing
infancy and neglected childhood--has been heard and hearts, and arms, and homes, have been opened, and
daily, the invitation comes to us send us one, and we will take it and bring it up in the fear of the Lord. It shall be
tenderly, cared for and share with us what God gives us. Those to whom the children are given, are well
recommended, and assume all the responsibility in reference to their future. The Mission exercises a constant
watch care over them, and should the party prove unfaithful, would at once remove the child.
Near twenty years ago, when starting West, in behalf of this Mission, I was requested by C. L. Brace, Esq.,
Secretary of the Children's Aid Society, to take some of their children [Note-this society sends more children to
homes, than any other similar society in the world. I often take children from there when I go West.] This I
cheerfully did; but had no more responsibility in the matter than would any stranger of whom the same favor might
have been asked. I was merely morally and honorably bound to be faithful. I took them and placed each in a good
Christian home. I do not know of one of that number that is not doing well.
With one of them (a boy about 17 years old) there has been some trouble; but a letter recently received, informs
me that he is doing well. He had been in an excellent home more than one year, when through the influence of
mischief-makers, he became dissatisfied and left. He spent several weeks working, hunting, loafing--staying a few
days in one place and then changing to another. When he was told that if he continued in that way he would be
arrested for vagrancy, he made arrangements to live with a farmer, with whom he still dwells.
During the severe weather of the past winter, I went West to place in homes another lot of children, and to visit
those I had previously taken there. Upon my arrival in Washington, Tazewell Co., Il. I met at the depot, the
proprietor of one of the hotels, who is also Overseer of the Poor. He has one that I had taken West of whom he
speaks in the highest terms. He inquired after children in that region. He told me that he feared that the boy first
alluded to would some day come on the county, as he was unwilling to work and would not remain long in place. I
said, "If I can find him, I will remove him." He told me he was with a farmer several miles off in the country. As he
was Overseer of the Poor, I told him that should anyone I had brought become a tax to the county, or to any one
not under obligation to take care of it, to inform me of it, and I would at once remove it and pay the bill.
I found the children in that region doing well, except one boy, who in consequence of death in the family, had
been three days with another family. Upon consultation with some of the citizens, I regarded it as an unsuitable
place, and therefore felt it my duty to remove him. The man having learned my intention, had so prepared the
boy's mind, that he said he would rather remain than go and risk getting a better place.
I had thus given offense and two days after, when passing through with some of the children, I was, through his
influence, arrested for bringing paupers into Illinois The officer was commanded to bring my body at once before
the Judge. He obeyed only when my body was taken before the Judge (Justice of the Peace). The Judge was not
there. I must wait until next day, and be tried at eight o'clock, A.M. I went, but for no particular reason, it was
delayed until near eleven o'clock
[Note: I learned the cause of the delay after the trial was over; a messenger had been privately sent in great
haste, to the other county, to find the boy and bring him back. He was brought, dressed in such a manner as to
make him look as badly as possible.]
The gentleman who first took the boy testified that he had been willing to keep him--that he studied geography,
read books and papers like other boys and that he considered him mentally and physically competent to earn his
living and that he was still willing to keep him.
The Overseer of the Poor testified that he had not paid a cent for him or any other one I had brought to the
State. He said a bill of $5 had been presented to him since I was arrested, but he refused to pay it.
[Note:--this was presented by the man who went in such haste after the boy. It said "for taking care of the boy,
Tom, for one month," yet, when put under oath admitted that the boy assisted in cutting wood, doing chores and
etc., and was absent three weeks of the time!!! I offered to pay any bills against the boy and remove him.]
This testimony and these offers were of no avail. "If these children are provided with good homes out here, they
were paupers in New York, and you must be punished for bringing them," seemed to be the Judge's view of the
law. I was fined one hundred dollars and the costs. I appealed and gave bonds for my return to the State in April
to be tried again.
Not one ever taken by me has been in a poor house or in any wise a tax to any, county in Illinois!!
Last Monday, we sent twelve to good homes in that state, and I am preparing to take another lot with me when I
go back to stand my trial. It is said in some of the anonymous communications that I preach persecution this is not
so. I seldom allude to it and would not now if it were not that my silence might cause some to think that it is
because of conscious guilt.
It is said I do not appeal for sympathy. I ask none for myself. I am not in distress. But I do ask for sympathy in
behalf of thousands of neglected children in this city. I do beg for help for the hundreds of those poor, little
perishing ones under our care. At an expense of about $500 a week, I do beg that 500 persons would for the
next five weeks send us one dollar each week, then our pressure would be over.
It is gravely charged that this is abolition movement. I admit it. It has abolished the degradation, drunkenness,
hunger, rags, sorrow, tears, and poverty of thousands, and by God's help will abolish it in ten thousand cases
more, But that this work of saving children is under any particular political or religious creed, is not true.
But this last, lowest, and meanest effort to injure the noblest work ever attempted in behalf of the poor, and
needy, and helpless by the cry of Baptist minister abolition, kidnapping white children in New York and selling
them like beasts etc., I need not notice.
The Children’s Aid Society is alone responsible for the sending of this boy, and they do not shrink from that
responsibility. The boy having gone under my care, causes me to be legally responsible, which responsibility I
promptly and cheerfully meet.
The Five Points Mission has had nothing whatever to do in the matter.
In conclusion, permit me to present our thanks to the press all over the land for their kind aid from time to time in
noticing this work, and to beg the favor of a place for this. Also, to gratefully acknowledge the noble liberality of
Mr. W. H. Adams, a Banker of Chicago, who says "draw on me for the amount of your fine."
In behalf of the poor,
W. C. Van Meter
Five Points Mission,
March 24, 1857
P.S. We do not intend to wrong or violate any law, but what ought we to do in cases like the following:
A beautiful little Yankee girl, sixteen months old has just been given us. A bright little German boy eight years old
was brought yesterday by his brother, an orphan. Today two unusually handsome intelligent little American boys,
five and seven years old, were given to us. They are for adoption. If good men in Illinois send to us for them, will it
be wrong to send them? Shall I risk the $100 fine, for taking "paupers" into the State, or shall I leave them to live
in the Five points, or go to the Alms house! What answer do you give, Mr. Editor--Reader! So far as I am
concerned I have but one answer to make--"When a poor homeless, friendless, child comes to us for sympathy
and protection, and a kind home is offered to it in Illinois, or any other place, may God do so to me and my
children, and much more, if I do not send it."
April 2, 1857 (page 2, col. 3)
Five Points Mission, New York, Arrest of Rev. W. C. Van Meter
We publish, by request, the following letter, for which, as a matter of justice to the writer, we solicit a perusal. We
believe him to be a good man, and engaged in a good work. The kind of contemptible persecution practiced
against him, deserves public condemnation:
Mr. Editor;
Since notice of my arrest in Illinois, on the charge of taking, paupers from New York into that state has been so
extensively circulated, and the statements often so unjust, will you have the kindness to publish this
communication?
For a few years past, I have been called to labor among the most wretched and degraded people on earth. The
saddest procession we ever witnessed, composed of the children of poverty, vice, crime and degradation, passes
daily before us.
These neglected, suffering, crushed little ones appeal to us as no others can. Their cry, the wail of perishing
infancy and neglected childhood--has been heard and hearts, and arms, and homes, have been opened, and
daily, the invitation comes to us send us one, and we will take it and bring it up in the fear of the Lord. It shall be
tenderly, cared for and share with us what God gives us. Those to whom the children are given, are well
recommended, and assume all the responsibility in reference to their future. The Mission exercises a constant
watch care over them, and should the party prove unfaithful, would at once remove the child.
Near twenty years ago, when starting West, in behalf of this Mission, I was requested by C. L. Brace, Esq.,
Secretary of the Children's Aid Society, to take some of their children [Note-this society sends more children to
homes, than any other similar society in the world. I often take children from there when I go West.] This I
cheerfully did; but had no more responsibility in the matter than would any stranger of whom the same favor might
have been asked. I was merely morally and honorably bound to be faithful. I took them and placed each in a good
Christian home. I do not know of one of that number that is not doing well.
With one of them (a boy about 17 years old) there has been some trouble; but a letter recently received, informs
me that he is doing well. He had been in an excellent home more than one year, when through the influence of
mischief-makers, he became dissatisfied and left. He spent several weeks working, hunting, loafing--staying a few
days in one place and then changing to another. When he was told that if he continued in that way he would be
arrested for vagrancy, he made arrangements to live with a farmer, with whom he still dwells.
During the severe weather of the past winter, I went West to place in homes another lot of children, and to visit
those I had previously taken there. Upon my arrival in Washington, Tazewell Co., Il. I met at the depot, the
proprietor of one of the hotels, who is also Overseer of the Poor. He has one that I had taken West of whom he
speaks in the highest terms. He inquired after children in that region. He told me that he feared that the boy first
alluded to would some day come on the county, as he was unwilling to work and would not remain long in place. I
said, "If I can find him, I will remove him." He told me he was with a farmer several miles off in the country. As he
was Overseer of the Poor, I told him that should anyone I had brought become a tax to the county, or to any one
not under obligation to take care of it, to inform me of it, and I would at once remove it and pay the bill.
I found the children in that region doing well, except one boy, who in consequence of death in the family, had
been three days with another family. Upon consultation with some of the citizens, I regarded it as an unsuitable
place, and therefore felt it my duty to remove him. The man having learned my intention, had so prepared the
boy's mind, that he said he would rather remain than go and risk getting a better place.
I had thus given offense and two days after, when passing through with some of the children, I was, through his
influence, arrested for bringing paupers into Illinois The officer was commanded to bring my body at once before
the Judge. He obeyed only when my body was taken before the Judge (Justice of the Peace). The Judge was not
there. I must wait until next day, and be tried at eight o'clock, A.M. I went, but for no particular reason, it was
delayed until near eleven o'clock
[Note: I learned the cause of the delay after the trial was over; a messenger had been privately sent in great
haste, to the other county, to find the boy and bring him back. He was brought, dressed in such a manner as to
make him look as badly as possible.]
The gentleman who first took the boy testified that he had been willing to keep him--that he studied geography,
read books and papers like other boys and that he considered him mentally and physically competent to earn his
living and that he was still willing to keep him.
The Overseer of the Poor testified that he had not paid a cent for him or any other one I had brought to the
State. He said a bill of $5 had been presented to him since I was arrested, but he refused to pay it.
[Note:--this was presented by the man who went in such haste after the boy. It said "for taking care of the boy,
Tom, for one month," yet, when put under oath admitted that the boy assisted in cutting wood, doing chores and
etc., and was absent three weeks of the time!!! I offered to pay any bills against the boy and remove him.]
This testimony and these offers were of no avail. "If these children are provided with good homes out here, they
were paupers in New York, and you must be punished for bringing them," seemed to be the Judge's view of the
law. I was fined one hundred dollars and the costs. I appealed and gave bonds for my return to the State in April
to be tried again.
Not one ever taken by me has been in a poor house or in any wise a tax to any, county in Illinois!!
Last Monday, we sent twelve to good homes in that state, and I am preparing to take another lot with me when I
go back to stand my trial. It is said in some of the anonymous communications that I preach persecution this is not
so. I seldom allude to it and would not now if it were not that my silence might cause some to think that it is
because of conscious guilt.
It is said I do not appeal for sympathy. I ask none for myself. I am not in distress. But I do ask for sympathy in
behalf of thousands of neglected children in this city. I do beg for help for the hundreds of those poor, little
perishing ones under our care. At an expense of about $500 a week, I do beg that 500 persons would for the
next five weeks send us one dollar each week, then our pressure would be over.
It is gravely charged that this is abolition movement. I admit it. It has abolished the degradation, drunkenness,
hunger, rags, sorrow, tears, and poverty of thousands, and by God's help will abolish it in ten thousand cases
more, But that this work of saving children is under any particular political or religious creed, is not true.
But this last, lowest, and meanest effort to injure the noblest work ever attempted in behalf of the poor, and
needy, and helpless by the cry of Baptist minister abolition, kidnapping white children in New York and selling
them like beasts etc., I need not notice.
The Children’s Aid Society is alone responsible for the sending of this boy, and they do not shrink from that
responsibility. The boy having gone under my care, causes me to be legally responsible, which responsibility I
promptly and cheerfully meet.
The Five Points Mission has had nothing whatever to do in the matter.
In conclusion, permit me to present our thanks to the press all over the land for their kind aid from time to time in
noticing this work, and to beg the favor of a place for this. Also, to gratefully acknowledge the noble liberality of
Mr. W. H. Adams, a Banker of Chicago, who says "draw on me for the amount of your fine."
In behalf of the poor,
W. C. Van Meter
Five Points Mission,
March 24, 1857
P.S. We do not intend to wrong or violate any law, but what ought we to do in cases like the following:
A beautiful little Yankee girl, sixteen months old has just been given us. A bright little German boy eight years old
was brought yesterday by his brother, an orphan. Today two unusually handsome intelligent little American boys,
five and seven years old, were given to us. They are for adoption. If good men in Illinois send to us for them, will it
be wrong to send them? Shall I risk the $100 fine, for taking "paupers" into the State, or shall I leave them to live
in the Five points, or go to the Alms house! What answer do you give, Mr. Editor--Reader! So far as I am
concerned I have but one answer to make--"When a poor homeless, friendless, child comes to us for sympathy
and protection, and a kind home is offered to it in Illinois, or any other place, may God do so to me and my
children, and much more, if I do not send it."