Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-04-11
[From tie ParkvJurg Ga-ettc.

At an unusually large and respectable meeting
of the citizens Of Wood county, convened at the
Courthouse pursuant 10 notice, on Saturday, us
inst, Col. J. G. Stringer was called TO the chair
and William H. Stafford appointed Secretary.
The object of the meeting having been ex
planned BY the chair, i, was successfully address
ed by Jas. NJ. Stephenson, Esq, OF Tyler; VIM
A. Harrison, Esq, Of Harrison; Cabel Taven
ner, ESQ, of Lewis and General ]. ]. Jackson
Of Wood.
The following resolutions were thereupon read
and unanimously adopted:
Whereas, the citizens of this and several othe
Northwestern counties, by their delegates me
in convention al Clarksburs on the 4th and 5tt
days of October last, to consider and recommend
measures calculated 10 ensure the extension O
The improvement Of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail
road Company TO the Ohio river, al some poiD
not below the mouth Of the Little KaEawha;
And whereas, the said convention adopted, anc
ordered TO be circulated, memorial 10 the General
Assembly, praying that right OF way, for The
purpose OF such extension, might be granted to
The said company, which was numerouSy signed
10y the citizens of the North West, claiming 10 be
The real applicants for The said right of way and
duly presented 10 The General Assembly;
And whereas, Notwithstanding The reasonable
ness OF the said prayer, and the obvious fact thai
the proposed extension, hy greatly improving lis
sarily greatly increase the population and wealth
Of the Northwest, thereby enhancing the resources
prosperity and power OF the Commonwealth, the
said right OF way was in effect refused and this
meeting is convinced that such refusal, if persist
ted in, is fraught with most disastrous consequent
ces 10 a section Of The State comprising nineteen
counties, having population Of 100 600 souls, The
products Of which must by force of their natural
position, and the necessary course of trade find
4 market without the limits of the State, and can
not in any possible contingency, be diverted TO an
Eastern Virginia market;
And whereas, the said memorial and prayers
OF The citizens of the Northwest, in substance,
merely asked The aid of corporate powers to do
with greater facility what, as individuals, they
have an unqueslionable right TO do, namely 10
make road over their own soil, with their own
means, and such assistance from others as they
have an indsputable right TO accept;
And whereas, the grant of corporate powers
for such purposes is in strict accordance with the
policy OF the State, as exhibited upon almost
every page Of the s.atute-book; and the refusal
thereof, when, as in the present case, The object
proposed is not only the benefit of the corporaors,
but maniteslly of The State at large has no prece-
dent under lh:s or any other Representative Gov
eminent;
And. whereas, if either, b. means Of power
wan;only exercised for our injury, or, as the re-
sult,of a selfish and contracted sectional policy,
this improve ment, calculated 10 bestow immune
rabe blessings, is lost 10 the Northwest, all OPP
portunity greatly 10 improve its condition is lost
forever Therefore,
We, the people of Wood county, citizens of
Virginia, in full county meeting assembled, So
lemnly impressed with the magnitude and import
auce OF the interests Of ourselves and our posterl-
y. now al stake; asking and having asked of our
fsllow-citizens, represented in the General As
sembly. nothing which has ever been refused TO
others: fully convinced that the connacd rejec-
lion of an application 50 obviously Just in itself,
and. if granted 50 advantageous 10 us and ours,
and to the whole commonwealth, would be an
act of most fragrant and wanton oppression, sut-
fcien, TO cancel the allegiance due from us under
other circumstances; but, trusting that our Tel
]ow-ciizens of other sections will not permit
their representatives To persist in such injustice,
and willing, therefore, 10 make further appeal
70 their sense Of right and duty, do resolve as fol-
lows:
/. Rssolrcd, That We are deeply impressed
with sense OF the INJUSTICE done 10 us and our
best interests and 10 the Stale al large, by The re-
fusal OF the General Assembly, at its recent ses-
sion, 10 permit the extension of the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad through the Northwest 10
The Ohio river; and thai we entertain an equally
profound conviction that such refusal did not re-
feet the sentiments of the people OF this CON-
nonwealth
.. Resolved That inasmuch as it was known
10 the General Assembly that the interests of the
company. 10 say nothing of insuperable physical
difficulties, would not permit the Baltimore and
Ohio Company 10 terminate their road al Wheel
ing, the granting right OF way, and combining lis
terminus 10 that city, was in our deliberate OPT
Mon, on the part Of many voting Tor IT d mere
sub,eriuge. and mockery OF the respectful prayer
q the Northwest, which it was intended 10 deny,
without The manliness Of direct refusal.
g. Resolccd That refusal, whether open or
covert, OF right Of war 10 the Ohio river al any
point mol below The mouth OF the Little Mana
wha river, Is breach OF the faith Of the Com
Inonweat pledged 10 the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad Company and 10 the whole Union, by
acts OF Assembly passed in 1927, 1887, and 1888,
in all Of which years such right OF way is
granted or recognized-and that it is we'll known,
that without such pledge, the said Company would
not have commenced their great undertaking.
4. Rcsolrcd, That il is an undeniable right pos
sessed by every portion OF the people in every sec
lion Of The Commonwealth, TO associate them
selves together 10 carry on any lawful business,
or 10 construct any road or other improvement
no, directly interfering with the vested rights of
Others having Tor its object the transportation Of
the products Of their labor TO the best markets !;
corporate powers, or any other ordinary facility
necessary 10 accomplish such object, is not only
withou, prcceden, in he history this Common
wealth, bat considering that similar privileges
have been freely bestowed on almost every other
portion OF the Safe, is, IN the highest degree, par
is unequal, Iajus! and oppressive.
5. Reutrcd, That 10 seek BY legislative resirc-
iions, or by denial Of The ordinary and usual le-
gislaiive facilities 10 compel any portion OF the
people of the State 10 trade at any other point,
than tina, which is most easy Of access, and most
advantageous &c heir Interests is not only an un-
warrantabe and unbecoming in,ermeddling with
individual right, but betrays an habitual selfish
ness, and contracted policy, unstalesinanlike,
and unworthy the true dignity OF this ancient
Commonwealth.
g. Rssoircl, That we are still unwilling 10 be-
lieve that this unjust policy will be persisted in
after the voice OF the people of the whole Com
monweallh is heard on the subject, yet we feel
bound TO say that if persisted in, We Shall consi
der such course conclusive evidence. that there
exists in other portions of the Commonwealth 4
desire TO retard the development, prosperity. growth
and power Of The West.
7. Rcsolrcd That we deem it mos, advisable
that The counties interested take counsel together
as 10 the measures best 10 be pursued in the pre-
sent emergency; and do therefore recommend
,hat convention Of the said counties be held al
Clarksburs on the last Thursday in May next
10 take The whole subject into consideration
ana 10 institute such action as may be most expe.
dient.
=. Rcsalrea, That 100 delegates be named by
a committee Of twelve TO be appointed BY the
Chair, 10 represent this county in the said convcn-
lion; and that we do most earnestly solicit every
other county interested in the matter 10 be repre-
senled therein BY full delegations
O. Resoired, That all the newspapers Of the
State, particularly those Of Richmond and Lynch
burg, and the Baltimore papers, BE-, and they are
hereby, requested 10 copy the foregoing preamble
and resolutions.
The Chair, in conformity TO the Sih resolution
APPOINTED George " Lewis B. Ii. Foley, Benz
Willard, John P. Mayberry, w. P. Raihbone
George w. Henderson, Thomas Maddox, JEFF
ierson Gibbons, Samuel Hamme,t, Samuel $
Coe, William S. Gardner, and Col. Thomas
Tavener