Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1848-08-17

Il . well known b onr citizens that meetin.
WIS called some weeks agu for the purpose o
making suitable arrangements 20 welcome on
brave volunteers back 10 their friends and thci
homes, amer long absence in an inhospiiabl,
land, exposed 10 the vicisiiudes and casualties d
climate and war. @ s SIT
j The Circular Of the Governor Of yirginia ap
pealed 10 The patriotism Of the young men Of hi,
good @Old Dominion iorally around the ma
tiunal standard; il rang like the tecsin among ouI
hills and without waiting 10 enquire theqeause
Of the war-withOut stopping 10 scrutinize it, jus
tice or injustice, or to understand ia character
knowing. only that their country was engaged
with another in lhe shock Of arms, many daunt-
less spirits despite the strong associations and
the binding ties Of home and kindred, stepped
forth barely al the call, inspired BY the exalted
sentiment ETheir Counfry-whcther right OF
wrong, their Country They were no, Demo
Gratis; they were not Whigs-bnt all party dis
tinciions were obliieraied By the universal and
fraiernal feeling thai they were Americans. If,
however, party lines had been drawn. IL Is likely
Il would have been found that decided maiori-
y Of The company were Wings. But pariyism
was superseded BY patriotism and they went
isrih cheerfully to save their common country.
They reached the Army in Mexico after all
the battles had been fought on that line to which
they were attached. Consequently there was no
opportunity for them to gain distinction in arms;
butiheir patient endurance OF the hardships Of
the camp their ready submission to their superb
ors their aleriness in the execution Of all orders,
their high state Of discipline, and their pride for
the character Of the Virginia Soldier, which in
duced that cleanliness healthincss, vigor and
dignity Of department, all drew forth the es-
pccial Communications Of that great Chief, Gen.
Taylor, and gained for them the soubriquet of
: The Crack Regiment in Mexico These
made US proud TO hail the Virginia Volunteers,
10 acknowledge that we had kindred among
them, and made us anxious 10 do them honor on
lheif return amongstus. As they had gone forth,
not rs Democrats or as Wings, but as citizen
soldiers, we, with their fellow citizens, not as
Wings or Democrats, wished, to welcome them.
ing was held and a resolution adopted excluding
politics from all the proceedings and arrange
ments and 50 things went on smoothly for a
while. But when the committee, which was to
select an Oraiff and make other provisions for
the occasion, subsequently met, then was the a
foresaid resolution grossly violated BY Demo-
Graf, Al the very commencement Of the proceed
ings. s -
One Of the Committee, wishing to give all the
importance to the occasion thar was possible,
and TO let the Volunteers see that we were using
every effort TO give them a most gratifying vel
come, and that it was no sham and child's play,
flor Orator one Of cur most prominent
and able citizens, without thinking for moment
whether he was Wing or Democrat. On the in
slant, Democratic member Of the committee
sprang to the floor and objected, On nc ground
tai Ne ras an Anii- Var Wzigi He thought The
speaker sioaid Be- a Demecrai.. The first commit
iee-man in ali sincerity declared that he had not
thought Of politics in making his nomination,
and was perfectly willing 70 take any Democrat
whom he gentleman might designate, equally
quali6edio honor the occasion. The Democratic
faiiing 10 doso, suggested an elo-
qnent clergyman which was readily acquiesced
in By The whole committee. The clergyman de-
elined, and the committee were Just where they
started.
IN the subsequent meetings Of the committee,
this same Democratic member declared against
I Wzie orator alone, and said there should he
several orators, 20 thai We could have them Of
each payiy. The Wing members Of The commit
s.e were willing 10 take any Dsmsrdtie orator, Of
standing. in yhe county, whom they
might name; hui they named none. u4rs,
lathe appointment Of the snb-commiitecs, the