Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-02-15
VOICE OF THE DEMOCRACY.

DEMOCRATIC MEETING IN WEsTMORELAND.
At n meeting of the Democratic party of Weslmore
land county, held at the Courthouse, the eth day
February, for the purpose OF sending delegates to the
Democratic State Convention, to assemble in the City
of Richmond IN the 2sth Of February, 1918:
On motion, Walter Bowie, Esq. was called TO the
Chair. and Charles G. Baker appointed Secretary.
On further notion II was
Resolved, That committee Of three be appointed To
draft resolutions for the meeting.
The Chair ;hen named the following gentlemen rs
the committee :-eenry A. Washington, John +. Brock
enbrough. and Benedict Walker.
The committee having retired, after q short absence
returned, and, through Henry a. Washington, their
Chairman, reported the following resolutions which
were adopted:
l. Resolved, That, in the judgment of this meeting,
the in which the country Is now engaged pro.
vnked by the conduct Of MexicO-that it could not
have been avoided, consistently with the national ho
nOr-and that IS, therefore, ust and righteous on the
part of the United States.
.. Resolved, That, according TO the law of nations
where one Safe takes up arms against another the
conquering State has right to seize upon the property
towns cities and provinces Of the enemy in order
bring him TO reasonable conditions, and compel him
accept equitable and solid peace; that where the
just in It's origin indemnity for the expenses Of
its prosecution, we'll As for pre- existing wrongs and
injuries, is reasonable condition which The victor has
rgh To impose upon the vanquisbed; and believing
have declared in the preceding resolution that
the which We are now waging Is Just and rIghte.
our part are in favor Of its vigorous ,rosr-
cu,ion until Mexico shall have been compelled 10 &C
cept an equitable anu solid peace, upon the basis oi
such indemnify.
3. Resolved, That, EasmGch rs a cesscn of a por. !
ton Of her territory Is the only indemnify Which it is in
the power Of Mexico 10 make 10 us, II Is oi right and
~ the Judgment Of this meeting II Is the duty of the
President 10 insist upon such cesson as one of the
conditions of peace But we take this occasion 10 de-
clare that, while we are in favor Of demanding from
Mexico Just and reasonable territorial indemnify,
are, the same time. rrsoui.ly opposed 10 the
quest of the whole Of that country either 10 he held
suhjugated province, or incorporated into the terrific
rirs u The United States And, having thus expressed
oar decided hostility 10 the conquest Of The Whole OF
Mexico for ell!er OF the purposes indicated above,
deem but right and proper that We should declare
conviction that no such purpose Is now, ar ever has
BEEN entertained by the present Administration, though
the charge has been frequently made for political by
ends
4 Resolved, That il is L source Of honest pride and
consolation TO the members of this meeting, that, in
serious matter foreign war, they are able TO be-
leve that their country Is in the right and that they
would he deeply grieved and mortified did they feel
themselves constrained by the circumstances attending
our breach with Mexico to arrive at the conclusion
teraned by many other political opponents, that the
war in which the nation is now engaged unpro.
voked, unnecessary, and wholly of our own seeking
that originated the lust of conquest and territorial
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, and desire To cypress and trample
upon a weak and nnOlrndng people-a conclusion
which, By placing our country III the wrong, converts
officers and soldiers into licensed robbers aud
ierers victories toto organized butcheres and in
The place Of military fame aud glory, leaves the nation
~ Inheritance Of lnfamy and disgrace.
s. Resolved, That the gratitude of the nation il due
irst TO the President, for The wisdom and humanity
with which he has conducted the Mexican war; se-
:ondly the officers of the army, for their
he service. and for the skill, science and bravery which
hey have displayed in the field; and lastly but priDc
lay, To the common soldiers, who, after all, the
rue heroes OF the war, though others will wear the
aurels.
IL Resolved, That the experience Of each revolving
year but mpresses the deeply with the ronvic
on that the principles the Republican party are tho
true principles upon which the government should be
in the opinion Of this meeting there
never time when the wisdom OF those principles
stood thoroughly vindicated than the present.
ind that the gratitude Of the country i, due the ad-
ninslralion for the fidelity nth which it has adhered
o them.
7. Resolved That by these principles IL is our pur.
lose TO abide-lha no man can receive support for
anceand iiat~ ne keP no B5slti6n 10 follow the
xampIe of our political opponents, who, conscious Of
he weakness OF their cause already calling Her
u!es for help, and, shrinking from contest with MS
pom principle, have manifested disposition take
p candidate xpon trust, that they may secure the aid
4 soldier. whose popularity, they believe Is stronger
han their principles, and whose military fame they
confidently hope, will bear them into power.
Resolved That tho gratitude OF the country Is due
o the President for his admirable Veto Message, in
which mpolicy and unconsttutonaity Of internal
improvements by the General Government ore placed in
he strongest lights and to the Secretary Of the Treasu
y, for his mastery reports, which have Commanded
attention and admiration Of the statesmen and eco
,omists al Europe, and which will stand rs enduring
monuments Of the wisdom Of Free Trade, the progress
Il which, both in Europe and America, We hail with
roound satisfaction and pleasure, cOnscienousy be-
leving, d. that the time is not far distant when,
nder the auspices ola holier and christian civil
ation shall look back upon our present systems of
eslriction we now do upon the swaddling bands
with which, in darker times, the human body was com
ressed.
O. Resolved, That we approve of the State Conven-
ion be held in the city Of Richmond on the 2-h Of
february, 1885, and that he appointed TO repre-
the Republicans Of Wes;moreIand in said Conven-
lon.
The Chair, by consent, filled the blank In the ninth
esoulion with The names Of the following gentlemen.
" Edward Porter, John w. Hunerrford, DR.. William
> Mckinney James II. lett, John w. iiungerurd, jr
Warren u. Watson, Henry A. Washington, Edwin
luit, William A. spence, sr Arthur Brown, John Nor
wood, John McNeai, benjamin F. Brown, John L.
,roc nbrourh. Gordon Forbes Benedict Walker, Or
On Ingram and J0hn Graham, jr.
On motion, the Chairman and Secretary were added
0 the delegation.
The fol owing resolution was then offered by Adolf
bus Spence ESQ., aud agreed to:
Resolved, That, In relation TO our Mexican troubles,
regard great political prntpe as involved either
n the adontiOn Of MIR. CahonnJ defensive policy, 0r
IT, PoIk,s VIGOROUS prosecution of the war and do
ot therefore, regard the subject Of sufficient import
nee in a Presidential canvass To distract the Democrat
party. influence Us in selecting candidate for The
Presidency.
Henry a. Washington, Esq, next offered The follow
nc resolution. which was adopted by the meeting:
Resolved, That in case the delegates just appointed
v the Chair TO attend the Democratic State Conven-
ion he held in the city of Richmond the :sth Of
ebray 1913, shall not be able To attend, then that
he following gentlemen be requested 10 represent the
republicans of Westmoreland in said Convention
IL James NJ. Smith, Eustace Conway Washington
;reenhow, John 3. Caske, John N. Daniel, Peter V.
,anirl, IT,, and William F. Watson.
Resolved, That The proceedings Of this meeting be
ublished in the Richmond Enquirer, Richmond Ell
miner and Fredericksburg Recorder.
On notion the meeting then adjourned.
WALTER BOWIE, Chairman
CHARLES c. BAKER, Secretary.