Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-08-21

PUBLIC MEETING In PRINCE GEORGE
At very large meeting OF the cilizens Of
Prince George county, without Distinction OF
parry, held at The Court House on The 9Th day
Of August, 10 give expression 10 their views in
relation TO the course pursued by The Northern
portion Of our Union, in regard TO our territories
The Wilmot Proviso, and other kindred mea'
sures,
On the motion OF William G. Birchcit, Esq,
DR.. Alexander Bryant was called to The Chair,
ard DR.. Theo. A. Hall appointed Secretary -.
The Chairman then in a cool, calm, d~isnifed
and impressive manner, explained The object Of
The meeting, showing The great necessity Tor
deep deliberalion on d subjec, SO dear TO US all.
That whatever action the meeting might take, he
hoped ard trusted its proceedings would be
market by unanimity OF sentiment, ard a defer.
mination TO meet the subjects which might be
| submitted 10 their consideration, viii an eye
single 10 The projection OF our rights as equals,
| AID the preservation and pcrpetualion Of Our
glorious Union, 10 which, with the Kindness Of
Providence, we are indebted Tor our present
prosperity.
On motion of w. G. Birchelt, Esq, The Chair.
man was requested 10 appoint a committee ii
| three 10 prepare resolutions for The consideration
Of the meeting; ard, lhereupon, the Chair an
nounced The following gentlemen as The commit
tee, 10 wit. Tim Rives, Esq, Captain William
Z. Proctor, and James W.. Scarborough, Esq,
who asked leave 10 retire lu prepare their re-
pUrt.
During the absence Of The committee, the Hon.
R. X. Meade, our Representative in Congress,
| addressed the meeting in defence Of The rights OF
| the South, aid 10 build opposition to The Wilmcl
| Proyiso, showing the iniquity OF thai vile ard
hypocrilical MISUNDERSTANDING further, thai il
we OF the South submit 10 this encroachmenl on
our rights as equals, We shall lose the power
which we now possess 10 protect them, and thus
We and our children will, thereby, be reduced to
a degree OF degradation wholly incompatible
with that equality Of rights and privileges which
is guaranteed to US by the Federal Constitution,
The great objecl Of the ira mers oil which was not
only 10 form a bond of union, but the protection
Of The property and personal liberty Of The people
of the United States. An attempt, however, 10
give even a synopsis of Mr. Meade's remarks
might d. him injustice. II is sufficient 10 say
hat his speech was highly satisfactory 10 his au-
dicnce.
II being then announced that the committee
were ready 10 make their report to The meeting,
Mr. T. Rives said: Before he proceeded 10 read
the report of the COMMITTEE, be begged leave on
their behalf TO say, thai The great magnitude OF
the subjecl which had been referred 10 them was
such, that il must be manifest 10 the meeting that
the time which had been allolled 10 lis conside-
ration was too short 10 give thet subject The con
sideration which it mcrited, in all It's bearings
and consequences.
The committee, however, had, after a full and
free interchange OF views and opinions, reported
a Preamble ard Resolutions, which they hoped
embodied the views OF the people OF Prince
George County, without distinction Of party.
He was instructed By The committee 10 say,
should there be anything Objectionable in the
phraseOlogy or sentiments Of The Preamble or
Resolutions, that lGey would be pleased to hear
suggested such notifications and amendments as
should b. desired. That i. was lEeir ardent de.
sire that such an expression OF opinion should
emaGa,e from the meeting, as would reflect tie
views OF all upon a suhject about which, they
were proud 10 believe, there was lille or no dil-
ference Of opinion.
The Preamble and Resolutions were Thea
read, as follows:
An ardent devotion 10 the preservation ct the
Union, which has SC long securtd 10 US the
rights and privileges which The statesmen and
patriots who framed The Federal Constitution so
fontly hoped would BE- enjoyed by The American
people, ought 10 cause every tine lover of his
country to ponder deeply, before he strikes al
rights which will endanger, it moi overthrow, our
glorious coniederacy.
The usurpaiion of power By oilers, which not
only violates that sacred instrument. no. attacks
rights and interests which sye guaranteed 10 US
BY the plain provisions of The Federal Compaci,
which could not have been adopted without The
safeguards and compromises agreed 10. Tor the
protection Of the rights Of the citizens of those
States which thought proper 10 TOLERATE slavery
within their borders, and permit the people there
otto hold The same as properly, is now The sub