Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-04-01
UNION MEETING.

subject of sending delegates TO the Nashville
Convention, as recommended by the Legisa-
ture of Virginia. at its late session. The meet
ing was organized by the appointment of Col.
JAMES CRAWFORD as Chairman, and Jos. A.
WADDELL as Secretary.
THOMAS j. NICHE, Esq, moved that Com
mittee of five be appointed by the Chair to pre-
pare resolutions. JAS H. SKINNER, ESQ, moved
as an amendment that the Committee be COM
posed of nine members and be appointed from
both the great political parties. The amendment
was accepted by Mr.. Niche, and the motion
was adopted by the meeting. The Chair then
named the following gentlemen as the Commit
tee, viz Thomas ]. Michie Alex H, H. Stu
art, Shelton S. Abney, James H, Skinner, VIM
II. Hartman, John B. Baldwin, Banjamin Craw-
ford, Kenton Harper and Iyttleton Waddell. =
The Committee retired for a time and on re-
turning reported the following preamble and re-
solutions which were read By Col. BALDWIN:
The people Of Augusta believe that the time
has arrived when it becomes them publicly and
aolemnly to declare their affection for thai ulli.
ty Of government which constitutes the United
States of America one people.
We verify believe it TO be the main pillar in
the ediiice of our rea} independence, the sup
port OF tranquility at home, our peace. abroad,
OF our safety, of cur prosperity, Of that very
liberty which we 50 highly piize
We feel that, at this crisis, it is of Infinite
moment that we should properly estimate the
Immense value ofour national union 10 our col
lective and individual happiness that we should
cherish cordial, habitual and immoyeabla at.
y1chn1ppf fo 81 To ,,I,
and to speak OF it as a palladium of our roliti-
cal safety and prosperity watching for lis pre-
servaton with lealons anxiety discountenanc-
ing whatever may suggest a suspicion that it
can iii any event be abandoned and indignant
~ frowning upon the first dawning OF every at
tempt to ALLEVIATE any portion of our country
from the rest. or to enfeeble the sacred ties which
now link together the various parts. Be it there
resolved
/. We ejoiee in the assurance that the calm,
steady prevailing voice Of real public opinion is
beginning to be heard above the noise and strife
of political aoitators and we doubt not that ia
natics at the North, and factionists at the South
will ore long earn the important truth that the
Heart of the Nation is for the Cnion-for the
Union as our Fathers formed it-for the Union
as it is.
2. Identified with the interests, deeply I'M.
bned with the feeugs-aye, even with the pre-
JUDGES of the South, we do not expect we can
not hope that our brethren at the North will
think or feel with US in regard to the sectional
questions which unfortunately divide us, But
we rely with confidence upon the patriotism and
the sense of Justice OF the sober-mnded and re-
fleeing men of the North and we expect their
concurrence and cooperation in tire settlement
OF all our differences upon such terms as friends
may offer and brethren accept.
5. We have no disposition 70 recount the
wrongs suffered by the South--nor do we
claim for her exemption from all fault. We
would rather forgetting these things which are
behind, CT remembering them bnt for instruc-
zion and warning, press toward prepared TO
concede, anxious to concilate--resolved upon
peace.
4. We know Of nc ovii--yge suffer no griav.
ance, which cannot be removed by a fair and
JUS. al administration Of orr governnaen. according
TO the Constitution. We anticipate no wrong
for which disunion would be a remedy. For
the protection Of cur rights, we look with con-
fidence to the authorities and misunderstanding
ed by the constitution, and sworn to support it.
1t will be soon enough to seek other safeguards
when all of these have been tried in vain
S. For the settlement OF all questions affect
ing the Union, we look to the men Of the Union,
assembled in the councils of the Union-untler
the Constitution Of the Union. We have no
confidence in--we discam all reliance upon,
any assembly, however called, wherever held,
which does not find its authority in the Consti-
tuition, and its highest object in the preserva
ton of the Union. More especially DO we dis
trust any such assembly, when i! is avowedlv
sectional in its organization and purposes, aud
expressly excludes from its deliberations the
citizens Of all other portions Of the Union, how
ever wise and patriotic they may be. We there
fore, declinet to be represented in the Nashville
Convention.
g. eve have taken our stand upon the plat
form of the general Constitutional platform
broad and firm enough, and firm enough to up
hold every interest of the whole country
There will we ever be found and 20 local poll
cy or local feeling, no temporary impulse shall
induce lis to Weld our foothold on the Consti,u-
ZION and the Union. We will march under no
banner not known to the American people, and
to their Constitution and Laws"
Z. The gratitude of every friend of the Union
is due to Senators Clay, Cass, Webster and
Dickinson for the noble and patriotic stand
which they have taken in support of the Union
They have touched chord which thrills thro'-
on. the land-carrying hope and confidence to
the firesde and the hearihstone. A nation shall
call them 5lessed-blessed are the peace. ma
kers.
T 8 We disarprove Of the action Of the Viz
ginia Legislature, because we do not consider
the subject to be one properly belonging to their
jurisdiction, and because while they profess to
deter to the wishes Of the people, they have
given occasion and opportunity for the assump-
ton by faction of an Influence and authority
which is due only to the deliberate opinions ola
majority Of the community.
Mr.. SKINNER offered the following report en-
boiying the views of a minority of the Commit
tee, aud moved its adoption by the meeting as
substitute for the report Of the majority:
We the people of Augusta County, entertain
ing sincele and abiding attachment to the T.
MON ofthese States and fully alive to the past
glories, the present prosperity and future pros
poets of this great Coniederacy, would deeply
deplore the necessity which should force US to
sever the ties which bind us 10 it. Resolved,
therefore:
/. That we regard with unmingled apprehen-
sion the efforts which have been, and are now
being made by our Northern brethren and their
= TO ,lC 81