Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1854-11-02
PUBLIC nErrIsa AT HaaPEas-rERRY.

in purstIanf Of call al The Mayor public meet
ing of the eitIzens of Harpcrs Perry, bolivar and
Sandy Hook. Maryland, Was convened at Mrs Car
rellFs Hotel, 90 "Wednesday evening. the 18th instant
On motion; y V, fAsTfs, Esq, the Mayor, was call
ed 20 the Chair, and CHARLEs w. BrrroN appointed
secretary The object Of the Inet ing being 10 elicit
an expression Of opini. and 10 unite in suitable
denonstraton Of respect the nory Of the late
JosEPH BsrrrAiss motion, a committee Of seven
viz; a. J. Wight, A. Nj Ball. ia Herris ton
Jno. Price, d. J. Young, Jacob Miller and W d.
Winter were appointed to draft and report
for the action vi the meeting.
At this stage Of the proceedirgs the assembly, was
compelled or want of room, dispersc and re-as-
selnbie at the Temperance Hall.
The committee, alter a short recess, returned and
reported tile tslo~ing preamble and resolutions:
nHEREAss by dlspensltlOn Of DIVINE Pruyidcncc
our late fellow citizen, JosEPH BaIrTAts has been
suddenly removed FROM this life under cuinztances
OF Pee ulisfiy affective character; il is lifting that
we sihld ese expresston 10 sene IL tis exalted
~orth, and extend confidence and sympathy 10
his brreeycd 4 July h,fcGars--
Resscsd, That whilst . SELF preserxationi i The hrst
law Of nature the protection ofreputation and char
acter i the FIRST duy u man. aud that Whenever by
the dispc Of Providence, member Of society
has been stricken by the hand Of death, and il be-
comes necessity 70 sindcate his character and pro-
tcct his memory il Is the sacred and bounden duty
Of his fricns aid fellow citizens n. Pc fall attacks
made upon tho gOod name and reputation which be
had earned and maintained whilst living. Therefore,
Rss0ret, That in the Judgment Of this meeting, an
occasion prc scns itself or the proper exercise Of This
principle in view ofthe circumstances which proceed
ed, aud, in opinion hlztsned to terminate the
existence Of our ficnd acquaintance, and late fellow
citizen.
Reso.rsd, That we have heard with feelings ofdeep
regret, that charges of a dishnnorable nature had
been preferred lin an adjoining Sate1 against the
deceased and now, that he has been consigned by the
Supreme Dispo4er Of afhcnian events, to the tomb;
anda legal yinficat ON Of his character and rcputa-
ton from the charges preferred his
friends and acGuaintances, in town meeting assem-
bled, unanimously
Rtsoiue, That having known him long and well,
we are fully competent and do with pieasurc bear
testimony 10 hisintegrity Of character and high
Of honor that vie scout the idea, and view with
and contempt the effort vhch has been made 10 cast
suspicion upon his name; tarnish the reputat ton
Of his children 40 destroy their peace anato plant
in the widowed heart Of his bereaved partner, pang
kcener than the agony Of death sorrow more last
ing than time.
Resored, further, That the person or persons. who
with a nlalignity almost unpara to
cast obloqiiy upon the reputation Of 6gr late Fellow
citizen deserve the reprobaton and contempt Of all
honorable men.
Resored, That a copy Of these resolutions be pre-
scented 10 the family of the deceased and that the pro-
ceedings OF this meeting Be published in the newspa
pers Of jefferson county, Virginia, and Washington
county, Maryland.
CHAs- W. BUTToN, Secretary.