Squatter sovereign., 1855-08-07
Great Mass Meeting in Atehisoa.

| Owing to the excitement caused by the
actions of one J. w. B. Kelly, an avowed
abolitionist. aid to some of his expressions
which were made publicly on our streets,
and which nearly resulted In his death, a
meeting of the citizens of Atchison and
vicinity was called to endorse the ac-
ton of Mr.. Grafton Thomason, who gave
him one of the severest castigations ever
inflicted on human being.
Ten o'clock being the hour appointed
for the meeting, and vast eoneourse of
people assembled,
On motion OF Robert S. Kelley. Doctor
Dudley McVay was called to the chair.
On motion of Ira Norris, Robert S. Kel-
ley was elected Secretary.
n. j. Ireland, Esq. being called upon,
in an appropriate and explicit speech, sta
ted the objec,s of the meeting. The speak
er went over the actions of this abolition
cuiprit, and referred to the many instances
In which he has been heard to cast re-
proach upon the institution of slavery, and
the uttering of sentiments which were dan
gerous to be allowed to be uttered in
slave State. He also referred TO the cas-.
tigation administered to him by Mr.. Thorn.
ason, OF whom, as stakeholder, he had
been making uncalIed for and unjust re-
marks.
al.
sisting of Robert S. Kelley, Albert G.
Smith, and ". B. Brocket, were appointed
by the chair to draft resolutions expressive
of the sense of the meeting.
The committee, after retiring few min
utes, returned, and through the chairman,
reported the following resolutions, which
wese adopted unanimously.
WHEREAS. by recent occurrences it is
now known there are among us agents of the
Underground Railroad for the express pur.
pose of abducting our slaves, and whereas
one ]. w. B. Kelly, bailing from some in
fernal abolition den, has both by words and
acts proved himselfa worthy representative
of such an association, and whereas others
IN the vicinity, whose idle habits and appa.
rent plenty of money induce us to believe
that they are hirelings of some such infam.
ous society, believing 1t due. not only to our
selves, but the adjoining portion of Mis-.
souri,, to rid ourselves of so great an evil,
and for the furtherance of this end do
Resofre. 1st, That one ]. w. B. Kelly
hailing from Cincinnati. having unon sun
dry occasions denounced our institutions.
and declared all pro-slaverv men ruffians.
we deem it an act of kindness to rid him
of such company, and hereby command
him to leave the town of Atchison one hour
after being informed of the passage of this
never more to show himself in /
his vicinity.
Resolusd Cd. That in case he fails to |
ohev this reasonable comma md, we infiict !
lpon him such punishment as the nature of
he case and circumstances may require.
Resolred Sd. That other emissaries of
his Is Aid Society" who are now in our
midst tampering with our slaves are warn
ID to leave, else they. too, will meet the /
Guard which their nefarious designs so
ustly merit-henp.
Resotred 4th. That we approve and ap-
'laud our fellow-townsman, Grafton Thom-
son. for the castigation administered to
aid j. w. p. Kelly, whose presence among
IS is libel upon our good standing and a
isgrace to the community.
Resotred 5th. That we have commenced |
he good work Of purging our town of all |
esidents abolitionists. and after cleansing
ur towns of such nuisances shall do the
anne for the settlers on Walnut and
creeks, whose propensities
or cattle stealing are well known to MANY.
Rcso'ref 9th. That the chairman appoint
committee of three TO wait upon said
Kelly, and acquaint him with the action of
his meeting.
Resolred 9TH. That the proceedings of
his meeting be published, that the world
lay know our determination.
On motion of R. S. Kelley, ESQ.,, the
hair appointed appointed committee of
nree. with Grafton Thomason, ESQ.,, as
hairman, in compliance with the sixtf, res.
luton, to notify said ]. w. B. Kelly, of
Cincinnati. the desire of this meeting.
On motion of Mr.. John Bennett. John
I. Blassingame and g. T. Challis were
elected TO complete this committee.
On motion of Mr.. Henry Addoms. cop-
s of the resolutions above, and the pro-
sedings Of this meeting were ordered to
. made out, and committee of three be
.Quested TO circulate them a,,,;.b .eI