American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-03-21

DA~pANs, INV " alhSEsUuTS Oh w Gu
nesday the 4th inst, for the purpose
of nominating a candidate to represent
the district in the next Congress ofth
United States. On motion the Cor
vention was temporarily organized by
calling Daniel Paisley, Esq. ofMason,
to the chair, and appointing J. w. Da-
Wis, OF Wood, Secretary.
On motion of General jackson, who
stated that many Of the delegates had
not yet arrived, the convention adiour-
ned until next day, at 10 o'clock, A.
NJ,
According to adjournment, the con-
vention met at 10 o'clock A. M. and
organized permanently by appointing
Daniel Paisley, of Mason, President,
and Lewis Wetzel Of Mason Secretary.
Delegates from the counties report
ed themselves, and were admitted to
seats in the Convention. ,5qs.l sr NJ.
Gen. j. j. Jackson offered series
of resolutions and advocated their a
doption in an eloquent and forcible adj
dress, whereupon, on motion of Nehe-
miah Smith, of Jackson, committee
of one from each county represented,
was appointed, to whom the resolutions
were referred. ........ ...'.....
Onmotion the Convention adjourned
until 2 o'clock, P. M. sa .a
Thursday, 2 o'clock P. M.
The Convention met pursuant to adj
journmcnt.. The committee on resolu-
tons submitted the following, which
were adopted unanimously: /, s.....
LIST, Resolred, That the public lands
held by the United States, belong in
common to all the States, and that
each and all are entitled to participate
in the benefits dcrivablc therefrom.
I'd. That it is amongs the most sol
emn duties devolvcd on the Congress
of the United States, faithfully and
bona fde to dispose of the public lands
in such manner as will equally cnurc
to the benefit of all the States, which
may now be, OF hereafter become mem
bers of the confederacy. uaaana ~a E
B. That the lands which were coded
by the several States to the United
States, were coded in trust, for the
common benefit Of all the States, and
that this Convention doth express its
earnest conviction that the speedy a.
doption by Congress of some suitable
measure FOR the division of said lands
or the distribution of the nett proceeds
of the sales thereof, among the sever.
al States, is demanded alike by just
regard to the solemn duties imposed
upon them by the trust, due regard
to the just interests Of all the States,
andThe soundest principles of public
policy. . ''''. "". .'aF, .19..
4th. That the lands acquired by the
United States by purchase are held in
trust for the benefit of all the States,
and that they should be disposed of as
indicated by the last resolution. tIrHtr
5th. That in the opinion of this con-
vention, the giving away of the public
domain to portion Of the States, or
to citizens or corporations therein, for
any purpose whatever, without making
corresponding appropriations to all the
States, is violation Of the trust repo-
sed in Congrcss-is unjust-uncqual
to the States not participating, and
therefore a gross perverson of sa-
cred compact, and affords just ground
Of complaint to such participant
States. g..a. ......, .,.... ~ ........
9th. That the unequal disposition of
the public lands is the true cause of the
decline in the prosperity Of our State,
by draining her Of her population and
wcalth-holding out as it does, to her
cnterprising young men the superior
advantages Of country, where land Of
the best quality can be had by squat
ting, exempt from taxes, and with the
assurances of the fact, that Congress
will give them the public domain to
educate their children, build their roads
, and erect their churches, thereby ex.
empting them from the onerous bur.
dens that Cypress them at home.
7th, That We believe that in view of
the financial condition of Virginia, bur-
dcncd as she now is with the largest
debt and heaviest taxation known in
her history-the day has come when
an earnest appeal should be made to
the considerate Of all parties to lay a.
side party names and objects, and con-
centrate the energies of the State to
secure her full share in the benefits to
which she is justly entitled, in the pro-
ceeds of the public lands.
9th. That We submit to the consid-
Grafton Of the people Of Virginia, the
propricty Of holding a convention in
the first week in May, to be composed
Of all parties, to consider the measures
best to be adopted to carry out the
foregoing resolutions. TX .
9th. That we urgently recommend
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