Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-01-18
JNO. T. WOOTTON,
II. NJ. DREWRY,
ANTHONY NJ. DUPUY,
GEO. HAlRSTON, JG.,
Uoy wv BuLAEp PREsr

II. NJ. DREWRG,
ANTHONY NJ. DUPUY,
GEO HAIRSTON JR.,
Hos. WN BALLARD PREsroN. and others.
Thi. letter did not reach Mr. Preston in time for
written reply On Yesterday however that being Court
day proclamation having been made that public meet
ing would be held in the courthouse large number of
citizens were soon assembled in the court ROOM Mr. T.
among the number.
The IN, etng was organized by calling George Hairs
ton ESQ., the Chair and the appointment of Col. j.
tIiggs Secretary. The object of the meeting
br ty explained by the Chairman, whereupOn, John T.
Wo)uon, Esq. after few remarks in which he alluded
20 tie sectional differences which disturbing the
p OF the country aud porend gloomy future for
he integrity OF the Union Submitted for the consideration
adoption # the meeting the following preamble and
resolutions invoking the special attention of the etng
to their reading;
Where po .rful party has been organized in the
Northern States Jt this Conederacy having believe
for object ultimate abolition of domestic slavery,
IL exists Virginia and the SOuth,-a organization
wi ch .dly menaciug tho integrity Of the Union il
ha, months past disturbed the Teice and tran
guilty OF the slayehOldng States This organization but
few years ago inconsiderable in numbers, has
become the great element Of social and political power in
the North and, it has gradually increased in num-
bcrs has steadily advanced in acts of aggression
against the rights Of the South They have openly and
ayowedly violated the solemn covenants of Union
they have passed laws in plain conrovtnhon OF our con-
stitutonal rghts-they have slandered character,
stolen property and destroyed the lives of cit
zens Nevertheless the people Of Henry are strongly
attached TO the Union and would preserve it, any sacr
ce consistent with the constitutional rights the honor
and equality Of Virginia But think the time has
when Virginia, respected in the North she
renowned throughout the earth is most sOlemuy ad
mOnished as well by her obligations to the Union by
considerations Of duty 10 herself to upon herself
and calmly pause for moment contemplate her
and varied but undevelOped resources and to
solve with inteNbe purpose, at any costs and by every
constitutional means within her power cherish aud de-
veop them We are persuaded that the hour has ar
rived when in every department Of life, private and Off
ca her best energies should be exered to prepare for
emergency for the necessities OF peace well
the demands of war not mererly for recognizing and
armiug her militia and volunteer corps, but for
the promotion of her manufacturing interests
and her commercial independence. ScrupulOusy
observing our social duties and constitutional
obligations to the whole sisterhood Of Safes let US
shape legislation if We forced to-day TO look
Virginia alone for all the blessings and guarantees
erred by civil Government. And should this policy,
with the cooperation of the South fail bring back the
North to sense of her constitutional obligations and
so to preserve the Union SHALL at least be the better
prepared for all the emergencies that may flow from its
ruins.
Eesolrsd therefore That Senator aud Delegate be
earnestly requested TO every safe and constitutional
within their power promote during hepreSent
session of the General Assembly, the commercial nde-
pendence and manufacturing interests OF the State; and,
TO this end that they urge the passage of all laws which,
in their Judgment may be best calculated to encourage
and facilitate direct trade between Europe and the South
ports of this Confederacy and for this purpose that
they recommend 10 the General Assembly the eXpedien
cy Of charteng joint stock company upon the two and
theeffthS principle for ths purchase building aud
fitting out of less than four good class steamships
for the accommodation Of travel aud transportation of
mails and commerce between the Chesapeake Bay and
European ports also all necessary and constitutional
laws divert the trade and commerce flowing from
Virginia 70 the North and to prohibit ia part in whole
the trade running from the North to Virginia. by excise
otherwise; to exempt all capital employed in CON-
merce in Virginia from all unnecessary burdens TO
eye merchants in part in whole from the tax i'm
posed upon them to foster and encourage, by eXemp-
tons and bounties all useful domestic manufactures, n
Guiding those especially for the manufacture OF steam en-
zines and of and munitions of war; and general
w. forihe passage of all laws which may tend TO the
establishment OF domestic manufactures aud to relieve
the CommonWea from her present state ofcommercia
vassaage.
ID Rssolpei That as there can be no foreign trade
without internal resources and in urtherance of the great
object Of achieving the commercial independence OF Nr
gnl and as intimately connected with the foreign trade
which in the foregoing resolution We beg may be stmu-
lated and encouraged that our Senator and Delegate be
requested to use their best efforts to obtain, from the
General Assembly liberal appropriations from the COM
mon treasury for the prosecution extension OF our
leading lines of Internal improvements.
Sd Resolred That the clerk of this meeting be request
ed transmit without deaya copy OF the foregoing pre-
amble and resolutions TO our Senator aud Delegate.
And 4th Resolved That he be also requested to send
a copy of the same to the Richmond Whig Enquirer,
Examiner and Index with the request that they be pub
shed in their respective journals.
Upon the reading of these resolutions MIR. Wootton
observed that he submitted them for vain idle pur
pose-that be duly and sOemnly impressed by the
occasion which had convened the meeting and that his
only purpose was that the voice OF this county might be
heard in the General Assembly and being heard might
in small degree influence the action Of its members
upon the great questions agitang the public mind
Mr. Wootton declined to make speech-he not pre-
pared speak though ready 10 act upon his resolutions
But Mr. W. observed that be was happy to announce