Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1860-01-04
@ailg Sir9iaiau.
Meeting in Washington.

county without respect 10 party held at the Court
House, on Monday tho Goth day Of December,
1859.
On motion Of Col J. IT, Ernest. Chas. =. Be-
KEN, Esq, was called to the Chair, and q. X. Barr
Of the Vrginian mud II. W. Bakcr, of the Dom
ocrat, were appointed Secretaries.
Upon taking the Chair, Mr.. Bekem stated tho
obi ect Of the meeting to be, togive public express
sion of tho sentiments Of our county in regard to
the recent event. at lIarpers Ferry, aud to adopt
such action as may be deemed promotive ot our
future peace and welfare.
On motion, u Committee was ordered to be ap-
pointed by the Chair, for the purpose of drafting
u preamble and resolutions to be submitted to tho
consideration OF the meeting. whereupon the toll
lowing gentlemen were named Walter Preston.
ESQ. Col. Ahram Monglc, Col. John A. Camp
he'll John Esk,n. Esq, Col. A. c. Cummings,
WIN. w. Blncktord Col. j. IL. Earnest. A, Davis,
Esq. Col JAS. I. Preston, VIM e. Ednundson,
md Robert kcys, Jr.
As soon as the Committee hnd retired. call
was made by the meeting for Thomns u. Preston,
ESQ, who nj once rose and delivered II NEST beau
,iiul mud effective spocoh, which wns frequently
interrupted by the applause Of all present.
Tho Committee having returned. Mr. L. gave
way, aud its Chairman, Wnltcr Preston. Esq.
after few brief and pertinent remarks, submitted
the following preamble and resolutions
Whereas, the soil of Virginia has bcen recently
invaded by party OF Aboitionists, whose objects
and aims. as unbushingly avowcd by their lea
der, were to rob US If uur property, destroy our
domestic peace. incitc our slaves 10 insurrection.
arm them for our destruction, and. rs u sonsc'
quenc. to bring upon us nll tho horrors of n SER
vile war; and in the effort to accomplish their pur-
poses. they actually committed murder upon
peaceful citizens and treason ngainst tho govern
ment Of this Commonwealth, for the commission
of which crimes. tho leader, and others OF them,
who hive boon hiod. have suffered death as u
righteous penalty. And. whereas, il is expedient
from facts elicited upon tho trial Of these miscre.
ants, that many prominent and influential citizens
OF tho non -snveholding Stntes wore cognlxant OF
the cxisianco of this conspiracy, and by their
counsel and material aid, encouraged and sup
ported the perpetrators thereof. And, whereas,
the people Of this part Of our oonIederacy, 50 far
from rising mt once in thcir might to rebuke and
qucl in the bold and fearless spirt OF true pn-
trutism, and incorporating love Tor this gori-
Gus Union and MI iis innumerable blessings, tho
foil spirit that prom pted the actors in those out
rnges nnd crimes. did, ON tho contrary. with COM.
phIniiyely lew exceptions, remain unmoyed by
this lawe and ominous attack upon the rights
guaranteed to us under the Constitution, save
only IL give utternnce to their profouniest sym
pathies for those engaged in transactions 40 afro
cious and reasonable. And, whereas, II is man
icst from all this and from the further iact, that
ven many members Of Congress from tho North
have endorsed and aided in the circulation ol in
cendnry publications.. that there exists q deep
and abiding lntred On the part Of our Northern
neiChb,rs towards tho South and her institutions,
that leaves us IL hope for our safety and re-
curity, except in firm reliance upon our own
energies and courage, and prompt, decided and
eh 'ent action defence OF our lights therefore,
be it
Rcsoired That we, the people of Washington
county. appreciate the value oi this Union and
the Dressings it dlspcnses; nor could any but tho
wcightest reasons gain our consent to its dissolu-
ton. In tho past IL has been tho beacon light to
our prosperiiy--in the future we would have il
the sheet anchor of hope; yet there arc rights
b,longing to us under this Union which cannot
lie invaded with mpunty; hence wo deeply do
plure these manifestations of Northern fnnaticism
and sectional hatred. AMI arc filled with indigna-
ton in contemplating tho results to which they
must inevitably lead unless speedily and effective.
ly checked and driven from the land by the upris-
ing of purcr patriotism nnd more enlightened
useryntism.
Resolved. That we hail with delight the more
recent Manifestations Of fraternal affection and
attachment to tho Constitution and the Union, as
exhibited by the conservative portion Of our peo-
pie North. and would ain greet them M the har-
bingcr of returning pence and true devotion to
common country; yet we would not be deceived;
tho times demand prompt practical. unmistakea-
he action on the part Of there people; wedcmand
the acknowledgment, and observance, and enforce
ment of all our rights Of person and property un.
dor the Constitution and laws of the IT, States, and
nothug less will satisfy us.
Resoiped, That, as our peaco and security hore-
tofnre havo been disregarded and there ia no GER
tanty for the future that our rights will DO res
pected, We would respectfully, hut urgently insist
upon our Legislature, now in session, to use all
possible dispatch in reorganzing in the best and
most efficient manner the militia, and arming the
volunteers Ofthe State.
'k.k latin .,,~
in our opinion, the non-intercourse policy is the
best to pursue towards the Abolition States, and
we will cooperate in such measures may be
deemed best TO inaugurate most fully this policy
throughout the Commonwealth.
Resolved. That direct trade between Virgin
in and foreign ports. upon fixed basis, is an OBJ
ect worthy the special attention of our Legisa-
ture. and. we earnestly hope that such aid may
be extended to this enterprise as to secure its cs-
tabshmont.
Resolced, That his Excelency. Gov ii. A. Wise
by his chivalrous conduct. his decided action and
prompt management rs displayed in the discharge
of his duties and execution ofthe laws Of this Com
wealth under the IN ,st trying circumstances
has challenged our admiration, and deserves the
appreciation of all lovers of good order
Resolved, That it is expedcnt that three COM
pancs of volunteers be raised in this county
one in the bounds of each regiment.
Resoired, That the papers in Abingdon, Lynch
burg and Richmond, be requested to copy these
proceedings,
Before n vote was taken calls were successfully
made upon Jos.'T. Campbell, Esq. Judge 3. N.
Fulkerson, Col. John A. Campbell, Col j. IL.
Earnest md Hon. G. W. Hopkins which were
sever.y responded to by short but striking appeals
to tho patriotism of the county. Each gentl emau
was heartily applauded by the meeting and their
sentiments fully endorsed.
The Chairman then put the preamble and reso-
lnions to vote. and they were adopted without o
dissenting voice. Whercupon, the meeting ad-