Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-01-02

~ meeting Of the citizens Of Washington coanty.
without respect to party, held at the Court House,
Monday the 2G,h day of December, 1882
On motion of Col. J. H. Ernest, Chas. 5. Bekem. Esq,
called to the Chair and &. r. Barr Of the Virgin
an and II. W Baker, of the Democrat, appointed
Secretaries.
Upon taking the Chair. Mr.. Bekem stated the object
Of the meeting to be- to give public expression Of the
sentiments of county in regard to the recent events
at Harpers Ferry and to adopt such action may be
deemed promotiye of our future peace and welfare.
On motion, Committee was ordered TO DC appointed
10y the Chair for the purposes Of drafting preamble
and resolutions be submitted the consideration of
the meeting, whereupon the following gentlemen
named Walter Preston, Esq Col Abram Mongle, Col.
John 4. Campbell John Etkn, ESQ, Col. A. q. Cum
mngs, Geo. v Lchfeld, Sr., JOS I. Campbell, Esq,
VIM ". Blackiord. Col. j. H. Earnest, a. Davis Esq,
Col Jas. e Preston, VIM. C. Elmondson, and Robert
Keys, Jr.
As soon as the Committee had retired call was made
by the meeting for Thomas L. Preston, Esq, who at
and delivered most beautiful and effective speech,
which frequently interrupted by the applause Of all
present.
The Committee having returned Mr.. p. gave way aud
It's Chairman Walter Preston, Esq, after few brief and
pertinent remarks submitted the following preamble and
resolutions:
Whereas, the soil of Virginia has been recently inya-
ded bya party OF armed A6oIitouists whose objects and
aims as unbiushngly avoHed by their leader were to
rob Of our property, destroy domestic peace in
cite our slaves to instruction, arm them for des
u
horrors of servc war; and in the effort to accomplish
their purposes they actually committed murder upon
peaceful citizens aud treason against government Of
this Commonwealth, for tue commission of which crimes
the leader aud others Of them, who have been tried,
have suffered death as "a righteous penalty. And where
as it is evident from facts elected upon the trial Of
these miscreants, that many prominent and nAuen-
till citizens Of tue nOn-slayeholdng States were
cognizant of the existence of this conspiracy, and
by their counsel and material aid, encouraged and sup
ported the perpetrators thereof And whereas the peo-
pe of this part of COniedeaCy, far from rising at
once in their might rebuke and que in the bold and
fearless spirit of patriotism and upcompromisng
love for this glorious Union and all its nnumcrable bless
ugs the fell spirit that prompe1 the actors in these out
RACES and crimes, did on the contrary, with comparative
v few exceptions remain unmOycd by this awless and
ominous attack upon the rights guaranteed us under
the Constitution save oay to give uterance to their pro-
ouudest sympathes FOR those engaged in transactions
atrocouS and treasolabe. And whereas il is manifest
from all this and from the further fact that even many
members OF Congress from the North have endorsed and
aide in the circulation OF iuceudary publications.
there exists deep and abiding hatred the part of our
Northern ueighbOrs towards the South and her nstitn-
tons that leaves hope for safety and
curity except in firm reliance upon energies
and courage and prompt, decided and efficient action in
defence of our rights therefore, be it
Reso'rei That We, the people OF Washington county,
appreciate the value of this Union and the blessings it
Gi~pcus,s nor could any but the wcghtiest reasons
cain our consent It's dissolution In the past il has
been the beacon light TO our prOspery-in the future
we would have tue sheet anchor OF hope vet there
are rights belonging under this Union which
not be invaded with impuny hence deeply depOre
these manifestations OF Northern anatcism and sectional
hatred and are filled with indignation in contemplating
the results 10 which they must inevitably lead unless
speedily and effectively checked ard driven from the
land by the uprising Of purer patriotism and more
enlightened conservatism.
Resored That we hail with delight the more recent
manifestations of traterna affection and attachment TO
the Constitution and the Union, rs exhibited by the con
servatve portion OF Northern people and would u
greet them the harJugcr Of returning peace and true
devotion to q common country; vet We would not be de-
cyed; the times demand prompt practical, unmisiake
able action the part OF these people, demand the
acknowledgement and observance, aud enforcement OF
all our rights OF person and property under the COnstitu
ton aud laws OF The United States, and nothing less will
satisfy rs.
Rssoirei That, our peace and security heretofore
have been dsregarded and there certainty for the
future that our rights will be respected would
spectfuly but urgently insist upon Our Legislature
in session. TO al possible dispatch in recognizing in
the best and most effective manner the militia and arm
ing the volunteers of the State.
Eevo'r,E That under existing circumstances in our
opinion the nouucrcoursc policy Is the best TO pursue
towards the Abolition States and will cooperate in
such measures as may be deemed best 20 naugurate NEST
FULLY this policy throughout The Commonwealth.
Es,oitt{ That direct trade between Virginia aud
foreign ports, upon fixed basis D. an object worthy the
special attention OF our Legislature; and earnestly
nope thai such aid may be extended 10 this enterprise
90 secure it, establishment
Re,9Irg} That bis EyceIcnry GOV. Henry 4. Wise
by hi, chyarou conduct his decided action aud prompt
management displayed iu the discharge of his dutic
and the execution of the laws OF this Commonwealth
Jtr the most irving circumstances has challenged our
admiration and deserves Tie appreciation of AL lovers Of
good order
R,oisd That it is evpelent that three companies of
volunteers De- raised 100 ui, couuy-oue in the bounds
ul each regiment
Eso'e,L That the plpers IN Abingdon Lynchburg
and Richmond, bee requested 90 copy these proceedings
Before a taken, c.li were succes,ively made
upon Jos T. Campbell Esq, Judges. y. Fulkerson Col.
John A. Campbell Col. j. H. E,rnes' and Hon C. ".
Hopkins. which were seveJy pOuded 10 by short but
STIRRING Appeals to the patriotism Of the county. Each
Gentleman was heartily apphuiei BY the meeting, and
h..- sentiments folly endorsed.
Tine Chairman then pa; tbe preamble and resolutions
TO vote and they were adopted without q dissenting
yoic, Nhereupon, the meeting adjourned.
CHARLES ) BEkEM Chm.
C.. r. BARR, tS.,,r,
II. vs.. EAEEE,
p.. d.. Tr.tt.y y-.ss d.. Oh