Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-12-28
Public Meeting in Northumberland.


At an adjourned meeting of the citizens of Nor
thumberand county, irrespective Of party, held at
the Court House of said county, on Monday the
10th day Of December, 1860
On motion Of Col. laybrook, 1.-THE Chairman
of the former meeting being absent) cambridge
Cox, esq, called to the Chair, and Thomas !.
Eford, appointed Secretary.
The committec-Wiiam p. Booth, Samuel l..
Shanyhan, Richard A. Clay brook John P Pitts
burg, Oscar Blackwell, Samuel P. Burgess, Cyrus
Harding and Edwin Breny-appointed at the last
meeting to report TO this meeting resolutions ex-
pressve OF tGe sentiments of the people, in refer
ence to the political affairs Of the country, through
their chairman, William P. Booth, offered the fol-
lowing resolutions, to Wit:
Resolved, That in the late election Of Abraham
Lincoln to the Presidency Of the United States, va
recognize the crownng act of hostility the par!
OF, what must now DO termed, dominant sectional
party, which, with overt acts heretofore commit
ted, exhibits persistent purpose to continue
warfare against the South, until the rights and
privileges OF her people are sacrificed, and they
shall be involved i'll social and political ruin.
Resolved, That whilst the recent success of tho
Black Republican party has awakened sentiments
of entire distrust of the Northern people, and We
have no confidence that the Federal Government,
administered by that party, will be ready and willing
to afford prompt and adequate protection to all
our rights Of persons and property guaranteed aud
secured to us by the Constitution of the United
States, thereby giving us sense of security moro
valuable even than the right Of property; and
whilst VIC regard with adherence all previous acts
Of aggrcssion-Inany of which have been commit
ted under circumstances of insult, outrage and
cruelty yet we are willing to see every pcaceful
remedy, consistent with honor, exhausted to pre-
what might still be called our glorious Union;
If it could he regarded iii the North with sen,~
ments Ut fidelity and feelings of patriotism and
attachment.
Resolved, That in the propriety Of
the call and assembluge Of State Convention u.
early a day rs practicable, aad We think that
sucha convention should employ its mediation and
influence in favor Of convention Of all tho
States, with or without prior Southern confer
ence, may be deemed best) to assemble for purpo-
ses OF deibcration, With view solely to future
quiet and rcpoSc and perpetual safety II such
course should result in failure then, we think the
only alternative is secession, and hearty concur
renee in the formation Of Southern Coniederacy
But,
Resolved, That while VIC entertain these senti-
ments, we recognize the right Of each State "
act for herself and if, under existing circnmstau-
ces, any one shall Immediately secede, conceive
she has perfect RICH to do so, and there is no
power of coercion in tae Federal Government or
otherwise and if there should be an attempt to
reduce her by force we think that Virginia, III her
sovereign capacity, should resist 1t, and ~
make common cause with such State.
Messrs. Hall, of Lancaster county, W. W. Wal
ker, aul Hon. Wilieughby Newton, of Westmore-
land county, being present, were called on to e1-
press their views on the foregoing resolutions
Messrs. Hall and Clay brooli sustained the resolu-
tons in eloquent and allie speeches, and Messrs.
Newton and Walker opposed them in thrilling
speeches. The most intense interest in the pro-
ceedingS was manifested. Mr.. Ball moved 10
strike out the third resolution relative to the call
Of a National Convention, and after some discus
sion the motion was lost. He was in favor Of q
Southern Convention, composed entirely of South
ern States, and alluded South Carolina in
most thrilling and telling speech. The vote being
taken on the resolution az reported by the commit
tee, adopted by very large majority. Good
feeling and great unanimity of sentiment pre-
vailed.
On m ton, it
Resolved, That the proceedings Of this meeting
be published in the Richmond Enquirer Exami-
ner and Wing, with request that the Alexandria,
Petersburg, Lynchburg and Norfolk papers will
please copy
On motion, the meeting adjourned.
cambridge COX, Chairman.
7. J. EFFoRD, Secretary