Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-11-30
Augusta Comfy Union Meeting.

FufSuaHt 70 aujOufHu"Ht, u large nlaetlng OF the
trends of the uSloS in the County Of Augusta, ir-
respective of parties, hel in the Court house,
Monday, November 2Gth, s6o.--Hon ALEX.
II. Il. STUART in the Chair, and JoHs l.. 2gYloN
acting Secretary.
Mr.. Stuart explained to the meeting the mlsaP-
prehension as to his remarks in regard to tho po-
stion Of j. 7. Harris. NJ. c., and mentioned me
RECEIPT Of letter from hr. Harris expressing MS
strong attachment to tho Union
The Committee composed OF the following gen
t'smen, Hon. A. H. II. Stuart. Chalrh-an' Iugh
". Shelley Gen X Harper. COL ;. ~ nala" rds
g. b. Stuart, John l.. Peyton John McCue' JOS
A. Waddell. Robt. Guy, John -. IMP odGh penJ.
Crawford, Geo. NJ. Cochran, Jr, and Col. "eoTge
BAYLOR, appointed at the last meeting 20 'IpJ =.
resolutions to this mceting, presented through L.
w. Sheffey, the following
PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS:
The people of Augusta in gene al meeting assem-
bsd solonlnly impressed with sense OF the dansei
which instantly threatens the existence o. .he 80
eminent and the Union al these states cherlShiIS
"A hereditary LOYALTY to the Constitution OF the y
nted States citizens of common "eaith a!lle:i 10
the South in its domestic institutions, ali9ctio1s
and sympathis but bordering on the NORTH ana
therefore in immediate contiguity to the perI!s
which may follow dissolution of the Union tar
more vitality concerned in the issues OF the CONNECT
between the eontending sections OF the country
than our more Southern brethren can possibly be
"a dseply aggrieved they by the election OF a
sectional President keenly alive they to the
aggressive tendency or the step just taken ny I'll e
North and as firmly resolved they to resist in
fractions Of their constitutional rights vet unwll-
ling to believe the experiment OF Republican GOV
ernment q failure, deem 1t to pc thelf FneSe,
and in view Of the important interests at stake,
their duty speaking to the North as well as to the
South. calmly, but firmly to declare
l. That the Constitution of the United States un-
der the protecting power of which the country has
become so strong at home and respected abroad,
with checks and balances SO wisely adjusted, by
which abuses controlled and grievances are re-
dressed imperfect it may be in some respects
working hardly it may be on some occasions, is
nevertheless the easiest yoke of government free
people bore, and yet the strongest protector
of rights the wisdom of man ever contrived, and SO
long as it continues to secure equality and
rights DIS citizens OF common country "n the fui-
of it's spirit and to the highest extent OF ITS
honest Interpretation" we will stand by aad main
tain it.
2. The Union of these States, still esteemed by
them, as it was Ga years ago, by the "Father of
his Country as the palladium ofthelr political
safety and prosperity-as the main pillar IN tn,
editice of their real independence support OF
their tranquility at hOme--their peace abroad ana
of that very liberty whc.. they go highly nrize,
is, as it has Seen, the object of the unwaver-
ing attachment of the people Of Augusta; ana as
for them and their household they will cling to it
until the stern command Of honor and the convlc-
ton that their rights can no longer be preserved
under it, shall compel them, in sorrow, to let 1t
go!
8. That the right of each State to foi and reg
ulate its own domestic institutions is perfect ana
complete under the Constitution, and that any or
CARNATIONS discussions in other States intended
to impair that right or incte torays upon our Dor
ders for the purpose of disturbing our peace or
robbing of our property, are bagrant wrongs
and breaches Of faith inconsistent with the tram
guilty of the Union.
question whether, Virginia declared in 1873,
should be the case, to justify her in 'nterposing
TO arrest the evir' Of Federal power, there has get
been on the part of the General Government ga
dajherata OaIpahln and 0anuprouS OF
other po,cers not granted by the Federal compact,
and apart eso from the consideration OF the right
in itself and the expediency in other respects OF
State Secession from She Union it is he opinion OF
this meeting that, bordering Virginia does. on
that portion of the Ccnfederacy from which dan
ger to the institution of slavery is threatened, Sc
far as her interests in that Institution concern
ed, secession is no remedy.
s. That synpathiging deeply with their b:ethren
III the extreme Southern States in their sense of
the outrage inflicted the sentiments of the South
BY the election OF Lincoln but having still abb
ding faith if not in the Of justice in the in
teiligent self interest of the American people aud
coriGng in the efficacy of Constitutional means to
protect their rights c6thjn the Union the people of
Augusta, as brothers speaking to brothers, bound
together by the most sacred ties, beseu c the gal
lsAt and patriotic people of the Cotton States
pause and calmly consider the yet unmagined evils
which mast result from dissolution of the Union
and before taking the STEP from which there will be
no rceeding, to unite with Virginia in testing the
efficiency oe remedies provided by the Constitu-
s. That not regarding the mere election of any
citizen to the Presidency in accordance 18th the
Constitution and the laws sufficient cause 70:
hr aking up the government, and therefore IN the
spirit of patriotic forbearanoe, being willing to
yield obedience to the Constitution and to acqui-
in the recent decision eff the Northern people |
with no purpose to threaten intmidate, but
speaking as brave men to brave MEN. appealing TO
their 10y atty to the Constitution and the Union
and to their regard for the peace, concord and con-
tinued happiness of united country the people Of
Augusta. who have been wont in times past as
Washington taught them indignantly to frown
upon the first dswning of every attempt to aiicnate
any portion OF our country from the rest to
feeble the sacred ties hich bind together the va
rous parts,' solennly declare to the people of the
6lageholdlng Sta5cs, that the vexaticus agita-
ton of the subject of slaveri7 in Congress ana in
the Northern communities, the disturbance OF DIR
peace by the dissemination of ncendicty documents
ia the South, the nvasons Of Our rights of procer
ty i'll slaves by cmlssarles sent into our midst to
decoy our slaves from hooias, the disregard by
the Governors and the people Of he -slavehold
ing States of their Constitutional obligations in
spect to the rendition of iugit from service and
from justice, the practical notification By Of
their State Legislatures Of the "Fugitiye Slave
Law" and the organization and triumph of a sec
tonal party, united together BIZ sentiments deem
ed to be hostile to the South whose recent victory
has been heralded by high in its ranks as 'tIe
death blow to slavery. constitute such grievances
outrages the feelings and rights CT the South
will if persisted in, extend over the whole South
the fatal sentiment OF disunon now 90 fearIuly on
the increase and the people Of ugusta convinc-
ed that there can be no permanent Union without
IA strict adherence to the Consultation and last I
enforcement of Federal tive obligation upon the au-
thorties and and people Of the States think they
have right TO asa, respectfully TO urge as |
essential to continued brotherhood between the |
North and the South that the people Of the non |
sayeholdIng States require their public servants
to observe their constitutional ob!io eticns TO the
South to renoye from their statute book the acts
Intended to thwar if not nullify the act Of Con
gress concerning fugitive slaves and that the, in
struct their Representatives shah Instruct our
to keep from tire halls Of Congress that bitter apple
of National discordthe agitatin discussion Of t.
subject of slavery.
7. That we cherish the since-ess sv1lpatl,y end
most fraternal regard for those noble and trua
men in the siaFeholdng States who have bat |
tied SO galiantly against ia ton and naticsn II,
defence of the Constitution OF the country and tie
rights Of the South and that we are INV Cling tn
desert them and that yet hope, with their aid
to beat back the ercmies Of peace and bear a.
lott in trium ph 'not stripe obilterated nor star
cbscured,' the glorious Gag of the Union.
6. That our Senator and Delegates be requested
in the discharge of the responsible duties which
wild soon devove upon them. in the spirit of har-
mony and Cancellation attempted to be expressed |
in these resolves, to bend s their energies to keep
Virginia to her mooriugs .sthe Flag Ship of the
Union, and to induce her, placed as she is between
the North and the extreme South with moderation
forbearance and wisdom by OF her ancient re-
nown TO exert her power and influence to preserve
Oh the one hand, the known and equa rights of her
own people as citizens Of common country, and
the other. the harmnnv nfth a Trn;o N