Gazette and sentinel., 1860-11-24
The Meeting Last Saturday.

which We gave in an extra un Monday. This
meeting was gotten up With The sole idea that
it would be eminentiy a meeting of the peo-
pie Of this parish, with nothing whatever OF
party in it, assembled for the purpose Of Civ,
ing some form to their sentiments in the pre-
sent i,,sstruuS state Of public affairs, aud TO
unite their 70 crs as cit Gems engaged n a
common cause and sharing a common peril.
IN prescribing some mode Of action necessary
to the present crisis, arising out of the elcc
ton OF a President (by a sectional unanimity
unparaiicjed) upon principles destructive of
our constitutional rights aud the wipins from
our sol an institution Transmitted 10 Us Lv
the blood Of our fathers, and n which is cen
tired oar wealth, our greatest pride aud hottest
associations.
That meeting was entirely a success, if We
predicate our opinion upon tire usual grounds
establishing such fact-lts density and unan,-
nifty. Having originated through the call of
prominent and influential gentlemen, ali oi
whom were antagonist cal in their political
principles previous TO the election, We saw at
that meeting what We expected to see, an
honest aud friendly admIxture Of Douglas
mcn, Bell men and Breckenridge men, al met
together in good faith and harmony, for an ob
ject or an aim in which all were equally inter.
e-ted, aud where all were called upon for such
resolutions as they might deem proper to
submit to the meeting.
While sil political parties were represented
at that meeting. 1t seemed aS If all classes,
trades and professions were equally well rep
resented. Surely, thought We, the expression
Of a meeting thus constituted, will be a pretty
fair evidence Of public sentiment, and that he
or they wouid be bold and faSt,dious indeed
who could find fault with.and drnounce it
Let us See what is that sentiment as set forth
in its preamble and resolutions:
1t cannot be doubted that the election of
Lincoln by a ~fanaticsI majority, is a warning
to the South TO be ready for that 'irrepres>i-
bic conflict" which aims at the destruction
Of all We hold dear, socially and politically.
The first resolution calls for the convcninC
Of the Legislature at this important crisis,
with the view Of calling a Convention Of the
people, to decide upon the cour-e thi- State
shall take.
The secund resolution, in the spirit of
true patriotism. reminds all Of their high du-
ty to forget past political differences, and to
unite together in f~raternsI bonds, for the pro
lection Of Southern rights and honor.
The third resolution holds to a right, with
out which State sovereignty is a nonentity, |
and the people the slaves Of a federal fanati
cal majority such as that which now presents
itself; its latter clause is a duty which the
instincts Of self. preservation alone point to.
The fourth resolution recommends the
adoption Of a symbol which in the Revolution
was an emblem Of our sincerity, our patriot
ism and the justice Of our cause, and one EN-
proper and patriotic to be adopted at
the present juncture.
The fifth recommends what appears to be
an absolute necessity, at least a course which
%counsels would ever approve.
Such was the character and composition of
the meeting Of last Saturday, and such its
setting forth its sentiments and
determinations, in the face of wrongs and ty-
rsnnies which Black Republican power fore.
In the spirit Of that meeting, or in
he sentiment Of those resolutions, We can
see nothing incompatible to the principles Of
he mildest, and nothing that the most impul-
and Jealous for withdrawal or secession
'ould justly disapprove. To be sure, time
nd the closet might have produced a set Of
more conformable TO the rules Of
'betoric; but as far as those resolutions to
which We allude, went, We doubt if any could
more plainly and completely express our sen. {
'ments and the grievances that produced
hem. .
Let US hope then, that the action of last
'aturd"y, OF citizens Of all classes and pre- r
ious political principles, will meet the appro. !
al OF all good citizens, and be the means Of I
reventing the greatest misfortune that could ,
appen to US at the present time-a collision r
I sentiment among ourselves as to the evil :
'reshadowed by Lincoln's election, and the a
,tion demanded of US in the premises. If I
e differ and quarrel among ourselves upon v
'ese material points, then indeed do we open Fl
gulf in which all Of Southern veal, hope, A
'Ppiness and honor will be forever buried! il
Gods name then, in this momentuous cri f.
let US be wise, prudent, and firm-but h
'ove and beyond all else, in hearts and hands,