Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-01-10
For the Standard.
q.
UNION MEETING IN GRANVILLE

| of the people of Granville assembled at the Court
House IN Oxford on Saturday the 29th December
1860, when the following proceedings were had.
On motion Rev. Benz B. Hester called to the
| Chair, and Willis II. Jenkins and j. w. Hays were
requested to act as Secretaries.
On motion the following gentlemen were appoint
ed committee to draft and report resolutions for
the meeting, Willis Fl. Jenkins, John Nance, w. R.
| Gooch R. B. Gillian and Jas. S. Ams.
During the retirement of the Committee John G.
Taylor, Esq, addressed the meeting, with much
eloquence and when he repeated the we'll known
poem "Woodman spare that tree" in alluson to
the Constitution, the attention of all and the
mostened eyes of many evinced the effect it pro-
duced.
When Mr.. Taylor had concluded, DR.. Willis Lewis
rose and offered series of resolutions which on
motion were referred to the Committee
R. W. Lasster, ESQ.,, then addressed the meeting
with much feeling and effect
The Committee having returned now reported
| through Mr.. Amis the following resolutions
At a meeting of portion of the people of the
County of Granville convened and held at the Court
House in the town Of Oxford on the 29th of Decem-
ber 1860, the following resolutions were adopted
Believing 1t to be cmlnently desirable that in the
present crisis of our national affairs there should
| be general public expression of the views and
wishes of the people of North Carolina touching
the same, do adopt and publish as an expression
and opinion in relation thereto the following res
| outonS to wit:
ReSolred, That we have ever cherished and still
retain, sincere attachment to the Constitution and
| the Union of these States; and we do earnestly
desire the continuance of the same as long as may
be consistently with the maintenance of our honor
and our just rights and that will oppose any
ton having for its object dissolution of the Union
until every constitutional mode OF redress has been
fairly tried and fully exhausted and we shall have
become satisfied that rights cannot be protected
therein.
Res0tced, That would not have it supposed
for a moment, because we thus speak, that we are
less sensible than others of the wrongs and in
dignities which we of the South have experienced
at the hands Of the Republicans of the North nor
that we are less sterny resolved upon resistance
and redress at whatever cost sacrifice
ReSOLred That in our humble Judgment, the
Southern people by laying aside their ola party differ
ences and animosities and acting together, could,
with the aid of their numerous friends in the North
ern States, have found at the ballot-box, in the
Union and under the Constitution, ample remedy
for the grievances of which they complain and that
a resort to secession and disunon, as of OBJ
tanning indemnity for the past and security for the
future" unwise as it was unnecessary.
Resolred, That as by the secession movement of
some Of the Southern States, the mode of redress
by the balotbOX has been rendered very prccarious
if not wholly Inefectual-t becomes the people of
North Carolina to consider what under exist
ing circumstances, State in view of her own in
terests ought to pursue either by way Of separate
action, or oy conference, and in conjunction with
other Southern States
Resolred, That upon this question, all we pre-
pared at present to suggest is that convention be
called in accordance with the provisions of the
constitution of NorthCarolina to consider the mat
ter, and to determine upon and advise what is best
10 be done; giving the public reasonable time for
elaboration between the calling of the same and the
election, but no act or determination of such con-
vention ought to be of any binding force effect
unless and until ratified by the people of the State
ought any steps to be taken at present. looking
to a withdrawal from, ACKNOWLEDGMENT of the
Union, without the concert and cooperation Of the
other Southern States at all events ofthe border
States whose interests will be deeply affected
thereby, than those of any others.
Resolred, That measures ought to be forthwith
adopted by the Legislature for placing the militia
of the State upon footing of the most thorough
efficiency.
ResoIred That we cordially approve of the re-
commentator of the President of the United States
to observe the 4th day of January next, day of
fasting, humiliation, and prayer to Almighty God
for His mercifu lnterpoSition deliver from the
perils which environ us.
After reading the resolutions Mr. Amis also read
the following letter addressed to the chairman of the
meeting by the citizens of the town of Wiiamsboro'
and vicinity, which was received with enthusiasm,
and ordered to be published.
WILLIAMSBURG, n c., Dec. 81 1860
Hr. Chairman :-Sir,-Sceing call for Con-
StitutiOnal Union Meeting to be held in Oxford on
the 29th inst, and believing it to be move IN the
right way, and it being also out of power to at
tend on that day, yet in view of the Importance OF
such meeting and the crisis which we all feel and
see is upon us-we not willing to remain silent;
but wish to add our names and influence to promote
and advance the cause of our country-Its Union
its Constitution and its flag We therefore beg
leave to suggest that in opinion, separate action
and secession should be arrested if possible That
the interest and destiny of all the Slave-hodlng
States is the same and that there should be consul
tation and unity of action between them. And that
those States which will not consult with us do not
deserve our condoence-and that ours is the best
government any people have every enjoyed, we
would get our rights in the Union and under the
Constitution five can, as We believe we can ifnot,
out of it. if must in which event unity of action
will be the greatest safeguard against bloodshed and
civil war; which we trust God in his great goodness
and mercy may avert Further are constrained
to say, that while we have grievances we would
have corrected the crisis has been brought upon us
by the wicked Vaccinations of designing men and
demagogucs and that it is our duty as citizens and
patriots to hold them to true and just accountable
ity for the evils we now suffer- [Signed by 20
persons.
Mr. G. S. B. Harris then arose and introduced |
series of resolutions which he regarded as better ex
pressing the sentiments of his community, and
which he urged in some appropriate and torcible
remarks After some debate, the resolutions from
the Committee and those by Mr. Harris were re-read,
and it being observed that there was no material
difference between them, SO far as any action was
contemplated in either the question was called upon
the latter resolutions when they were rejected by an
almost unanimous vote.
Hon. r. B. Gillian addressed the meeting, reason
ing ably and coquently, in behalf of the Consti- |
tuition and the Union
Thomas B. Lyon, Esq, and Col. R, j. Mitchell,
each addressed the meeting ard took grounds against
the coercion of a seeding State.
Col. L. c. Edwards delivered an address replete |
with patriotic enthusiasm, boldly denouncing all
traitors in whatever section of the country they may
be found. ~