Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-01-30
Union Meeting at Terre Haute.


Union Meeting at Terre Haute.
Pursuant to a call published, an immense num-
Der of the citizens of Vigo county, irrespective
of party, met in the Court-h house in the city OF
Terre Haute, on Saturday, the 18th of January
1861, at one O'Clock, for the purpose of consider
ing the perilous condition of the country.
The meeting was called to order by Dr. Ezra
Read, whereupon Colonel Cookery moved that
the Hon. VIM. h. Edwards act as President, and
Erastus Church, John III. O'Boyle, Andrew Ste
venson and Johu Crews as Vice Presidents, and
the meeting concurred in the motion.
On motion of W. b. KrumbhaT, John b.
Hager, Isaac NJ. Brown and James B. Edmunds
were appointed Secretaries.
The President having explained the object of
the meeting in few eloquent and patriotic re-
marks, the Rev. DIR. Gordon was called upon to
open the meeting with PRAYER, which he did in a
very impressive and satisfactory manner.
On motion OF Col Bowling, the following com
mittee of eleven was appointed by the chair to
report resolutions and business for the meeting.
Col. Thomas Bowling, James Harrington, G F.
Cookery, w. b. Krumbhaar, John p. Baird, III.
ID. Scott, j. b. Otey, j. III. Hager, E. b. Allen,
c. HI. Bailey and Joseph S. Wallace.
During the absence of the committee, at the
call of the meeting eloquent and patriotic speeches
were made by Ex-Governor Hammond, r. N.
Hudson, Esq, Judge John W. Jones and Lucius
Ryce, Esq.
The committee, through Col. Bowling, their
Chairman made the following report, the reading
of which Col. ID. prefaced with appropriate re-
marks, stating that the committee were unani-
nous in recommending the resolutions, &c:
The people of Vigo county without distinction
of party, and utterly rejecting all desire to force
mere party opinions upon the country at this
time, have met together in the spirit of concord
and patriotism, to consider the present alarming
condition of our National affairs, and to make
known their opinions thereon. In view of the
fact that the peace, prosperity and happiness OF
the people are eadangered-the harmony of the
States disturbed-and the continuance of the
Federal Union itself Threatened with dissolution
and, also, in view of the fact that in no part OF
the country have the people deeper and more
lasting interest in the preservation of the Union
than in the Wabash Valley, which has ever
sought market at the South as well as the
North and believing that our people, both from
conviction and duty, desire to maintain friendly
relations with all sections of the country, and tC
preserve the Federal compact in the spirit il
which it was made and established by our Fathers
Therefore,
Resolued, That it is the highest aim and mos
imperative duty of patriotism and philanthropy, t
preserve the Union of the States in all its integ
rity, and maintain the Federal compact in il
spirit; and that in the true and honest sentimen
of fraternal love and justice, well fidelity t.
the National Union, it is demanded that we us'
all honorable means, and exert every riShtiu
power to defeat the purposes of those whose spiri
and acts endanger the one or impair the other.
Resolred, That it is the duty OF all good citzen
of all parties and sections, TO ufge upon Congress
a prompt and liberal settlement OF the questions
which now divide and separate the North and tn
South, and by concession. compromise, and
| tolerant indulgence of every practical interest
give assurance to the complaining States that n,
| wrong is intended to their material interests b,
the present or incoming Administrations; and tina
such amendments should be made to the Fedora
| Constitution as will forever Danish from th
Halls of Congress, and from the political contest
| of this country, the exciting discussions whicl
appertain to African slavery
Resolred, That Indiana has ever been faithful
to the requirements of the Federal Constitution
and we repel, with proper spirit of indignation
the charge that any of our laws have ever bee
framed with the purpose of impeding or nulfyin
any law of Congress, or any enactment made j
pursuance of the Constitution of the Unite
States.
Resoiped That we are warmly attached to tn
Federal Consttution-that we 10 not recognZ
in the diversity of our inst tutions any cause O
conflict between different states; but, on the con
trary, deem the varieties of climate, soil, pro
ductions, domestic institutions, industry, mode
of thought throughout our widely extended coun
try, grounds of a more lasting and perfect Union
and that we regard its dissolution, in whole or j
part, as eminently disastrous to all interest:
and as destructive of civil and religious libert
throughout the world.
Resolred, That we deny the constitutions
right of any State, or any portion of the peopl
thereof, to secede from the Union, and that W
are equally opposed to notification at the Mort
and secession at the South, as vioative of tn
1 Constitution of the United States.
Resolred, That while recognize the pows
and duty of the Federal Government to proteC
the property Of the United States by all consttu
tional means, yet the employment of mlitar
force by the Federal Government to coerce sui
mission of the seeding States, will eventual
plunge the country into civil war, and forevt
prevent the accommodation of the fearful issu
now before the country; we therefore earnestl
entreat, not only the Federal Government, bu
the seeding States. to stay the hand of militar
force till the people of all the States can be hear
! from, and the voice of reason and patriotism sha
take the place of passion, violence, and III
bloody arbitrament of the sword.
Resolved, That il is the prompting of patrio
ism, and the dictate of wisdom, to make an cal
nest attempt to save the Union by concilliatio
} and concession: and, therefore, in the spirit {
compromise, we are willing to accept the amend
ments to the Constitution proposed by the men
bers of Congress from the border States, or an
other fair measure, which shall be satisfactory
the States composing the American Union, b'
leving that mere personal opinions should no
bend to the ruling necessity ofpreserving tf
Government from dissolution.
Resolred That it is the duty of the Legislatul
of every State in the Union which has passe
laws to obstruct embarrass the return of fl
gtive slaves or to set at defiance any laws
Congress on that subject, to Immediately repe
all such laws or enactments, and to e-establis
thereby, fraternal feelings in all sections of ii
J country.
Resolred, That should Congress be unable
agree any just compromise fail for any re lso
to do so, il is the duty of the Legislature, now
session. to provide by law for a Convention of q
people of this State to the end that delegates ma
be appointed to Convention of the bord
States, slave and free, and the position authorit
lively declared. which Indiana shall assume in Il
perilous crisis now upon the country.
RcSolred, That the free navigation of the Mi
sissippi, and the use of it as public highway e
the North west, can never be surrendered. al
that we will do all that c,n be done to leave tn
right for the generations which may follow u
e and be1ueath it to our children the legacy
their fathers. 1t the highway of our father
and it must be that of our sons.
r Resolced, That copy of the foregoing pr
? amble and resolutions be forwarded to our Sen
4 tor and Representatives in the State Legislator
{ and also TO our Senators and Representatives
q Congress, and that they be requested to prese
S the same to the bodies of which they are mel
a bers, and advocate the plan of adjustment here
proposed.
e Pending the adoption of the resolutions, CO
= ciliatory and eloquent speeches were made
{ Col Cookery, Hon. II. ID. Scott VIM. Mac
q Esn and John p Baird ESQ