The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1861-01-23
UNION MEETING.


Woodsfeld. on Saturday the 10Th day of
January, 1861, at 2 o'clock P. Al. All
parts of the county, aud all parties, were
fully represented, and the house was soon
completely filed e: IS
John W. Okey was appointed Chair
man. aud Warren Hollister Secretary.
Rev. James Henderson being present, Of
fered an appropriate and earnest prayer.
The Chairman, after thanking the, Con-
vention for the honor conferred in calling
him to preside, addressed the Convention
as follows:
l am glad to see so many citizens OF
my native county assembled in convention
Great questions distract the country. We
are in the midst of Revolution. State
after State has passed Ordinances of Sc
cession, Withdrawing from the Union; and
although it may not be admitted that they
are thereby out of the Confederacy. yet
all must admit that the danger of dissolu.
tion is imminent CH
Not one of us, I apprehend, ever be-
lieved that it is iu the power of the citizens
of this county, uEaided, TO stay this Rev
olution for moment. We are far re-
moved from the busy marts; there is not
a large town within our limits, nor one of
great commercial Importance in any ad-
joining county. The Ohio skirts our
eastern border, but our communication
with it is so imperfect, that it is almost
useless to this section; and we have not
within our limits a railroad, canal, turn
pike, nor any important line of travel.
Our immediate interest in the great
question, whether the Union shall be pre-
served. may, therefore, not be equal to that
of more exposed parts of the tounty. Se>
cluded, as we are, our influence in effect,
ing settlement may indeed be small
But we must remember that this question
has an Importance beyond all Others aud
in that question our ultimate interest must
be regarded equal to that Of any oihe-
section. And while in this contest be.
tween law and anarchy, our voice may be
feeble, can any one doubt that We ought to
exert it to our utmost for so great and
glorious a purpose as that of restoring
peace to the country?
1t has been said, know, that by such
a meeting we cannot effect anything. By
apathy like that must the Union fail, if
fail it must. Of course nothing that can
be done here merely--I doubt whether
that will be done elsewhere
can save the country But when lawyer
urges the competency of On item of evi.
dence be does not feel it necessary to in .
sist that it will prove his case; he con-
tents himself with showing that it tends
to prove the matter in issue. So in this
great trial, which must finally be sent to
the country, the question with us ought
not to be. Can we save the Union? but,
Will our efforts tend in any degree to
save il?
1t would be out of place, in these pre-
lminary remarks, to enumerate the steps
which have been taken towards Revolu-
ton, or to speak of the settlement that
ought to be made, or to discuss at length
the effects upon the country, if we fail to
make peaceful settlement. That would
be more appropriate after the coming in
of the report of committee. But |
will not probably address the convention
hereafter. and therefore hope that may
be INDUCED with one or two reflections.
Much has been said about the reudi
ton of fugitive slaves and fugitives from
Justice, slavery in the District of Colum-
bia, and the slave trade. But, plainly,
there is no serious difficulty on these sub
jects. They may be settled, in my opin-
ion, satisfactorily to both sections at any
time. Again, q feeling of insecurity has
been engendered at the South by reason
of the election of Mr. Lincoln. Bat that,
l trust, will disappear when he tells us,
officially, how be, will administer the gov
ernment. The real difficulty is in regard
to slavery in the Territories. The people
of the South are nearly unanimous in the
belief that they are entitled, under the
Constitution, to go with their slaves into
all the Territories, and hold them there
as property. A large majority in the
North, as would appear from the late
election, believe that slavery is the crea
tare of positive law, and that the Consti
tutioa does not lend it any support il
the Territories. Unless we are prepared
to say that there shall be compromist
on that question, n,-unless we are prepared
to say that.ther shall be made between
the two sections fair compromise will
respect to slavery in the Territories, ii
is idle to talk of settlement or of Union
But what ought to be done, or what w
ought to propose or recommend, I will
not embarrass the action of the conysn
tion by attempting to discuss. g 2i
Q Gentlemen, urge upon you to la,
aside. for one day, all party ties. Som
persons present may think that all thes
troubles are brought upon US by the elec
tion of Mr.. Lincoln. Others will attribut
them to the inefficiency or errors of tn
present administration. In neither cas-
can we remedy the evil. Let Us not iu
ouire, to-day. whether our action will b
consistent with the platforms we hav
supported, but what will be for the welfar