Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1861-01-10
wooD END, Dec, 81. ls60

OI
Tasie Eiitor Of he "Spirf ofJ,Ssrson''
-siR: la commenting on the proceedings
OF the meeting, held at the Court House. on
Monday the l7th Uf December, in your paper.
Of last week, you use the following nguaxe
There seeias TO have been a misunder.
standing as 10 the precise character of the
resolution adopted, the ofie al proceedings
representing It As being attended with the
amendment Of DIR. Alexander, that the action
OF State Convention should be submitted
to the people. We did not 80 understand
the vote. aud We learn from good authority
aud from those who had the best oppor,,,ni.
ties IRON their nearness 10 the chairman of
hearing what was said aud done. that sueh
was not the ehararter OF the proposition yo-
ted upon. and that the vote Mas slmply unan
Mr. hunters resolution. offered as a sub.ti.
tnte for the preamble and resolutions. Thi,
much Il necessary 10 a correct statement
and We think II u eorrect-of the real nm.
ceedines OF the meeting We believe IL was
the universal sentiment Of the meeting, that
in ordinary times, the action Of Couyeatiop
should be submitted TO a vote of the people.
bni In the present crisis, il ~as doubted
whether more prompt and efficient action
would not be required In the midst of rev.
olutioa, Il was feared that a reference of
thesa questions might involve a delay which
would prove disastrous to FirginiA's interest
and disaru her ot the power TO accomplish
amy thing towafds reconciliation"
As Chairman Of that meeting | deem IL
duty owe 70 the citizens of toe Coanty. not
10 permit the action OF that meeting Ia be so
mssconstTnod, a. 10 lead the public TO believe
we are disunionists, without inierposing my
voiee TO preventit. The people Ofthis Coun-
", BY a large majority, are IN favor Of the
Union, provided our rights are guaranteed To
Us, Geyond the reach OF Congressional inter
sVeaiiOn. And they aFc disposed u use every
effort - accomplish 50 desirable result. be-
fore proceeding % rash aud hasly ler,sl.t,sa.
Alter such efforts shall have failed, and the
North wall not consent to accord 10 Us a full
aud unqualified recognition of all our right.
wc vail be, unanimously ia favor Of secession.
or revolution. II yon 80 prefer to call IT, We
further agree, that the question shall not be
postponed, but that Il must be settied nov
aud forever The resolution adopted by the
meeting, WH the resolution sobmitted by Mr.
Hunter, with Dr. A!exander's amendment,
shd | 80 declared IL ~ the meeting. 1 aever
heard NATL after the meeting, thai Mr. Han.
ter dad not accept DR. Alexanders amend.
ment never once beloved, that Mr.. Han.
ter, or any ono else. objected to submitting
the action Of the Conventions 20 the PEOPLE
for their ratification OF rejection. and aid no,
suppose that part Of IN reaolatiou would BE-
made point which might subject the meot-
ing % any variance or diversity of opininn.-
regret 70 6ud ia that, wss mistaken, and
that We have sone aHopg 1s, who are deter.
mlned the people shall not be Consulted in
this matter, bat that they shall submit TO
secession, or Ia other words revolution. with
out their sanction or consent
am somewhat pleased 70 End that these
goutlemep have nioo.od the question at this
uns, as il sill eR.bic Us 10 ascertain the views
of the candidates for members Of The Con.
yeuliou, prior ~ the eleetion. You further
Ay, that in the present crisis more prompt
and efhcieHt action v0ald be fequircd. -
Upon tbs Pyiai, beg, widely to diier Eith
I you, and ] dare any ozBdidass ~ av0w such
sendmcuts and opinions bsfore the people
and you will had that the people vii NOS
consent q b. disffsuehiseds BY any InaH or
body of men, Withont their sanction ard /
Z WiiI guarantee that this eouuty Will send no
nish % that CooveatfUn, who desires % aeprive
1 them u 70 great aad inalisnabis nRht--as
! " decide iof ihem, shat courss they shall
T. sdop, ~ erisis % threatening, aad uhieh
may pre1r % them - DISASTROUS
/ have 4esg issght " heIieys that aver.
/ eien power is the inaienable Heht Of the
ubole people, d each snd every eommunity
/ and thai this right iny6tres duty snd re-
[ seonubiliiy existing iu the people sIoae. 20
I preserve u uuimpslrod 20 themselves. and
7 their postgriiy. v k~nevef shst fight II vsst-
"a ~ cog man o. b0dy of msn ave. snd en
csp, the shsie peopis, ths sxsrei.s ~ tbss
ssotsd night 81 sovereignty y removed ffum
ihsir hands sud b ihai sziest d. thsy erssts
! : nonsfehial Or elirarhresl aathoulT over
thcu,sslYes, iou as0 say that it souid b.
/ dissstFoaa 70 YgHnias Interest Is tbs tns
i b submli he aeti0n II 3 c0nvsetioa 10 he
/ people. ngd that il would b ice rpedient 10
4 d. 30 Uudef no event shguid eHpsdisaev
assume 10 bersolf sYreroignty % the - psn.s
I afths rghi tnd ihs justice of he feonle IA
aoeids ihe qaerIiha ialIy asd fairly by siss
ialatboE 1he pspps ofa sA.s sbou q
carefully avold. ~ maeh a. possible. ahaier.
o. n ibo siizttssi dcrfsf, n,lzht ted o. Der
dosfrucuoa, snd ihey shpaid b. psriouisfiy
guarded ssaiua tlsui ed FFs8aai iuaevs.
4 tsaf of tisif rights SOD pfleeiPts
suAiea 80 EFsst ehsaEas snkf ~ sifk
aimm sn6 afaosa us - setiea. toe stls snd
| ersdasi nsarpsiaa 81 Fglss tfs hui luls
asssrgoii aaa if s b tbas g,shi.pg 70 slisai
Z .alrscuous. fhat W are thIgah ioigsnarahy y.
regalgiiou ssd Cfli rsr. We sbaHi3, here
fss. a. ouassat b slieht iaasystious, uk.eh
tboaeb iarsnsiielsb.s. tad iaanei sapail-
eut a ihe t,aie, tay serss e. sisps 70 orefitr0w
I and 5ssuoy euI fights
Chsh = esasrsi.y. balag hash pfsiuaieisl