Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1861-05-01
MEETING AT NEWTON FALLS.
NEWTON FALLS, April p. 1861.

. MEETING AT NEWTON FALLS.
NEWTON Falls, April p. 1861.
' Alta very large meeting of citizens
e this and adjoining townships called
E counsel together as to the best means
meet the crisis that now threatens tn
' peace. and perpetuity of this Union,
: A. Ensign was called to the Chair. an
: soon as seated at his post the band brok
. forth with that national anthem, Sta
{ Spangled Banner. and single glance a
! the audience showed plainly that ever
I pulsation of the heart beat in unison wit
its soul stirring strains. and more than on
r check was moistened with that sure indi
. Gator of deep emotion James Bronson
was then chosen Secretary. The Chairman
desired some one more familiar with tn
object of the call to make statement
n. A. Barret being called for responded
In the most emphatic manner he called at
tention to the danger necessarily inciden
to timid policy. Strengthen your battal
ions and shorten the war, exclaimed the
speaker Do not wait until the enemy
not only chooses his own position but damp
ems the ardour of the masses with advan
tages gained by the traitorOus minions Of
the Slave Power through the want of time
ly and energetic action, and he concluded
his remarks by proferring his services al
any moment that they may be required.
J. F. Beaver responded that the snow
upon his head would indicate anything
else than heat. but there is crisis that
none will fail to observe.
He said he could not speak more to the
purpose than adopt some remarks made
by the Hon. David Tod a few days ago.
Mr.. Tod said all recrimination and party
squabble must culninate in common ef-
fort to sustain the common cause Of our
common country. This war said Mr.. B.
is Holy because it is just on our part and
purely defensive. No government on earth
presents to US a picture more sublime than
standing between the laborer and his op-
pressOr Free labor is truly the basis of
this war aud the question to be decided on
this dreadful appeal is. shall the laborer
own himself or shall he be chatelized.-
There is no other question envolved. Then
let the champions Of free labor join issue
with the traitors of the South and by a
determination worthy of his cause, show
to the world that he desires to be free
Then strike and strike at once, for the
blood shed in this war will consecrate the
union of these States and erect monu-
ment of glory.
E. H. Ensign was next called for, who
forthwith responded, claiming that he
stood upon platform in the present cri-
sis that recognizes no party creeds but the
government and its preservation was his
motto. He then proceeded to give his
torical sketch Of the war, claiming that
the South were the aggressors and that the
democratic party had more reason to CON-
plain of the South than republicans them
selves, for l in common with the democrat
ic party had claimed that the South had
rights that we were bound to respect, l
felt heretofore for enforcing those rights
but now | consider myself absOlved from
any claims that they might have upon me
and 60 in for giving them good sound
threshing.
Judge Hoffman being present was called
upon and with hearty will responded
Many times have we heard him speak on
varieus subjects, bat never before did he
seem to be fired up with that zeal that
prompted such noble sentiments to fall
from his lips. The judge observed that
anxiety and suspense had given him the
blues. He saw with pain the demoraliE- .
ing actions of Floyd. ToOmbs Thompson.
and other secessionists in every department
Of the government He said. saw six
ago, and no one could failto see in
the ueriurous actions Of Southern Sena-
tors and officials the fatal preparations for
war. Constitutional obligations, official
paths, had ceased to have the slightest IN
Huence in sustaining the disgraceful robber-
ries of secessionists occupying official sta
.ioas. Contrary to their army cath, which
s punishable by death. we have seen the
.raitors surrender ships, forts, arsenals
md navy-yards, property of the general
government, we have also seen them sIeze
Ipon and steal the treasury of the nation
o use them in the destruction of the gov
snd subjugatiOn of the freemen of
he North. He said he felt relieved some-
What now that the certainty was upon US.
hough it is war to the knife and the knife
o its hilt, but let it come, it could not
lave come through more unmistakable acts
# the confederate traitors nor at better
ime, since it finds the whole North unit
md rapidly marshalling its hosts for the
bloody conflict, and most bloody it certain
y will be, for the traitors are compelled
% operate with rope on their throats,
md Pickens gave the key note when he
;ays we conquer or we perish. We rejoice
hat Virginia schemes were in part broken
up for although the passage of her seees-
sion ordinance is not made public, yet E.
nough is known to satisfy every one that
she has been and is now acting in accord
lnce with her traitorous intentions Her
whole conduct shows that she was not de-
iberating for any thing but deception to
he North and to gain time until the knights
If the golden circle had effected their or
yanization in Maryland and other places
where sympathy for secession opened fields
or their secret operations These secret
have developed themselves in
Kansas, Texas,an at this moment in Bal
.imore, and is but the natural result of
he generalization of the government
through the slave power. But let the
strife proceed. we did not inaugurate it,
put the sympathies of all good men are
With US and it may cost much blood and