The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1861-05-22
Resolutions Adopted by the
Western Hirginia Contention.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON STATE
AND FEDERAL RELATIONS.

monty Known as the ordinance of secession, |
by which said Convention undertook in the
name of the State of Virginia, to repeal the |
ratification of the Constitution of the United |
States of America, by this State, and to resume |
ell the rights and powers granted under said
is unconstitutional, null and
void.
Resolred, That the schedule attached to said !
ordinance suspsnding and prohibiting the cleo
tion for members of Congress from this State,
to the House of Representatives Of the Con-
gress of the United States, required by law to
bs held on the 4th Thursday of this month, is
a manifest usurpatisn of power, to which we
as Virginia freemen ought not, cannot, and will
not submit,
Resolved, That the Convention of the Gath
of April, 1861, between the Commissioners Of
the Confederate States and this State, and the
ordinance of the 25th Of April, 1851, approv-
ing and ra,ifyins said Convention, in agree
ment by which the whole military power and
military operations, offensive and defensive Of
the Commonwealth, were placed under the
chief control and direction of the President Of
the Confederate States, upon the same princi
pies and footing as if the Commonwealth were
now a memb of said Confsderacy, and all
the aetipgs and doings of the executive Off
Gers Of our State under and in pursuance of
said agreement ordinance, as plain and palpa,
BILE violation of the Constitution of our State,
and are utterly subversive of the rights and
liberties Of the good people thereof.
ReSolved, That it be earnestly recommended
to our fellow -citizens Of this State, at the ap
preaching election 20 vindioate their rights as
Virginia freemen by voting against said ordi-
nance of secession, and all other measures of
like character, SO far as they may be made
known to them.
Resolped, That it be also urged upon them
to vote for mem mbors of Congress of the United
StAtes in their several districts, in the eSer-
else of the rights secured to US by the Consti-
tuition of the United States, and of Virginia
Resoired, That it be also recommended to
the citizens of the several counties to vote at
said election for such persons as may enter
tain the opinions in the foregoing resolutions
as members OF the House of Delegates of our
State.
Resoired That it is the imperative duty of
our citizens to maintain the Constitution and
The laws thereof, and all officers there under
| acting in the lawfnl discharge of theii respec
tive duties.
Resolred, That in the language Of Geo.
Washing gton in his letter of the l7th of
September, 1881. 10 the President Of
Congress; tin til our deliberations on
this subject We keep steadily in. our view
that which appears to US the greatest in
terest of every trre American, the con-
,lidation of our Union, in which is in.
volvcd cur property, felicity, safety and
yerhaps our national exis enee." There
fore we will maintain and defeud the Con,
stitution of the United Sses ard the
laws made in pursuance thereof, and all
tof5; ho Ion ful
discharge of their respective duties.
e Resolved That in view of the ge,.
graphical, social, commercial and indus
trial interests of Northwestern Virginia
this Committee are constrained in giving
expression to the opinion of their con-
stituents to declare that the Virginia
Convention in assuming to charge the
relations of the State of Virginia, to the
Federal Government have not only acted
unwisely and unconstitutionaliy, but have
adopted policy utterly ruinous to all the
material interests of our section, seyering
all our socialities, and drying up all the
channels of our trade and prosperity.
| Res0lred, That in the event of the Or
dinance of Secession being ratified by a
vote. we recommend to the people of the
| Counties here represented. and all Others
disposed to co operate with US to appoint
on the 4ih day of June, 1851, delegates
to General Convention, to meet on the
Ilth of that month, 1881, at such place
ss may be designated by The Committee
hereinafter provided, to devise such meas
ures aud take such action as the safety
and welfare of the people they represent
may demand, each County to appoint q
number of Representatives to said Con,
vention equal to double the number to
which it will be entitled in the next House
of Delegates, and the Senators and Dele>
gates to be elected on the 23d inst, of the
counties referred to, to the next General
Assembly of Virginia, and who concur in
the views of this Convention, be entitled
to seats in the said Convention as mem.
bers thereof
RESOLVED, That inasmuch as it is a
conceded political axiom, that govern
nent is founded on the consent of the
governed and is instituted fer their good,
and it cannot be denied that the course
pursued by the ruling power in the State.
is utterly subversive and destructive of
our interests, we believe we may rightful-
ly and successfully appeal to the proper
authorities of Virginia, to permit US
peacefully and lawfully to separate from
the State. and form ourselves into o gov.
ernment to give effect to the wishes, views
and interests of our constituents
kesolved. That the public authorities
be assured that the people of the North
West will exert their utmost power to pre-.
serve the peace, which they feel satisfied
they can do, until an opportunity is az
forded to see if our present difficulties
cannot receive peaceful solution; and we
express the earnest hope that no troops of
the Confederate States be introduced
among US. as we believe it would be emf.
nently calculated to produce civil war.
: Resolved, That in accordance with the
last resolution, Central Committee of
Eve be appointed 10 attend to all matters
oopnoetad NTH the ohiacta nf THE Hon