The Kingwood chronicle. [volume] (Kingwood, Va. [W. Va.]) 1861-1861, 1861-05-18
A CA RD
To the People Of Monongalia County.

A CARD
To the People of Monongalia County.
FELLOW CITIZENS AT convention of the
States Rights party Of the 10th Congressional
district, held in Fairmont on Wednesday the
18th inst, in which both the Breckenridge
and Douglas wings were fully represented, |
was nominated for Congress. In accepting
that nomination, [ proposed and announced
my determination to commence the canvass
in Morgantown, on Monday the 22d inst ),
(court day. On Friday night last, gentle
man Of influence in the opposition party called
at my room ana notified me that he and others
had been urged to attend here at the time
proposed, in response to the wishes Of the
Union party, and after notifying Inc that
great excitement prevailed in this community
proposed that we should decline coming. To
this proposition responded That my posi-
ton differed from bis in this, that | was a
candidate for Congress and had promised to
be here That it was my duty to attend but
I assured him that if found matters as he
had represented them, certainly would lend
all my influence to quiet the people and not
infame them, and if speaking would infame
them, would not speak.
On Monday noon, arrived III Morgantown
and found assembled large number Of per-
sons from this and adjoining counties III my
own State and the State Of ennsyyania, and
was soon assured that the most singular, alb
surd and int1amable reports then circulating
had contributed greatly to the already lnfam-
ed condition of the public mind and my
friends called upon me to contribute ali |
could to quiet the masses. then proposed
to the gentleman who had approached me- in
Fairlnont, (thcn in Norsansown), that a dis
cllssion could not but add 70 the excitement
and We had letter decline il and 90 ont among
the people III person, and quiet them by CON
versation. The answer returned lie was this .
fear ii can t be checked now, or words to
that effect. In very short time flags were
flying, drums beating, and the crowd hurrah-
ing in procession. 4 stand was erected, the
meeting called to order, the resolutions read
and adopted, and the invited speakers took
their stand wasleft to adopt such course
as my better Judgment would Indicate. Many
Of my friends urged me to speak. while a
] greater number counScled differently |
Satisfied my own mind that to speak would be
to subject myself and friends to insult and IN
Jury, and the town and country to the disgrace
of senseless mob. The most terrible i'm
Z promptu resolutions had been proposed if
not adopted, to prevent it, such as hanging
Mr.. Oldham and myself by namc and our
#supporters, or shooting Us from the stand
q And to carry out this purpose regret to
&lealn number Of armed men from the ad-
#joining counties of our sister State of Penn
zsylvana were summoned to act in concert
with armed men here. 1t was enough for
ed to any one, to cause my conduct to be
goyerned by the principles Of peace inclllcated
in our holy religion. | have borne some sac
fiices to maintain the right, and could not
hesitate moment here with the evidence be-
ore me- | heard the first speaker through
Ind part of the second speaker speech. l
eft with deep regret that not one word fell
rom the speaker lips calculated to quiet the
|xcited mass My object in coming was to
brow oil on the troubled waves, and con-
abute all | could from the facts, in the case
this immediate excitement, to devise ways
nd means to harmonic our sentiments, and
certain the best remedy for the woes upon
!. have never met with such treatment
this before, and cannot be mistaken in the
assertion that this ostracism is the work of
emagogues who are seeking to keep hid the
ruth that mystery and falsehood may have
It's designed effect. They ought to remember
Ind in their own experience | trust will soon
earn that
Truth crushed to the earth riU rise again. 4
Having thus given an explanation OF the
acts connected with my failure to address
Fou yesterday, as promised I know you will
[orgivc me for extending this card somewhat
pn some Of the subjects | intended to speak
pn on Monday Our difficulties is an apology
Iuf6cient, and will struggle to encompass
Ehat | say in as small space as possible.
STATE RIGHTS. II am called in question
am denounced, am ostracised because am