Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-01-31
GEORGETOWN.

F. Iof6cS hfpFtSf1ffeG--CONStQefd OtHCr-
eaes of Opsnson an regard to CoereiOH and
other MATTERS, Bar the UaIon sentiment
PredomfaaHt-A Stormy TIME, bNt NIti-
mite Harmony, and UaioR Resolutions
Passed By an almost Unanimous Vote.
GEoReErowS, January 81. 1851.
At the hour appointed for the great Union meet
Ing last evening, Forrest Hall was crowded to It's
utmost capacity, every seat and every inch Of
standing room being occupied Citizens Of every
| shade OF politics-municipal and national--were
present. and our volunteer companies were well
represented, great many Of the members being
present In undreB uniform. Esputas band en-
iivened the proceedings with excellent music,
hDixien -,
The meeting was called to order by Mr. Jas A.
Magruder; and on motion of that gentleman John
Dickson, esq was elected president, and VIM.
Collins secretary
It being ascertained that the Rev. N. B. Morgan
was present, he was requested to open the meeting
with prayer. He complied, and prayed most
fervently for the preservation Of our glorious
Union. We regret that want Of space will not
pressed sentiments Of good win and brotheriy
kindness, which we have all need to cherish In
these troublous times
A: the tramping Of a military company over
head, In their drill movements was very audible,
Mr.. Decide moved that a committee Of one be
appointed to invite the company to the esting.
This was carried, and Mr.. Decide was appointed.
He performed the duty, and the company accepted
| the Invitation and soon marched into the room.
Mr.. Tenney rose to offer certain resolutions he
had prepared; but, at the suggestion Of Mr.. Jen-
| kin Thomas, moved the appointment of commit
| tee Of five to draft resolutions.
This motion was carried, and the Chair ap-
pointed Messrs VIM H Tenney, !enhin Thorn;
| Capt. James b. Goddard, (of the Home Guards)
The committee retired; and
Mr.. James A. Magruder rose and said that sew
eral distinguished gentlemen had been invited to
be presentto address the meeting, but were
| able TO attend He then went on to say that 1t
| needed no argument to convince the people Of
Georgetown Of the great benefits Of the Union,
| no community in the land was more interested In
perpetuating our institutions than the people of
| this District, when some one suggested that Mr..
King, named as one of the committee to draft res
l olutions was not present at the meeting.
L Mr.. Esau Pickrell nominated DR.. John l.. Kid
/ well to fill the vacancy.
The question was put to the meeting by the
| Chair, and some few vociferous "noesn were
| heard
/ DR.. Kidwell had left the room in the mean
| while, and the Chair said he would appoint Mr..
| Esau Pickfell to the vacancy, but Mr. Pickrell
said that under the circumstances he must de-
/ cline The Chair put the question, when the
| same voices again shouted "no"
l. Mr.. James A. Magruder said that we had met
here as Union men, not as partisans, and ought to
/ acknowledge no creed, party or sect. Let us di-
vest this meeting of all partisan character, and
| object to no gentleman serving on the committee
/ Mr.. J. NJ. Stake, after a few explanatory
marks, nominated Mr.. James A. MaRruder.
MIR. Magruder hoped Mr.. Pickrell would serve.
| Mr. Pickrell said he declined, because he bad
| nominated good citizen, and the Chair had de-
| cided he was rejected and nominated himself
The President (Mr. Dickson) said that DR.. Kid
well had left the room at the time, when he aP-
pointed Mr. Pickrell.
Dr. Kidwell, who had returned, said his self
| respect would not allow him to serve on the COM
| mttee after what had occurred.
| Mr.. Tenney appealed TO the meeting, and said
| some present seemed 10 forget this was a Union
meeting, and not called for any party purpose
Let US forget party asperities, and when resolu-
tions were offered, let there be no misses, but
| adopt or reject them
| MIR. stake insisting upon his motion to appoint
Mr.: Jas A. Magruder It was carried. [Applause
l Mr.. Mayfeld moved that the committee be in
creased to seven, and that DR. John l.. Eidwtll
and Mr. Esau Pickrell be appointed thereon
| Carried, amidst great applause and some few ex-
While the committee were out considering the
resolutions, calls were made on several gentlemen
for speeches. amidst much good natured raiilery
| and joking.
The committee of seven, a. near as we can
classify the gentlemen composing II, (and we
hope they will pardon US IL we do not exactly hit
their positions In these changing tines consiste
ocrat, one Independent democrat. one old line
| whig, one American, and one anti-democrat, (by
: anti -democrat we do not mean republican, be II
| understood
The committee having returned, reported q
series Of resolutions, which were read by MIR
Tenney, as follows:
OcOfgetOWn,
town meeting assembled, that we can never ad
, l init the right Of any State to secede from the
Union; and that the word secession is used to en-
Z trap the unwarv who mig ht shrink from rebellion
,. Rssolred, That revolution should never b,
attempted until all peaceable remedies ex
hausted; and that 1t is unbecoming the dignity OF
chfistanty' to plunge any Country into the 5of
rors Of civil war, If It can by any means be hon
| orably avoided.
3. RESOLVED, That we heartily approve the Crit
tenden proposition as basis Of adj ustment of tn,
d national difficulties.
a. Rssolred, That we have firm and unwaver
| ing attachment to the Union under whose beneh
cent government this country has enjoyed unpar
/ alleled prosperity and attained a rank among tn,
nations Of the earth, in the brief period Of It's
), istence, unknown in the history Of the world.
| S. Resolrsd, That the refusal Of the secedi ms
States In their conventions, to submit their act
the people, is contrary to the genius and spiri
Of free institutions and that we consider tb
% words of Webster axiom: ''That Liberty anS
's Union arespow and forever, one and nseparable
10 6. Resolved, That we owe a higher allegianc,
to our country than to any party platform, ant
| while we represent all political parties, we ear
ne.tly invoke the Senators and Representatives il
Congress to sink at this time partisan prejudice
| for the sake of the Union
fit is understood that the resolutions were up
N | proved by all the members Of the Committee sx
d cept Messrs. KIdwell and Pickrell, and that the
- were opposed only to the first one, having mod
1t fed the fifth one SO as to bring Ii nearer thei
| request Of these gentlemen, and II was their wis
to substitute that single one for the whole series
re- After reading the resolutions Mr.. Tenney state
to | that some of the resolutions were not adopte,
| unanimously; that the minority though strong Il
- intellect, were weak In number. He would sub
Is init the resolutions without debate.
MIR Thomas moved that the question be take
| on the adoption Of the whole sefies.
Amid cries for question and calls for MIR. Ma
| gruder, that gentleman came forward, but d.
clined speaking, so that vote might be had o
| the resolutions
Cries Of Goddard! Goddard! :" were heard
so Mr. Goddard came forward and spoke eloquen
ce ly and periodically for several minutes, sayin
il, that no people were more strongly interested
9, the perpetuity Of the Union than the people
na the ID strict, and that IL dissolution Is consun
H mated Washington would not be the capital
either a Northern or Southern CoRSederacy.
| was a time to sink all party feeling and mai
some sacrifices for the sake Of our common couI
try, and he announced himself az In favor Of II
>. Union Of the States under all circumstances. II
L. was warmly applauded
Ve Mr. Samuel Cropley wanted the vote taken @
he each resolution separately.
Mr.Tenney read the first resolution.
Mr.. John w Bronaugh said the resolution w,
good as far as 1t went, but he, for one, could n
- consent to the doctrine Of coercion (Applause
, He moved an amendment to that effect.