The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-02-05
For tie Hestera Democrat.
PUBLIC MEETING.

Pursuant to public notice, number of the citi-
zens of Mecklenburg county met at Berryhis
Schoolhouse on the 18th January, 1861, for the
purpose of considering in some of its phases the
crisis which upon the country, but more
especially to repel with indignant the foul
and false imputation of some secret foe that the
spirit of abolitionism is lurking in our midst The
meeting was organized, on motion of Samuel Ber-
ryaill, by calling n B. Taylor to the chair, who
briefly explained the object of the meeting. when
on motion of S. j. Berryhill, j. A. Iagert was re-
quested to act as Secretary.
On motion of Samuel Berryhil the chair ap-
pointed Samuel Berryhill and r. r. Rea with
whom by vote of the meeting n B. Taylor was
associated, committee to draft resolutions ex
pressive of the sense of the meeting who, after
short absence, returned the following which were
unanimously adopted, to-wit:
Whereas, A report has gone abroad that among
the non-slaveholdng portion Of our community
there exists hostile feeling to the institution of
slavery, the members of this meeting, speaking
for themselves and for the community generally
with whose sentiments on that question they are
intimately acquainted, declare to the world, that
under just sense Of the necessity of the case as
well due respect for individual rights, We hold
ourselves ready to shoulder arms in defence of
that institution, believing personal security
and our rights of property involved in the issue.
AHu NHeTeaS LII Tie present eAclleu SCaIe OF the
public mind, produced by the agitation of political
questions, which threaten to subvert all govern
ment, and to imperil our homes and the peace and
security of our families there is constant danger
of wrestling from the constituted and proper au-
thorities Of the country the execution of law and
the preservation of order and transferring it to
tribunal unknown to the law and subycrsive of it
Therefore
Resolved, That we view with the deepest con
the agitations aforesaid, which have brought
the verge of anarchy, and which threat
property, but to place it in state of deadly
hostility to all we hold most dear upon earth.
Resolved, That while we declare it our purpose
to observe the strictest vigilance over our rights
and to defend them to the last against every in
vader, at the same time we declare ourselves law
abiding citizens, and that while there exists an
organized government US, we will yield to it
a ready obedience and hearty support-that
Will bring to it all our grievances for redress. The
law is our avenger, to it only will we appeal
Resolved, That it is our duty as good citizens to
discountenance and hold in detestation any ard
every attempt on the part of any, high low, to
inaugurate and excite mob law or summary ven
geance upon even the humblest citizen of the
country while the law extends its paternal hand
and its officers kept in position to protect the
rights and avenge the wrongs of the meanest Of
its sub jects.
When, on motion Of Samuel Berryhil it was
ordered that the papers in Charlotte be requested
to publish these proceedings
n B. TAYLOR Chm