Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-08-20
reported for the InteTigencer.)

"a 'EEI 4aIS@ WSettuS u tbS S't>SSo@ -
West Liberty ana vicinity met in the Acad-
envy Hall, to give expression to their feel
iDgs and sympathies upon the departure of
the company recruited by Capt Carts.
The meeting was called to order by
Prof Ross, who nominated G. D. Bonsr as
Chairman, and on motion of tbs Rev. Viii
hanson was appointed Secretary.
The exercises we're commenced By the
choir singing the hymn, My Country, It's
of Thee" &c. followed by most impress
sive prayer by the Rev. Williamson.
Prof. A F. Ross was then introduced,
who proceeded to address the meeting,
tracing the history of our tree institutions
from their birthplace in the forests OF Ger
many. their subsequent development in
England, until the Puritaus transpIanted
them 20 our Western world. These insti-
tutiops were not the growth of yesterday
thew were the final result and most beeuti-
full product Of thousand years of Anglo
Saxon thinking, acting and suffering
They were not purchased by the blood and
suEerfngs of our own revolution, but had
been wou by the sufferings aud cousecrated
bY the blood of patriots during Il thousand
years Of the worlds history. He Thea pro-
ceeded to show that if the institutions are
now lost a thousand years would not re-
construct such fabric. He then proceed
ed 10 depict the happy working of these
institutions, in securing the civil liberties
of mankind their eminent success, maui
tested il the increase aud growth of these
States. and in securing the happiness and
prosperity of the people.
He would not attempt to show or detail
the history of this most unreasonable and
unnatural rebellion He trusted TO
the Intelligence of his audience. The
facts were well known and familiar TO
all-it was sufficient to know that the cita-
del of freedom was in danger-that on this
lay half million OF men were IN arms TO
! destroy the institutions under which we
| had hitherto prosPered. This rebellion
was utterly csuseless. Every right had
/ been secured to the South, and every wrong
redressed. Every demand on the part OF
! the South, even though bordering on the
! e1trAvAgant, had been conceded, 10 the
! vain hope of pacitying them, aud from a
| reluctance on the part of the goTernment
to engage in an unnatural and fratricidAi
war, until at last, falling 10 elect John C..
! Breckenridge TO the Presidency OF the
| Uuiled States, they make the insolent and
r1travagaut demand, that the government
| itself, lis Capitol and its Archives Oe sur
rendered to the keeping Of a contemplate
| minority of sInvcholding aristOcrats. This
could not be complied with-hence this re-
bellioH.
To suppress this unnatural and fiendish
rebellion was the object OF this war-tO
restore the government TO its rightful an
thority, and to vindicate the supremacy OF
the Constitution and the laws. This
war was not waged for the purpose
OF subjugating any State of this Uniou-it
was war against rebels wherever found
If the arms OF the Union we're successful
thu South would reap the benefit as well
as the North, in being restored to all the
blessings of this great and beneticient gov
crument The soldiers before him had
been called out not in pursuance OF any
law enacted to meet the eXigencies of this
particular case-but in accordance with
the requirements and almost in the very
language OF a law of congress almost coeT"I
with the government itself, to suppress
insurrection and TO restore the authority OF
the Constitution aud the laws They were
not called out to subjugate any people, but
to protect loyal men wherever found, and
10 crush the traitor wherever he might
rear bis head.
: He then adverted TO the TWO calls that
had previously been made with no re-
Spouse or a very feeble one from these
magnificent bills aud vallies arouud US.
Why was tLis!
No hills were as green as our own hills
no fields covered themselves With
with such Il luKuriant garniture-no forests
clothed themselves with richer foliage-no
land uroduced in richer abundance its
l focks and herds and golden grain, but
: where are the men to defend this rDaguii-
cent patrimony from the ruthless Invader!
Surely Imam il the nobier growth our
realms suppIy"-nnd this is the land IL
} produce heroes. Why then do they not
leap forth at their country's call? No re-
sponse Again the call comes up from
the beleaguered citadel of freedom, come
to the rescue. For II while no response,
until our hearts began to sink within Us
aud the cheeks of the patriot to burn with
shame, when at last leader is found in
Capt. Curtis who no sooner erected his
standard than a hundred of thess stalwari
sons of Ohio county spring to bis side and
ask to be led t. the field Of danger
? and Of glory. Thank God our county
is redeemed in the face of the whole couu-
try! Then turning 10 Captain Curtis
be addressed him personally; compli-
mented him upon the brilliant success that
had attended his efforts, and on behalf
of the citizens of West Liberty and vicinity,
presented him with splendid silk flag, in
token of their interest in him and his com
mand.
Capt. Curtis received the flag on behalf
of his company, and after receiving it said
in reply to Prof. Ross:
wish to return the thanks of the com
pany tor this magnificent flag. l think
that can give you assurance that this flag
will never be disgraced. think this com
pauy is composed of the kind of men who
will never suffer it TO he dishonored as
long as they have the strength to carry a
sword or muskct. Fellow soldiers, shall
we not defend this flag to the last, Zone
outburst of "Yes.") 1 now on behalf OF
my company return our sincere thanks to
the people of West Liberty, and assure