Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-03-29
GREAT UNION MEETING AT HUNTS.
WILLIE ALABAMA.
SPEECHES OF EX SENATOR CLEMENTS
AND JUDGE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
OPINION OF SLAVERY AND Sc
CESSION

SPEECHES OF EX SENATOR CLEMENTS
AND JUDGE HUMPHREYS-THEIR
OPINION OF SLAVERY AND Sc
..ll4 CESSI0N.
An adjourned meeting of the citizens of Madi-
son County, Alabama, was held on the 18Th inst,
at the Court House in Huntsville. II was, in
point Of numbers much larger than was antici-
pated. By order Of Gen. Logan the military,
though many Of them were present as listeners
took no part in the proceedings The debera
tions and action Of the meeting were those Of
Alabamans. Generally the men who paFticipat
ed were beyond middle age--men of wealth and
of great respeotabiliiy. But two speeches were
made. OF the speakers, the Hon. Jere Clemens
is we'll known to all as former Senator. Judge
Humphreys is one OF the ablest members Of the
Southern Bar, and was delegate to the Charles
ton Convention.
a-' srEEoH or THE HON. JRRg CLEMENS. a.
This is an adjourned meeting from that held
at this place on Saturday last, Of which the ooun-
try people did not have sufficient notice TO at.
tend The object of the meeting was explained
at the Saturday meeting. | will restato it for
the benefit of those who were not then present.
The object of the meeting is the restoration Of
civil government-tO bring us law and order-to
secure peace. lrt
| I'VE were hurried into revolution against our
earnest protest. This people was for the Union.
Madison County gave ], 800 mejority against Sc
cession, yet we were carried away Without sup
port We had no arms. Buchanan was in the
Presidential chair. Day had at last come, thank
God, and we can say that we take shelter under
the stars and strips.
We propose to call upon the Governor of the
State to convene Convention, for the purpose
Of Resembling the Act Of Secession. How far the
Governor will pay respect to our action, can
not say. To be candid, ! think he will pay il
none In calling upon him, we avoid the charge
Of precipitancy, and follow the constitutional
method. After that, we have the right to call
upon our inherent rights-to act for ourselves.
We have the right to assemble in our capacity
as citizens and reestablish cvlgovernment fol
ourselves
Falsebool, fraud and crime took us out Of the
Union. They told US that Secession was neces-
sary TO save Slavery During the 10 years pre-
oeding the Rebellion, the State Of Alabama had
not lost 10 slaves year. We had Rebellion,
and the consequence now is that there is not one
man in the State Of Alabama who can say he has
the title to a single niger. Not all Of us have
title to anything.
The praotioul result is Emancipation Cotton
they said was King-would secure us recognition
aud independence. The result is Confederate
money is worth five cents on the dollar. They
said that civil liberty ana State rights would be
secured by the Secession. The first act Of thG
Confederate Congress deprived the people Of the
right to select their President. II a man owned
20 negroes he WIS excused from military duty
II man had 10 starving children be was not
The man who owned the negroes could stay al
home with his wealth the man with starving
children must leave them and go to the battle
field.
You and may have had some fear of th'
success of the Confrderacy. Thank God there /,
aop no prospect Of lis succeeding.
The Hon. ID. C. Humphreys moved that, a
on addition to the committee of twelve, appoint
ed last Saturday to report additional resolution
at this meeting, three others be appinted.
The Chair appointed ]. @. Steele, Charles
Strong, VIM. Bowers
The Committee reported the following resolu
tons additional to those reported at the frs
meeting;
Resolved, That we believe that the effort l.
destroy the old Government and erect a separat
nationality, has proved the ruin Of the fright