Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1865-09-28
Public Meeting Of the Citizens Of
Jefferson County.

Pursuant to adjournment, large and res
pectable meeting, composing citizens of Jetfer-
son from every quarter of the county, was held
in Jefferson Hall, Charlestown, on Saturday,
the 23d inst. o..
Tbemeeting was called to order by the Chair
man. ANDREW HUNTER, Esq, who briefly ex-
planned its general purposes, urging the impor-
lance of calm, determined, and energetic action
on the part of the people Of Jefferson, IN en-
deavoring, by all proper and legal means TO
redress the wrongs they are now SUBJECTED To-
and to assert their just rights as tree cltlzens.
He stated that the committee, provided at the
last meeting, had endeavored with much care
and labor. to ascertain accurately the iacts, as
well as the laws, both of Old Virginia ana
West Virginia, bearing upon these questlons'
and were now ready to report.
On motion of Andrew E. Kennedy, Esq,
Major II. Quinn, of Harpers-Ferry, was ap-
no;nted assistant Secretary of the meeting.
Tbereupon, VIM. H. Travers, Esq, from the
committee appointed by order Of the last meet
ing. submitted the following reports and series
of resolutions, having first presented clear
and forcible summary of the questions consid-
cred, and the conclusions arrived at in the re-
solutions:
The committee appointed under resolution
Of a recent meeting of the citizens of Jefferson
County "to prepare for the information of an
adjourned meeting to he held on the 2Sd inst,
such statement of facts in relation to the pre-
sent condition of affairs as will place most
comprehensively before the people of the coun-
ty their relations to both the Federal and State
governments" have had the grave subjects
committed to their charge under the most earn
est consideration, and beg leave most respect
fully tosubmit these their reports to their fel-
low-citizens in mass meeting assembled.
REPORT l.
A long and sanguinary war, In which the
North aud South, joining the solemn issue Of
battle. placed under contribution the vast re-
sources at their command for its prosecution,
has ended The persistency of brave and
self-sacrifcing contest was unavailng to estab-
lish, as was desired, separate and indepen-
dent government with the limits of the Federal
Union, and yielding TO the superior power of
overwhelming numbers, the weaker party has
been overborne and vanquiShed, and now lies
at the mercy of the undisputed victor.
In view Of the sober reality of the situation
the committee respectfully present the follow
ing resolutions
Resolred, That in the recent events, by which the
effort of the Southern States to establish and main
tain a government Independent of the United States
was defeated, we, who sympathized and co-operat-
ed with the South, recognize the hand OF an over
ruling Providence and bow in humble acQuiescence.
That we accept the issue of the finally deter
mining against the right, hitherto cOnscientiousty
entertained by many that any State or States OF
the Federal Union whenever, in the opinion of the
people of such States, the action of the other States
of the Federal government was inimical to their
interests and in cOntayenton of the letter spirit
of the Federal Constitution, could of right secede
from the Union, and establish separate and indie
pendent government
That we believe the issue of the war has also de-
termned against the existence of negro slavery, and
that we acceptits abolition accomplished fact,
and as demanded by existing events.
That in renewing Onr connection as citizens with
the government of the United States. we intend to
strictly observe in spirit and in truth our vows of
allegiance to its Constitution, and to obey without
factious opposition, al laws enacted in pursuance
thereof
That in the spirit of magnanimity, which his ex-
cheney, the President of the United States, has
manifested to the people of the Southern States and
in his effort to esteblish possible their
civil State governments, recognize not only the
disposition of an honorable and humane man, but
also the wisdom of arseeng and sagacious states
man. That it is only by such course that the pas
sions and prejudiceS, engendered by four years of
civil strife be removed. and six millions of peO
pie, hitherto hostile and beligerent, can be made
a cOalesing part of the national body, imbued with
its ideas penetrated with its aspirations, and active
labOrers for its interests and glory.
That in the proposition advocated by many lead
ing politicians of the country, to invest the negroes
with the right of suffrage, recognize measure
which we believe TO be fraught with mischief to the
whole country, and one that must inevitably pre-
vent the future happiness and prosperity of the
Southern people, as well as seal with the doom of
utter extinction the negro That it has pleas
ed God TO separate the negro and the white by
wide interval of moral and intellectual difference
that all candid observation during the past sixty
years has recognized such difference, which has
been abundantly confirmed by recent events and
those now transporting; and thatin the construction
of any government for population in which the
negro is a considerable element, it would be both a
folly and a crime not TO arrange his political status
with a reference to his radical inferiority to the
whites. That the emancipation of the negro from
slavery having been accomplished and determined,
il should remain with the white population of the
States, in which he is resident, to decide what
political rights should be granted him, and to add
to those rights, as the discharge of the duties and
responsibilities of his political situation indicated
his fitness for their exercise.
REPORT 9,