Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1865-03-24
PUBLIC MEETING.

PUBLIC MEETING.
At large and enthusiastic meeting Of the
citizens of Augusta County. held at their
Court House on Monday the 9th. day Of
February 1865. General Kenton Harper
WINS called to the chair and VIM II Iams,
VIM Il Fl Lynn and Richard Mauzy we're
appointed Secretaries.
Gen. 81. on assuming the chair forcibly
explained the object of the meeting.
Col YIN II Hartman, in behalf Of the
committee appointed by the primary meet.
ing held IN Staunton, and which called this
meeting, reported the following Preamble
and Resolutions
Whereas, The people Of these Confeder-
ate States have had distinct and unmis
takeablc issue presented to them BY the
Despotic Ruler of the United States. we
are emphatieally informed that the abiect
surrender Of our liberty as people il De,
n'anded, and further contumacy and resis-
lance is to be visited with all the. horrors
Of subjng alton which carries in its brain.
deprivation Of personal freedom for our:
selves and children; confscaticn Of cur
property, and the des'ructicn ofevery right
wo hold dear. The Government created ny
US and fairly representing us, has met this
insolent demand with manly defiance,
which We ,re-eeho aud endorse. Placing
our trust in the Lord of, Hosts relying
upon the justice Of our cause preferring
death to Observation-Disclosures to bequeath
the precious boon Of Independence which
we Inherited from our Fathers, to our chill
dfen, or die in the effort willing to lay
our all ifneed be upon the altar Of our
country, resolved never to submit to the
yoke Of such people as those with whom
our brothers aud sous have been engaged
in deadly struggle for four years. and who
have delighted in sacking and destroying
CIR houses, devastating our lands, insulting
our women and numbering our citizens !;
the People of Augusta County have assem-
be in primary meeting, aud do solemnly
Resolve /:
lst That we have firm and certain con-
viction Of the justicc Of our cause. and will
maintain il at every sacrifice Of blood and
TT assure.
+ 2nd. That tho matchfres Of Liberty
lighted in 1861 burn With undininished
trilliancy in this the 9Th year Of the cruel
war waged against us by our INSCRIPTIONS
aud viudictigc foe and though occasional
disasters have and may occur to our gallant
armies, they cannot be extinguished until
'ur independence as people is fully CO.
tablished
3rd. That the noble, defiant and patri-
ptic resolves coming up daily from our gal
liant armies in the field and from our PEG
pie at home, give renewed assurance of IN
spoken. deternlination4to persist in she strag-
sglo until that end shall have been. attained.
4sb. That our subj ugation cannot be
effected If our people are united-and
notwithstanding the Wanted superiority Of
our enemy in MURDERS, having full faith in
the justice of righteous God, in the valor
of our veteran seldiers and ia the patriot
ism Of our people, wemay, and do set their
threats Of determination at defiance.
9Th That re regard reconstruction as
but another name for submission to tyranny,
| and 1--WE pledge our lives our fortunes and
our Sacred honor never to entertain even
the idea Of it, but to resist it in the future
as we have done in the past, to the ut
most extremity.
6 h that our confidence. in our Rulers,
ci I'll and military and our noble armies is
undated.
| 18th That for the sustcnance and support
Eof our Government and our soldiers we are
prepared to meet all demands which are
made upon us. and to this end, if it be
deemed necessary, we are willing to open
our Store Houses, ard reduce our families
to half rations, or even less.
| 9Th That having given our sons and
brothers { 4, the cause we would be "less
than men" if we were not ready to make
any sacrifice Of property, or hesitate to re-
spond to the calls Of our chosen leaders
9th That whilst some Of our fellow citi-
zens oppose the arming Of our negroes, We
are content with tho knowledge that we
have the sanction of God for using all the
means ID our power to resist wicked Cypress
ion, and. if this meaus Of resistance be
deemed necessary and available by such
men as President Davis and by Gen. Kobt.
r. Ice, we shall not stop Is discuss abstract
questions, but will cheerfully give our SER
wants, as we have our sons to our country.
Which at his instance. were laid upon
the table until after the speakers had been
heard
Col. Hartman then read to the meeting
letters from Hons. J P Benjamin, j b
Baldwin and G A Henry and Brig Genl.
Fl A Wise, which are hereto appended,
explaining the reasons Of their declination
to accept the invitation extended to them
to address the meeting and verbally ex-
planned that his public duties prevented
Hon Bolivar, Christian from being present
RICHMOND, Feb goth 1865.
It would afford me great pleasure
to accept your invitation and to address the poo
pie at your meeting the 9th inst, but regret
to say that during the session OF Congress my pub
lie duties do not permit INV leaving Richmond
more than few hours at time.
~, am, very re spectfuliy
Your obt serv't
j. r. BENJADiN.
Messrs VIM Harmx,, r Niche, Crawford
( and others.
MxssRs WIZ 81 HAENAs and Ornsas, Committee.
1 have received ours Of l7tfi inst.
inviting me to address mass meeting Of the PEG
I