Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1865-10-07
Public Meeting Of the Citizens
Of Jefferson County.


rns meeting was called 10 order bv The
Chairman. ANDREW HuNrEs. Esq, who
b jsAy explained It's general purposes, ".
s,ps lhs tnpo lance nf calm, determined,
al eHerSelic action on the part Of lhs
people Of J,h,rson, IN endsavOfine, by
al Proper and legal means. TO redress tie
Wrongs ;hey are now SUBJECTED to, and TO
assert iheir jns! rights as free ci,izens.
He otatea thai the conmiitee, provided al
The iasl meeting, had eDdeav0red with
much care and labor, to ascertain accurate.
ly the facts, a. we'll as the laws, both Of
O,J Virginia and Wes, Virginia, bearing
upon these questions, and were now tea
dy TO report.
On motion Of Andrew E. Kennedy,
ESQ, Major I. Qulnn, of Harper's Fer
Ty. was appointed assistant secretary Of
OF rhe meeting.
Tbrreupon. Wm. H. Travers, Esq.,
from the c6mmitee appointed by order Of
the lssi meelinq, subnit,ed the following
reports end series Of resolutions. having
fret pre.enied &sar and loreible sum
nary Of The questions considered, and the
conclusions arrived at in Ihe resolutions
TIE committee appointed under ares.
oluton Of recent meeting Of the Ci'izens
OF Jefferson County, "lo prepare for The
information OF an adjourned meeting 10
he held on the 23rd ult., snch a stale
meui of fsc,s in relation TO the present,
condition of affairs as will place most
somprehensively before the people Of the
county their relations 10 both the Federal
and State governments" have had the
grave subjects commlted 10 their charge
under the most earnest consideration. and
beg leave most respectfully TO submit
these their reports TO their fellow.ciiizens
10 mass meeting assembled.
REPORT l.
A long and sanguinary war, 10 which
the NoIIh and South, joining The solemn
Issue of ballle, placed under contribution
the vast resources al their command for
ip prosecution, hss ended. The persls-
tency OF brave and self sacrificing con
test vas unsvailng TO establish, ss was
desired, separate and independent gov
srna.ent ~iIh ihe limits Of the Federal
Uuion. and ield,ng 10 the superior pow.
q OF overwhelming numbers, the weaker
uar,S has been OverbOrns and vanqUlshed.
aud nov lies al the mercy Of the undis-
Pn'sdsvicIor.
In view Of ,he sober reality Of the Sit
uslion the committee respectfully present
Ghs following resolutions
Resoiv.d, Tha. in ihe recent eSent''oy
which lhe efforts Of the Southern States
TO eIhblish and maintain government IN
dependent Of the United States wss de-
fesled, we, who sympalhized and co-oPe.
raied with the South, recognize the hand
Of an overruling Providence, and bow IN
humble seQuiescencs. That We accsP'
the right, hitherto conscientiously enter
tanned BY so many, that any State or
Sts,ss of The Federal Union. whenevs, IN
the opinion OF the people Of such States
The action OF the other States or OF the
Federal government, visa iDimical to Their
interests, and IN contraveuiion oi the letter
or spirit of The Federal Constitution. could
Of right secede from the Union. aad es-
isblish q separate and independent gov
eminent.
That we believe the Issue of the war
has also determined against negro slave
~, and that We accep, lis abolition as an
ACCOMPLISHED fact, and as demanded ~
existing events.
That IN renewing our connection ss
citizens with the governmental OF the UNI
ted States, we intend TO strictly observe
in spirit and in truth our vows OF aiie-
glance 10 its Constitution, and TO ooey'
without fsciious opposion. all laws snac'
ted in pursuance thereof.
THAI in tho spirit Of magnanimiiy' when
his excelleney, the President Of The UNI.
ted States, has manifested 10 the people of
the Southern States, and in his effort 10
establish as soon as possible their civil
State governments. We recognize not only
the disposition Of an honorable and hu-
Insne man, but also the wisdom Of far
eeeing and ssgacious statesman. That i,
is only''by such a course that The pas
slons and prejudlcss. engendered by four
wears Of civil strife. can be removed, and
Elk millions OF people, hitherto hostile
snd belIgeren,. can be made coslesing
part of The national body. imbusd with its
ideas. penetrated with lis aspirations. and
active laborcrs for its interests and glory.
That in the proposition. advocated oy
many lrsding politicians of the ooon'yc
to iu,es. The negroes with The rign' OF
.ufIrage. we recognize measure when
We believe TO be frsughr with mischief 10
the whole country. and one that must IN,
Il evilably preyen. The future happiness sno