Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-05-22
MEETING IN AUGUSTA co.
SPEECH OF HON. A. II. II. STUART
THE RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.

A large meeting of the people of Augusta
county was held at the Court House on the
sth instant-Hon. A. II. IL. Stuart presi-
ding.
On taking the Chair, Mr.. Stuart addressed
the meeting. lie said that in consequence Of
the surrender of Generals Lee and John
ston, the virtual abdication of the Coincide
rate Government, and suspension Of the
functions of the authorities of the State,
the people of Augusta were deprived of the
benefit of any regular government, either
civil or military. Under these circum-
stances, they had assembled to consider
what course they should adopt. Mr.. s. SAID
he did not approve of tine suggestion to
await the development of events. He thought
they should endeayOr, as far as they could,
TO give shape and direction to their own des-
tiny. Mr.. Stuart, in the course of his re-
marks, said:
The restoration ofpeace will bring up for
discussion and decision many novel ana
complicated questions. The experience and
the precedentS derived from the history Of
other nations will furnish very insufficient
gnides in their solution, because the history
of the world affords no case that is parallel
TO ours, In other countries the relation OF
the citizen or subject to his government is
simple and direct. He owes allegiance TO
Int one government. Under our complex
system every citizen owes allegiance To two
Governments. Before the war, every citizen
owed allegiance to his State, rs we'll as to
the limited States. He wai bound to defend
both. It was thus a double or divi led al
le0iance. with the line of demarcatiOn not
very distinctly defined. When, therefore,
a conflict occurred, it was not always easy
tn determine the path Of duty, or TO pursue
il. for what was obedience to the one, might
be treason against the other.
The war having terminated, and the Con-
federate government having potentially
ceased 10 exist, we are released from al
claim of allegiance to it, and RENTED to our
rights as citizens OF Virginia. What may be
the extent of those rights, or how far any in
diyidual may have forfeited his rights, may
be a question TO be determined hereafter, in
the mode prescribed by the constitution of
the United States. One thing, however, we
may safely assume. A State i'll is political
capacity cannot commit treason. A State as
a political community, cannot incur for
FIXTURE. Treason can only be committed by
individuals, and the penalties can be inflicted
on individuals only. How far State can
throw the agis of her protection over her
citizens who acted under her authority, will
have to be settled hereafter.
After the close of Mr.. Stuart's remarks,
on motion Of Hugh W. Shelley, Esq, The
Chair was instructed to appoint commit
tee of thirteen to prepare and report suita-
BILE resolutions for the consideration Of the
meeting.
The Chair thereupon named the following
gentlemen to constitute the committee.
IL. w. Shefiey, r. j. Niche, John b.
Baldwin, W. Nj. Tate, ID. 5. Bell, J. M.
McCue, NJ. q. Hartman, II. u. Guthrie,
Cbesley kinney, Bolivar Christian, George
BAYLOR, Absalom Conner, aud j. Givens
Fulton.
After some time spent in elaboration,
the committee reported the following series
of resolutions:
l. Resolved, That we believe we express the
thorough conviction of the people OF augusta
county, when we declare that opposition 10 the
authority of the United States within this cum
ty is at an end, and that there is no purpose on
the part Of any OF our people to attempt any re-
newal OF it.
=. hesO.Neui lhat tuc peOP = "
recognizing that the government of Virginia
should he altered 80 as t. conform to the Consti-
tuition and laws OF the United States, are pre-
pared 10 co operate In good faith with the people
of other portions OF the state for that purpose.
g. Resolved, That in our opinion the best mode
of eIecting the object proposed Is by STATE Uon-
yenton, chosen by the voters ana ofg ani-eu upon
the basis OF the House Of Delegates
4 Resolved, That committee OF nve be APP
pointed TO 90 10 Richmond and ascertain whether
the military authorities of the United States will
interposs any obstruction TO the election, assem-
bling and action of such convention Tor the
purpose indicated, and that the chairman oil
this meeting be the chairman OF said comm ttee.
g. Resolved. That this committee be also au
thOriIed o confer with similar committees 10 DC
appointed in other counties and to adopt IN con
cert such measures as will best promote the oD-
iects herein declared.
Hon. John b. Baldwin explained the ma
ture and purpOrt of the resolutions, and
urged their adoption in speech OF great
power and elOquence. The resolutions were