Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-09-25
Mass Meeting in Alexandria

Mass Meeting In Alexandria.
| On Tuesday night, the 18th inst, a large
mass meeting was held in Alexandria to endorse
the objects Of the Philadelphia National Con-.
vcntion, and the noble and patriotic course of
President johnson, in his endeayors to restore
peace and harmony to the country, and guaran
tee to the States their rights under the Cousti-
tuition.
Inc Alexandria Gazette says that the meeting
was success beyond the authorizations Of the
most sanguine of the friends of the cause. and
gave unmistakable evidence of the deep interest
and warm sympathy felt in that community for
the PRESIDENT in his struggle to put down rad
lcallsin. and maintain right and justice. ,z4
The following preamble and resolutions were
unanimously adopted r gs s.
| WHEREAS, In times of peril to the principles
OF public liberty and justice, it is the duty of
| good citizens to assemble together, and pledge
! their support to the Government in the main
tenance of those principles; and believing that
the triumph of Radicalism over the patriotic eff.
forts now being made by President johnson to
preserve them, would result in their destruction
and civil war; it is therefore,
l. Resolved, That we recognize in Andrew
johnson, the President of the United States, a
true patriot and statesman, who, treading firm
! ly in the paths of the early sages of the Repub-
lie, and immovably fixed in the confidence of
the people, may well afford to despise the as
saults of the disunion faction that despairs of
rullng-seeks to ruin the country
2. Resolved, That we hail the recent Con-
yentlon OF the Conservative men of the country,
at Philadelphia, as a meeting worthy of the
best days of the Republic union of good men
for. great purposes and that we most heartily
endorse the objects Of said Convention
3. Resolved, That we cordially invite all the
friends of the conservative policy of Andrew
johnson, to unite with us in an organization,
designed to uphold that policy, and give gen
erous and hearty support to the Chief Magis-
trate of the Union - '''li
/ 4. Resolved, That regarding Radicalisnl as
synonymous with despotism, injustice, and a
host Of other evils, it is our solemn duty to OBJ
pose it, and we hereby pledge ourselves to do So
The meeting was addressed by Marshall Good
ing Of the District Of Columbia, Philip r. Fen
dali, Esq, and DIR. Allen of Washington. city
and W. W. Walker of Westmoreland county.
Hon. A H. Ell. Stuart, and Col. Jno. B
Baldwin of this place were invited to be present
The following are extracts from their letters II
response to their invitations: 49,
); ao.1i.sl tStaamto,,, Va, Sept. IA, 1866. 3
x - most cordially approve, and 'en
dorse' the policy of the President, and the ac
J ton OF the Philadelphia Convention, as patri
otto. wise, and judicious 1t is true that there
are some passages in the proceedings of the
, Convention, which we would have preferred te
have modified, but taken as whole we have ne
just reason to except to them. 2 itg ~. .s
The issue is now fairly joined between the
Conservatives and the Radicals In my judg
ment it is the issue of union or disunion-peact
or war; Should the radicals succeed in the
coming elections, [ can see nothing but disaster
to the country. The Southern States will be
continued in their present anomalous condition
neither in nor out of the Union-taxed without
being represented, and governed by laws, il
making which they have no voice. This condi
ton OF things must tend to widen the breach
between the North and South, and postpone
indefinitely, the restoration of cordial relations
between them. The feeling Of insecurity crea
ted by this unfortunate state of affairs must
paralyze industry, cripple commerce, and impair
the national credit. m a8s Lna
Many of the citizens of Alexandria who hearc
my address to them in October, 1860, know
) that no man in the Commonwealth had les.
! sympathy with secession, or disunion, than my
: SELF But it is time now to bury those old diff
ferences in oblivion, and to look to the presen
!, and the future. The Southern people have &C
: copied the results of war in good faith. The.
have abolished slavery-repudiated the Con
federate debt, and abandoned the dogma of Sc
cession They have fulfilled, to the letter, al
the conditions which were required Of them, a
prerequisites to full restoration to their consti
S tutional rights These conditions were official.
: offered by the government of the United States
; and formally accepted and performed by tn,
7 Southern States [ hold, therefore, that til,
d United States authorities cannot, now, withou
+ sacrifice of honor and good faith, recede from
r the bargain they made with the States of thu
. South e,s f.3 .. sa 4sg aa.
:, Fla spirit of justice and magnanimity be dis
u played by the people of the north towards thos
L of the south, old wounds will soon be healed
e. old animosites will die out, and under the in
: fuence of the many ties which bind the section
together, peace prosperity, and happiness vii
soon be re-established throughout our borders
y The practical question to be decided by tn
q people of the North and West in the comm,
elections is, whether they prefer angry passions
I anarchy and disunion and probably bloodshet
on the one hand, Or tranquility, fraternity, ant
a restored union on the other .s- d =
II God grant that this decision may be controlled
d by wisdom, justice and catholic patriotism.
3 Very respect'y your obi servt,
- ALEX. FL. H. STUART