Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-04-12
Political Meeting.

"A Union meeting composed of the true friends
of President johnson was held at the Western
Hotel, in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, on
Monday, 2nd day of April. The meeting was
organized by calling Mr.. THOMAS T. TUR-
NER to the Chair, and appointing w. L. HER
tRINGToN, Secretary.
A committee OF two was appointed 10 DRAFT
resolutions expressing tie sense of the meeting
on the political issues of the day. The COM
mttee retired aud after brief absence reported
through their Chairman the following Preamble
and Resolutions, which were unanimously
adopted: .fr.f,r, .fe
= Whereas, the President has called upon all
lthe Union-loving people of the country to sus-
| tain.him in his efforts to restore the Govern
riert to its former constitutional and harmoni-
Gus workings, and to maintain the Union.of all
the States under the broad shield of the Consti-
.,tution, it is eminenty st and proper that we, a
portion of the Union-ioving and conservative
citizens of Jefferson County, believing that who
everis not for the President isagainst the Union,
in meeting assembled do, i.
Resolre, That it is not only the right; but the
duty of citizens of a free Government, at all
times, to give expression to their opinions in all
matters relating to public affairs.
Resolred, That We approve the views ex-
pressed by the President in his veto message
on the = Freedmen's Bureau Blu in his speech
of the 22d February last; that weapplaud his
efforts to restore the integrity Of the Union, and
to reinvest the people thereof with the rights
and privileges guaranteed to them by the
Constitution of the United States, and promise
him our cordial supportand heartiest assistance
and cooperation in every effort he may make
to that end. IA e4i Az
Resolrcd, That it is indispensable for the fu-
ture peace and prosperity of the Federal Union
that the States lately in rebellion but now ODE
| dent to the Constitution should be permitted
to enjoy all the rights conferred upon them, by
that instrument that taxation and representa-
ton should go hand in hand the one without
the other is tyranny and contrary to the genius
of republican government.
RESOLVED, That we deprecate the spirit that
animates the Radical party in this State and
The animus shown by the Legislature IN It's
passage Of the proposed amendment to the
Constitution" depriving so many of our best
citizens ofthe rights Of citizenship and suffrage
and in the :. Registration Law" acknowledged
to be Unconstitutional and retrospective in its
action as tending to hinder the Presldentin his
policy OF. restoration and to postpone, II not to
destroy altogether, the prospects OF the return
of good feeling and prosperity to the State, be-
lieying that the only true test of Loyalty TO the
Union is in actions and not in words.
Resolred, That the President by his recent
veto of the Bill entitled the Civil Rights Bill,
nassed by both Houses of Congress, has given
ms the strongest assurance Of his determination
10 stand firmly by the Constitution, and as fal
as he can thwart the measures of those who
would otherwise destroy it, Therefore be II
further
Resolred, That we believe il is the bounder
duty of every lover Of his country at this par
tcular crisis in our public affairs, to rally around
our " Noble President, and by our support tc
aid him all we can in his manly efforts against
a radical Congress that seems disposed to legis-
late forthe benefit Of thenegro alone to the tota
exclusion of the white man, so that by oul
united support he may be further encouraged
to persevere in the good work he has already
begun. s-fr-r,
! The large and attentive audience was adj
dressed by Capt Andrews and Major Yellot'
of Martinsburg, in eloquent and forcible speech
les. declaring the policy of the Radicals lestruc-
tive of the Union of the States and opposed &c
peace and harmony.
The course Of the Radical party in this State
was discussed at some length, and their policy
and acts held up in their true light before the
people, showingthat they were bitterly opposed
to the restoration policy of the President and
instead Of harmonizing the people of this State
and restoring peace and concord, were laborins
with all their might to prevent peace and. to es-
tabish government by a small minority by
passing unjust and unconstitutional laws.
THOMAS T. TURNER, Chm.
W. L. HERRrseroS, Secretary.
--,--a Il - -T % - lad