The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-07-31
a Reconstruction Meeting.

of all parties, without regard to race or col
or, held at the Court House on Monday July
29th, 1867. On motion of Jacob Bear jr.,
John Yates was called to the chair, and Geo.
w. McCutchen elected Secretary.
The object Of the meeting beng fully ex
planned by Mr.. Fultz, upon his motion a
Committee Of FIVE were appointed by the
Chair, to draft resolutions, expressive OF the
sence of the meeting. The following gen
tlemen were appointed David Fultz Esq,
Samuel Cline, Samuel Driver whites, Phillip
Rosselle and Benz. Downey, colored. The
Committee retired and in short time return-
cd, reporting the following preamble and res
olutions.
This meeting, deeply impressed with the
Importance OF speedy restoration OF the
people to their political rights, and to have
once more elected over them Government
of their own choice; securing to all the bless
ings Of peace and prosperity and heartily
approving Of the Convention proposed to be
held in the city Of Richmond on the LIST Of
Aug, to take into consideration the important
subject Of reconstructing the State Govern
ment, and restoring the Union. Therefore
be it Resolved:
LIST. That it is the imperative duty OF every
good citizen, of all parties and without dis
tinction Of color, promptly and in good faith,
to give their aid to the work of reconstruc-
ton, in accordance with the requirements Of
the Military Bills
End, That the only security for our Re-
publican institutions is speedy reunion Of
all the States, under demonstration Of the
Tn ted States.
Sd, That the Constitution of the United
States is the Supreme law Of the Land, and to
the extent of the powers delegated, BY it,
every citizen owes allegiance first to that
government: and it is only in reference to
| the reserved powers that his allegiance is
due to the State Government.
4th, That David Fultz Esq, the Rev. Geo.
A. Shuey, and Maj. John Yates, white, Benz.
Downey and Aron Shoveler, colored, be APP
pointed delegates to represent this Meeting
in the Convention to be held in Richmond on
LIST Of August next.
5th, That the Newspapers of Staunton,
and the Richmond Wing be requested to
publish the proceedings of this meeting.
JOHN YATES, President.
| GEO. W. McCuTcnEN, Secretary.
Our Young Men.
1 In its last in speaking of our young
men, the Southern Planter gives wholesome
advice in the following remarks.
"It is plainly the duty of our young men
to meet this pressing exigency. They con-
stitute the only remaining resource for the
immediate supply Of any considerable amount
Of labor. Let them strip themselves for the
conflict; let them troll up their sleeves" and
''gird up their loins" for the noble work Of
resuscitating Virginia from her present par
alyzcd and PROSTATE condition let them la
Dor with the same self denial and indomitable
courage and perseverance with which they
went forth to meet her assailants in the stern
conflicts of the battle field, and the work will
soon be accomplished. The openings for the
employment of our young men in their ac-
customed occupations are all filed to repletion
and there yet remains large number with
out employment. 10 continue in idlencss-
demoralizing and cnervating idlenoss-is a
thing to be abhorred by every ingenious, high
minded, honorable young man, and to cat
the bread Of dependence ought to to be more
calling to his pride than the performance of
comparatively mental duties, if such were
necessarily to be encountered, in pursuing the
very laudablc object Of obtaining for him
self an honest livelihood and in promoting
with patriotic ardor and disinterestedness the
honor and prosperity Of the State, But nc
such humiliation awaits our young men,
They will rather add dignity to their calling
and bring to their aid an array Of educated
intelligence which will greatly accelerate the
march Of Improvement. They will soon ac-
quire degree of practical skill, which, aided
by their superior knowledge, will guide them
in the introduction and management of such
mechanical helps as their own enlightened
experience may suggest Or the inventive ge-
MUS Of the country may supply, and thus
contribute to tighten the burden of human
toll, remit the mind from the drudgery of de-
basing labor, and elevate it into the more on
nobling spheres of activity, where aocretion
of strength is gained by the exercise Of its
powers, and where it successfully conseryes
the progress Of society in civilization, wealth
and social happiness We reserve for fu-
ture number what we have to say OH the sub
jects of immigration and the subdivision of
our lands.
| During the reading Of the message not the
| slightest manifestation of disrespect was
eyinced. On the contrary, it seen ed that
members, though, coerced by the force of
party necessity to sustain the bill by their
II