The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1870-05-30
The Whittemore Club.
Written for The Democratic
NUMBER ELEVEN.

journment-all the members being PFes-
cnt. Your Reporter taking seat under
tho south cast window on pile of old
boards, using his knee for table.
The Club was called to order by the
President, Mr.. Sugurfoot, at whose re-
quest tho Rev. Mr.. Lightscorch opened
with prayer, which made upin length
what it lacked in ability.
Mr.. GRANT found himself unable to
read the minutes Of the last meeting as
prepared by the Deputy, j. G. Lurk,
and that gentlemen accordingly read
thenp..iu bis usual melliftluous manner.
Mr.. GYMpsoS rose to a privilege ques-
ton and said if,hcre was not some meth
Cd adopted for keeping the proceedings
out Of that "dirty pExocaAr," he would
withdraw from The organization. lie
would take his davy that it was worse
than it used to be, and that lots of Demo-
Gratis had quit trading at his store, just
because be had been un active member Of
the Club, and this thing had to stop
lie couldn't afford to be radical unless it
paid, and it was getting IL be losing
business.
His remarks we're listened to with grave
attention, and bis vivid picture Of lost
custom was cordially endorsed ~ Mr.
Huntington. who emitted deep, SORROW
full groan
There being no business before the
Club, Mr.. Crawley arose to bis feet and
proceeded to explain bis position. He
said:
Mr.. CHAIRMAN IL understood that
some member Of this Club, whose loyalty
I doubt, has been slandering me aud say
ing that was disloyal in 1851. Now as
I have heard considerable clamor about
this 'sre. with the permission Of this body,
>: speesss e isss fait anu rec cOuios-
sion.
Nj. Bo,sRop-I move that Mr.. Craw-
10y be allowed to confess.
Mr.. D. G. Lruk-I second that mo.
ton, rs l wish to make confession my.
self.
The motion carried.
Mr.. Crowley then arose aud addressed
the Club as follows:
Mr.. PRgslpESr-In 1861, when I seed
that war was inevitable and bound tt
como, / took calm view Of tho matter
and seen that it was to DO war simply
for the abolition Of the right to hold
slaves, and knowing. from my profound
study ofthc Constitution Of tue Uuitc,
States that it gave tina. right to so man,
States, I said to my friends, as did donbt
less all nJ hearers, less 60 With the Con
stitution, and defend the divine right o
slavery. Taking this bold position, I a
once became the leader Of the rebels il
Braxton county. and l used the Who'll,
forco Of my persuasive elOqueace in I'D
visiog them that Virginia, the mo.he
State, had an undoubted right to scccdc
That this was right expressly rcserve'
by her, and that further than this, il "
did not sccede, we would all be drafte,
into the Yankee army and made to 6ght
but that if We did sccedc and stand ncu
trail, then they would not modest US, an
wo could do as VIC pleased but that 70
my part if I did any fighting, it woul
be for my State. The people SWALLOWED
the bait; aud then proposed, in order t
maintain our neutrality, that We sloul
procure large number Of muskets to arr
ourselves with, aud dua ly succeeded il
getting large meeting at Sutton to tax
the natter into consideration. At thu
meeting resolutions were offered for til
County Court to levy for $4,000, to bu
arms. Iarose III the meeting, and sal
-"Gentlcmen, I believe that our count
is in imminent danger. In q few days W
will be Invaded by horde o. Nor,hcr
abolitionists who seek to destroy our live
and property, and to overthrow the disin
institution Of slavery, and make til
uncivil.sed ,iiggers our equals.' l con
tinued in this strain for half an hour, an
when the vote was taken, the resolution
were adopted and tue arms were pro
cured.
After this, l done all ccull to 60
volunteers for The rebel army, and eve
went SO far as to 60 out and force men t
come 10 and join. tried to raise com
pany Of cavalry, but when found the,
wouldn't make me Captain, quit; but
aided them all I could by feeding On,