The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1870-05-05
Public Meeting.

On Saturday night last, a public meeting OF
the citizens of Staunton, was held In the Court
house for the purpose of expressing their grief
at the loss Of lives occasioned by the dread
disaster which occurred in Richmond on
Wednesday last, and their heartfelt sympathy
for the bereayed and suffering. s3s
On motion Of N. K. Trout, Esq, Hon. A.
H. H. Stuart was called to the chair, and r.
Mauzy and w. II. H. Lynn were appointed. to
act as Secretaries.
In feeling and touching remarks, admirably
suited to the sad occasion, the Chairman ex-
planned the object Of the meeting.
Judge H. W.. Shelley then addressed the
meeting in an appropriate and eloquent man
ner predatory to offering the following pream-
BILE and resolutions - ss.
Whereas, on Wednesday the 9th day Of
April, by the falling Of the flooring Of the
Court Room, in the Capitol in Rich mond,
several hundreds of persons were precipitated
into the Hall Of the House of Delegates, many
of whom were instantly killed, and greater
number wounded, some MORALLY and others
more or less seriously and whereas, in view
{ of this frightful disaster, which has entaled
unspeakable sorrow upon the relatives ana
friends of its victims, has spread sadness ana
gloom over the entire Commonwealth, and sent
a thrill of horror throughout the entire coun-
try. eliciting as it has done, expressions Of pro-
found coincidence from distant portions OF the
United States-the citizens Of Staunton have
met together, to express their sense OF this
grieyous affection, and their sorrowing sympa-
! thies in this universal bereavement; and
whereas the Governor Of the Commonwealth
has appointed Wednesday next, as 3 day OF
humiliation and prayer, to the end that our
people may, in meet and proper manner, with
stricken spirits, bow in submission to Gods in
L y To
even in the midst Of His most affective dis
pensations, and invoke His grace anu strength
to enable them to walk humbly before Him,
18th child-Nke faith and love and whereas it
becomes us, who share in this common sorrow,
to take part with others in reverent acts Of
self abasement, and in fervent supplications to
our Heavenly Father for the continuance OF
His goodness and mercy to US as a people,
Therefore,
l. Resolved, That the citizens Of Staunton
have heard, with profound senslbilty, and
with grief, which no form of words can ex-
press. Of the terrible calamity which has be-
fallen their brethren in Richmond that they
mourn, with personal sense Of sorrow, over
the sudden destruction Of so many precious
and yaluables lives, and the painful sufferlngs
of SO many, who are manned aid wounded,
and they tender to the widows, and orphans,
to the bereaved and suffering ones, their heart
felt sympathy, and their fervent prayers for
God s mercies to them, in the midst oftheir af
fictions. sfa
! End Resolved That the Clergy and citizens
Of the City and County be requested, in obe-
dience to the recommendation Of the Cover
nor. to observe Wednesday next as a day Of
humiliation and prayer; that all places of bus
mess be closed-that the houses Of public wor-
ship be opened, and that the people assemble
therein, and, devoutly led by their Clergy in
services appropriate to the OCCASION, unite in
bowling humbly before the chastenings Of the
Lord, and invoke His restoring smiles and con-
solutions.
3rd. Resozved, That the chairman Of this
such number as he may deem expedient, to re-
ceiye contributions from the citizens of the City
and County to be forwarded to Richmond for
the relief Of the sufferers, and Of those who
have been left destitute by this calamity.
| The chair appointed the following to consti-
tute the Committee Judge H. w. Shelley,
Robt. W. Burke, Gen. John Echols, James
Bumgardner, COL Bolivar Christian. }. G.
Marquis, John B. Evans, Col. NJ. G. Harman,
Col Geo. Baylor, r. G. Bickle, D. A Kayser,
r. M. Gushing, H. II. Peck, VIM. II. H..
Lynn, P. Byron Hssgv, D. G. McGuf6n
! 4th. Resolued That the proceedings OF tins A.
Civ Of Staunton and the City of Richmond.
In seoonding the motion for the adoption Of
the preamble and resolutions, Gen. John Ech-
OILS gave expression to impressive and eloquent
remarks. The Chair then submitted the pre-
amble. and resolutions to the vote Of the meet
Ing. when they were adopted unanimously. T.
In response to the sentiment expressed by
the Chairman, which was echoed by both the
other speakers, and which struck responsive
| chord in the bosoms Of all present, Judge Shef.
fey added the 3rd resolution above to the 9TH
ers previously prepared by him.
A. H. Fl. STUART, Chairman.
R. MAUzY, Secretaries
w IT. IT, LYNN rs 8tn al!