Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1871-08-22
ENTHUsIAsFIO MEETINe,

n largo and enthusiastic meeting of tho
citizens of Jefferson county, was held at .'Lee
Hall' on Friday, 18th inst Eloquent adj
dresses were delivered by Hon. A. Il. Boteler,
Hon. ThOs, NJ. Isbell and i. Willis Wilson,
Esq.
The meeting was called to order by the ap.
POintment of Capt. David II. Cockrill,
Chairman, and Gloon Moore, Secretary.
The Hon. James Barbour, Of Culpeper, was
expected to be present aud address the Meet
ing, but letter was received stating his
utter inability to do 30. It is greatly
regretted that its mastery exposition cannot
appear among the proceedings OF the meeting.
The Chairman first introduced Hon, a. II.
BOteler, so long known to our people and dis.
tinguished for his elegance of diction.-
After referring in eloquent terms to the times
when he was accustomed to appear before the
people OF this county-and asserting that he
had turned instinC;ively from politics, as tho
political field was by no means inviting, and
had been filed with men who were surprized
to find themselves in such positions declared
that nothing but an imperative sense of duty
had induced him to enter into the discussion
of this subject. For if the people do not now
seize this opportunity to establish their rights
III they allow indifference and apathy to keen
them from the polls and this Convention cali
should be deicatcd-they will have no reason
to complain. The question was should we
have Convention! The Convention will
guarantee the right of franchise, aud this of
itself Is i sufficient reason TO turn out and
vote TOR It. Now, whites men only counted in
basis OF observation-disclosures the colored
men were trusted and allowed to vote. Did not
like the ballot system of voting, warming nm
your vote, and hiding it from the light of doy.
as 1t 1t was something to be ashamed off,
Compare yOur tax bill of 1850 and 1870
Although we Owne no slaves now, yet that
OF 1870 will appear much larger. The dis,
graceful e.r post .Iacto laws had been declared
constitutional by Court Of Appeals. Other
SIarIng detects III the constitution were made
plain. The people oil Jefferson had submitted
with manly dignity to the laws although uu.
Just, UutceIlng and unconstitutional
The next speaker introduced was T.. Willis
Wilson, E-g, our efficient and popular Rep
TesCntative IN the LeGisEature-onc who has
fought persisteuI!y the Radical party, aud to
whom we are III great measure indebted for
the passage Of the Convention bill: After
referring to some of the old discussions be.
tween the Hon. gentleman who had Just taken
his seat, and gentleman from Bcrkelev, re-
minded his fellow citizens that then there was
no bitterness of feeling-but now, what a
change y faction had ruled the State, end
to the de;rimentc OF the people. His object
in trying to induce the people to vote was to
Te-estauIish their riEh's-urged the pcopl, to
put no faith in the Flick Amendment. lie
was listened to attentively throughout the de,
livery Of his speech, md tho arguments
brought forward to show the Importance of a
Convention carried conviction to the minds of
his hearers
Although not among the speakers expected,
lion: Ihos NJ lsbcll was invited upon the
stand. For about one hour lie spoke with
more than his usual cioquence-dccl that
the present Constitution IF our State had been
brought into this State, under the banner. and
at the tail end of the Federal army-a mere
transcript from constitutions OF northern
States. That it had been conceived in sin
and born in iuiquity. But he came not to
Indulge in vi'uPeratiOu-adviScd concilielory
measures. The whole tone of his speech was
Conservative, and his advice to the colored
people apparently we'll received, by few who
were standing ct the door.
d. II. COCERILL, Chm.
CLEoN MooRE, Sec'y.