Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-08-13
MASS MEETINGS.

Pursuant to call, a mass meeting was held
at this place on Saturday last, comprising
evory shade of opinion for the specific and sole
purpose of discussing the merits and dement's
of the New and Old, or existing, Cohstitu.
tons. The meeting was called to order by
Hon. w. 81. Travers, and Hon. VIM. Lucas
was called to the chair. Upon taking the
chair Mr.. Lucas made few appropriate re-
marks, stating the purpose of the meeting,
and briefly giving his own views with regard
to the necessity of ratifying the proposed
constitution. Mr. Gloon Moore was then
made secretary, and the meeting proceeded to
business.
Speakers had been appointed by the Exec
utive Committee, in behalf of tho new Con-
stitution, but upon the announcement that
there were gentlemen present who desired to
speak against the new, and in favor of the
old Constitution, the Chairman decided that
the Parliamentary rule should be observed
giving the affirmative the closing speech.
Mr.. Travers, whose name was among the
first on the list of speakers, requested that a
change might be made in his favour, allowing
him to follow tho gentlemen who were to
speak against the new Constitution, as it was
we'll known he was nnomber of tho Consti-
tutional Convention, and, therefore, the most
suitable person to answer the objections to m
instrument which he had helpod to Frame
The change of order was made, and Mr..
Butcher called on to open the discussion
We regret that We havo neither space nor
timo to give an account Of Mr.. Butchers
speech. Suffice it to say, it was worthy of the
subject, and of the gentleman who delivered
it. Mr.. Butcher was followed by Mr.. Charles
Davies, of Harper's Ferry, in behalf of the
old Constitution. Mr.. DIS delivery was good,
and his speech, to some degree plausible, but
not at all conclusive; as was clearly shown by
Mr.. Travers, who in an animated and eloquent
address, fully met and answered every obiec-
ton urged by Mr.. D., and ended by thanking
thepeople for their confidence in choosing him
delegate to the Convention, and stating that
1T was his proudest privilege to say that he
had endeavoured to represent them to the best
of his ability, and he thought he had done 60,
in giving his vote for the salutary measures
of the new Constitution.
The debate being virtually ended, there
were enthusiastic calls upon the Chair, to which
Mr.. Lucas promptly responded. He went
into no analytical argument of the subject,
but spoke of the new Constitution as a meas.
ure that all true and honest men should sup
port, in order to redress the grievances from
which so many of us had suffered. The fer
vid and impassioned style of Mr.. LIS. speech
fully accounts for the great influence he
welded from tie stump and before jury
He was frequently interrupted by rounds of
applause and closed amid enthusiastic cheers.
His address created q spirit Of enthusiasm
which argues we'll for the new Constitution.
The meeting was very orderly, with tho ex-
ceptlon OF an attempt made by few over
jealous gentlemen to interrupt Mr.. Davies,
but which was promptly suppressed. And
just here we beg leave to say to our fellow
citizens of Charostown, that if these inter,
ruptions at mectings-witness, our primary
meeting, and the Convention at which Mr..
Beltzh hoover, who enjoys personally the re-
spect OF the community, was so rudely treated
AFRO continued, our town will gain very un-
enviable reputation.