Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1913-06-12
THE JOHN BROWN RAID
some CLIPPINGS FROM OUR
OLD FILES OF 1859.
Adjourned Public Meeting.
(Continued from last weeks

washing previous legacy was .
charge to cherish the Union. But he
meant the Constitutional Union and
none other. We receive into our hearts
with profound reverence, his wise aud
patriotic admcnition; but be never
Imsant to counsel "a, nor do we mean.
to submit basely to aggressions which
involve alike stain upon the honor
and the destruction OF the vital inter-
este OF the South; andzhe who is pre-.
pared for this latter, has no proper
place within the confines of this honor
ed old Commonwealth.
How then are we to meet the crisis
thus forced upon US? Not of course by
base submission; and it is alike true
that the question can only be definitely
settled by the people of the non. slave
holding States among themselves.
These aggessions. resulting at length
! in the shedding of the blood of our
citizens upon our own soil, came alone
from that quarter. and there the wrong
must be righted.
We know there are many sound con-
sentative and patriotic men in the North
and Northwest. But passive coDser-
yatism can no longer be regarded
i 1t is their duty to crush out the mad
spirit of fanaticism which sympathies
with John brown, tramples upon the
Constitution, and has shaken the Union
to its foundations. We devoutly hope
they may be speedily aroused TO a
sense of their duty. But in the mean
time it is our duty to prepare for the
worst,
1 Approving therefore the measures
recommended by the Governor, and
now before the Legislature, for
thoroughly organizing the militia at
large throughout the State, we especi-
ally commend to their favorable con-
sideratlon, the necessity of arming
these border counties with the most eff
fective weapons to be procured, and
the establishment of proper depot for |
munitions, in readiness at all times for
actual service
Again. The infamous Helper book,
endorsed by so large portion of those |
when the non-slaveholding States have |
constituted their representatives, and |
of course exponents Of their public |
sentiment, earnestly recommends, with |
pious impudence, non-insercourse with /
the South, neither buying from nor |
selling to US, nor social connection of |
any kind whichever.
Be it SO! This issue, self-respect de.
mands that we accept promptly, and by
following the example Of our revolu-
tionary fore-fathers in refusing to con
sumo the commodities Of their cppres-
sors, practising cheerfuliy whatever
self-denial the exigency may require,
we shall..at once rebuke the insolence
of these hypocritical traitors. and by
encouraging home productions, be the
better prepared for the future, when
the worst may have come to the worst.
and we shall have to depend upon our
own resources. And finally, but above
all, let spirit OF. harmony prevail
amongst ourselves, that, sinking all
minor difference, we may move forward
as a firmly united land, in doing what.
ever may be required to perpetuate and
consolidate that Constitutional Union
which was handed down to US from our
fathers; or if this may not be, then
that we may meet whatever awaits US /
in a manner rejecting no discredit up-
on the glorious traditions which cluster
around the name of Virginia.
Entertaining these general views
therefore
Resolved. That while we earnestly |
desire the perpetuation of the Consti-
tutional Union, framed by our fathers,
we are satisfied that its continuance |
depends upon the people of the Non
Slayeholding States speedily staying /
the tide of fanaticism which is now |
sweeping over the North and rapidly |
obliterating all fraternal feeling: And
we therefore solemnly invoke them az
they love the Union. to cease at once
their hostile movements of every de- |
scription against our institutions, and |
especially do we call upon Mass
aehusetts, Vermont, Wisconsin, and ALI |
other Northern States to change their |
legislation tending to nulify the, fugi- |
tive slave law.
End. Resolved. That the sectional
hostility of the Nom SlavehoIdipg States
which led to the reasonable invasion
! Of our soil and the atroeious murder Of
our citizens and which has since called
forth SO much Northern sympathy with
the vile murderers.
3rd. Resolved, That cessation of
all business relations between the citi-
zens of the Slave-holding States, and
the citizens Of the nen-slayehoI ding
States will not only render US independ
emit of them, but will tend to call into
action the conservative elements Of the
North, and thus strengthen the Union.
We will therefore, as far as possible,
cease purchasing any goods manufact-
ured in the non slaveholding States, or
imported through their ports-and TO
effect these objects, we recommend the
! the formations Of associations, through
out the county. and ask the co-opera-
ton of all portions Of the State.
Continued next week.
i - -s---------5---------
Deputy Sheriff Young last week