The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-06-20

control and govern themselves In the
midst OF dangers and civil cOmmO-
ton. and when they were cut OF
from all government and control OF
the legal authorities at the state capt
tai at Richmond. abandoned by the
circuit court Judges, and were
thrown on their own resources and
compelled to take matters in hand
in the interest OF law and order for
their own protection. with n Arm re-
solve that under no circumstances
would they abandon the flag Of their
fathers.
In tho midst Of all this confusion
the county courts were held as usual
and officials continued to discharge
their duties.
In order TO show the conditions Of
affairs and to record the actions Of
the people Of Harrison county In this
grave crisis there will be given the
action OF public meetings, in order
that these stirring times that so
much appealed to the loyalty and
manhood OF all concerned can be in
some measure preserved for future
generations.
The slave states regarded the cleo
tIOn OF Mr.. Lincoln as blow at the
system Of slavery. and instantly the
threats OF BecesSiOn from the union
were made and public meetings be-
gun to be held to express their SEN
ttments upon the political situation.
After the presidential election the
first public expression OF opinion Of
Harrison county was yet forth In a
mass meeting held Mt Clarksburg on
the twonty-fourth OF November, 1860.
which declared that the people would
FIRST exhaust all constitutional rene
dies for redress before they would
resort to any violent measures; that
the ballot box was the only medium
known to the constitution for a re.
dress OF grievances and to II alone
would they appeal. and that II was
the duty OF all citizens to uphold and
support the lawful constituted au.
thorities.
The next meeting Of the union peo-
pie was held at Clarksburg January
10. 1861. to nominate two delegates
from Harrison county to the conven.
tiOn, which by an act OF the legisla-
tuTe were to be elected to meet in
Richmond as above stated. The meet
ing was presided over BY Charles
Lewis with DIR. David DAVIDSON as
secretary.
After passing resolutions announc-
ing devotion to the union, and that
they would adhere to II for veal or
woe" they adopted the following plat.
form upon which their candidates
should stand:
Resolved, That we will support no
man as delegate to the convention
TO be he'd in RlChmOnd on The thir-
tc"ntL day Of ErA'u' next, who
is not uneQuivocally opposed to Sc
ccssiOn and will not so pledge him
self.
Resolved. That we will support
no man who will not pledge himself
to oppose and vote against the ap-
appointment OF persons to repre-
sent this state. in any convention.
having for It's object the establish.
ment of provisional or other gov
eminent. or Of persons to any body
conycIcd for the purpose Of forming
n southern confederacy or govern
mont.
Resolved, That we will support no
msn who will not riedEe him,ll. to
vote against any ordinance. resolu-
ton or motion that has for its OBJ
ject the withdrawal OF the state from
the federal union.
Resolved, That we will Support
no man who will not pledge himself
to vote against any resolution to be
laid down as an ultimatum, and the
refusal Of which by the other states
to be considered just cause for Sc
cedinH from tho union.
Resolved. That we will not support
any man who believes that the con-
vention to assemble At Richmond on
the thirteenth day Of February, 1851.
or any other state authority can nb-
solve the citizens OF this state from
their allegiance to the general gov
crnmcnt: and that We Will support
no man who does not believe that the
federal government has the right of
self preservation,
Resolved. That we will support no
man who will not oppose all delib-
Grafton and discussion by tho men,
hers OF said convention in secret sos
Bion."
The Hon. William A. Harrison
read the proceedings of an enthusIas-
ticunion meetlngheld on Friday even
Ing at Shinnston in which members
OF all political parties participated.
declaring their devotion to the union
and their opposition TO secession.
Upon the platform adopted the
Hons. John S. CarIiIe and Charles
5, Lewis were nominated as candI-
dates for members OF the convention.
The States Rights party nominated
Robert Johnston and benjamin Will
son AS delegates to the convention
by meeting held in January, 1861.
Mr.. Johnston issued lengthy cir
cular to the voters taking the ex-
IRENE southern view OF the condition
OF affairs, denounced in severe terms
the black Republican party" and the
people Of tho northern states gener-
ally and stated that Mason and Dix
on's line ran north and west OF his
feelings and opinions.
The campaign was short, hut the
candidates issued circulars defining
their views and addressed the people
at different places In the county and
the election resulted in the choice of
John 5. Carlisle and BENJAMIN VII.
son as delegates to- the Richmond