Year: 1860

uuNluS tue TlSut - iesuIhtS itS ONu luISI-
ual affairs, in that way which shall seem
best to itself, and that all interference in
the affairs of one State, by citizens of any
other State, is to be condemned as con-
trary to the healthful doctrine of State
rights.


Rcsolred, That the maintenance of the
principles promulgated in the Declaration
of independence, and embodied in the
Federal Constitution, is essential TO the
preservation of our republican institutions,
and that the Federal Constitution, the
rights of the States; and the union of the
States must and shall be peserved.


The passage or this resolution was
signalizcd hy tue audience unanimously
rising to their feet.


Resolrca, That VIC regard the preserva-
tion of the American Union of the high
est object and duty of patriotism; and
while disunon doctrines are proclaimed
in the Halls of Congress by the would-be-
Democracy, we point with pride to the fact
that not a single Republican orator, not
single Republican Convention, has avowed
any design against the integrity of the
Union, even should the present Admin
istration and its corrupt policy be contin-
ued by the vote of the people.


Resolved, That with our Republican ia
thers we hold it to be self evident truth
that all men are endowed with the inalien-
able rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit
of happiness, and that the primary object
and ulterior design of our Federal Govern
ment is to secure these rights to all persons
under its exclusive jurisdiction. That as
our Republican fathers when they had abol-
ished slavery il all our national territory,
ordained that no person should he deprived
of life, liberty or property without due
process of law, it becomes our duty to
maintain this provision of the constitution
inviolatc in the Territories, and to carry
ont the axiom ''that slavery is the creature
of local law" and therefore sectional, aud
not national; conceding to each new State
the right to adopt or reject slavery for
themselves at the time they form their
constitution in order for their admission
into this UniQn.'


Resotrcd, That we are loyal to the con-
stitution and laws of our own State, ieal
Gus of her honor and prosperity and ready
at all times to defend our institutions and
soil from invasion of fanatics from either
the North or the South.


ResoIved, That while we are ready to re-
pei any oflicious interference in our inter-
nal affairs by others, and while we are
willing to abide by the federal basis of
representation in the Congress of the Uni
ted States, 1--WE hold that among citizens of
the same State there should be no ine-
quality either in tNxntion.or representation,
and that it is our right rs well as our SOL
emn duty to use all constitutional means
to obtain redress.


Resotced, That we have never been wan
ting in fcaity and Kindness to the State of
Virginia and to our Eastern brcthren.-
That we have respectfully demonstrated
Ga 10
unwarrantnble usurpation of our rights,
against those enactments which convey TO
the world the idea of our infcriority. We
have reminded them of our common blood
and common ancestry. We have appealed
to their native justice and magnanimity to
discontinue these usurpntions which must
inevitably interrupt our connection and
good feeling. And we shall regret if the
exercise of those unjust constitutional
powers shall be continued until we shall
be forced to look on them as foes instead
of rs friends.


RESOLVED, That we heartily concur i'll the
action of the lower House of Congress i'll
the passage of Homestead law, thereby
giving out of our public domain homes to
the homeless.


ReSolued, That we invite the citizens Of
Virginia who arc opposed to the present





slavery into the territories, to any Unequal
ity of rights among the sovereign citizens
of the same State, who are in favor OF re-
storing the Federal Government to the
principles of our Fathers, and of remodel
ling our State Constitution in accordance
with our Bill of Rights and the principles
of Justice. to unite with us in voting for
the candidates who may be selected by the
Republican Convention for the high offices
of President and Vice President ut the
coming election. And all citizens of Ham
cock who are favorable to these principles
nre invited to be present and take part in
the meeting to be held at the city of
Wheeling on Wednesday the 2nd day of
May next, Mt 10 o'clock, a. NJ, for the pur-
pose of appointing delegates to said ma
tional convention


RcsoIpsd, That in the resolution lately
offered in the U S. Senate by the Hon. S.
A. Douglas and in his speech thereon, in
which he seeks to abridge the freedom of
speech and of the press, we recognize n
bold attempt to revive the odious seditiOu
laws, and the covert intention of enforcing
the demands made by Commissioner Mem
minger, of South Carolina, in his speech
before the Legislature of this State, in
which he says: I'VE insist that nations
bound together as we are cannot agitatc,
and form societies to impair the institu-
tions recognized by the laws of either, and
we demand the immediate suppression of
all such societies and the return of tram
guilty to our borders There can he no
peace until they (the North) either change
their opinions or cease to take cognizancc
whatsoever OF slavery. They must re-
spcct it as they would marriage, parental
authority or any other legitimate institu-
ton of sister State"


ResoIred, That our Legislature acted
wisely in rejecting the seductive demands
of the South Carolina emissary, but we fear