Year: 1860

that there was gentleman present turning to Mr. Pres
toni who from his acknowledged ability and large expe
rence in public affairs was in matters of State at all
times qualified to interest and edify any audience
before whom he might appear; though Mr. W. knew
that his distinguished friend no; prepared TO hear the
call which he Mr. w then made upon him. This call
was echoed throughout the room, and Mr. Preston to
the high qualification Of the crowded court room rose
and in speech Of an hour and ahals length eloqueny
responded to the call made upon him.


After deporing the causes which had led to this and
similar meetings throughout the State the distinguished
orator said that he had yielded to the atterng call made
upon him for purposes OF defamation display; but
believing that darker cloud now walls our political ho.
rzon than any which has heretofore obscured it, he
should speak as became the gravity of the occasion and
should address himself not 10 the but to the under
standing of his audience.


With eloquent illusions to her ancient renown, the
present and future of slaveholdug Virginia was his
theme He glanced at domestic slavery in its moral as
pecs repeng the assaults at this point of the Northern
pulpit upon it, and presented some interesting and sr
king reflections in review OF those clauses of the Con-
sttution in which slavery is recognized and guarantees
given for its protection. He noticed the occasions of
slavery agitation which from time to time-commencing
with the admission of Mssouhad convused the Gown
try, and the position occupied by the Norh-showing
that upon this subject the North had occasion requr
ed shifted its ground but had always advanced with in
creasing demands whilst the South in n spirit of con-
citation and compromise, had receded until she had been
driven to the last entrenchment was now to be wa
ged against slavery it exists in the savehodng States
The speaker would make no alluson TO the Harper's
Ferry affair the principal actor in i-now auded in
the North as u hero and canonized Saint-only so
far the crimes OF that motley band of murderers and
thieves disclosed the sentiments and purposes of their in
stigators and accompccs in the North Unless there
fore said Mr. p Virginia and the slayehoding States are
prepared surrender the right never until called in
questionable right of every State OF this Union gov
ern its domestic Institutions in its way-nay, unless
a., -
the Constitution and surrender life liberty and prop
ery then are they soemnly called upon at this hour to
take their stand and to maintain 1t at every hazard
der the Constitution il can, outside of it, if we must
Looking to the state of public sentiment in the North as
developed in variety of fOrms-with knowledge OF the
wanton and ianatca crusade which they have made for
years past on the domestic institutions of the SOu-n
view Of the action OF their local authorities heretofore,
and the dispositions as recently disclosed of a large
uumbeE of their representatives, IN the present Congress
of the United States where, said Mr.. T., if these appear
auces he not altogether deusve, where shall citizen OF
Virginia any longer look but Virginia for the protec
ton of his rights? With what interest and importance
therefore should regard every step taken by private
associations of citizens or the Legislative power Of
the State which may tend to develop her resources
augment her wealth and promote her power and great
ness And the wealth and power and greatness OF Vir-
gnil ought be the aim OF every loyal son within her


mits that though the Union were to last as long as we
all hoped Virginia might continue prosperous aud free


Virginia, the first of the Thirteen in population
wealth and commerce. 80 far from preserving her ascend
aucy behind more of the Younger sister
hood reared upon territory ceded by her for the common
veal. She had been contented with Ter farming aud
planting interests TO the neglect of mining, mapuiactu.
ing, navigation and commerce. and much of the net pro-
ceeds of her labor had gone into the pockets OF the
North, a reward for their expert manipulaOns
absorbed in carriage, carriage, storage, insurance. n
sDecOns commissions and exchange. That in this form
Virginia and her sister States of the South had for
years, been paying 10 the North some twenty-five
thirty millions per annum and the North demonstrates
the advantages of free" slave labor. And sld
Mr. p until Virginia shall build up manufactures for her
SELF aud establish direct trade with European ports she
continue to pay tribute TO those who longer
pec her character regard her rights II Virginia and
the South would augment their wealth and power with
increasing that of the Northern States in the
greater ratio they must establish lines Of external
as well as internal improvement We may extend our
railroads. and still further develop the OF Vir
gnia and increase her internal trade but without drect
trade between own and European ports shall at
the time, augment the wealth aud power of the
North. Mr. 7. had been for years warmly enlisted in
the establishment of direct trade with Europe and
prepared to urge its necessity upon the people Of
Virginia with more than his wOnted zeal Mr.. =. was
understood to endorse substantially, believe in detail,
the preamble and resolutions of the meeting.


But Mr. J. regarded the Federal Constitution the
work of the pure,t patriots and west Of which
he had any knowledge in ancient modern times and
he ardenty attached to that Union which they made
so many sacrifices to form-a Union always preserved
and supported by the common counsel the common
blood and treasure, and long the common pride it
the strength and shield OF each of the
federated Soveregues which compose it. And whilst
there those who would peryert it from these ends
Mr. p still prepared to sustain and defend it at any
cost not irreconciable with the constitutional rights the
honor and equity of each and all. But Mr. p declared
it as his deliberate judgment that without change in
public sentiment and public action in the North, or
change in the internal and commercial policy of Virginia
aud the South, which might induce the North 70 pause
and reflect the consequences OF her aggressive
meuts, dssOlutionIot the Union was at no distant
day. inevitable. 1t might be that the South could only


live in peace and iraternal union with the North when
the former shall become prepared to live independently
OF the latter. Individuals and communities who
always able well always determined TO repe of
aggression by force rarely asSed without just pro-
VOCATION and 1t becomes Virginia whether she contem
plates resistance or submission union or disunion to
multiply her manufactures aud extend her commerce.
that she may at all times and in every emergency the
more safely rely upon her own resources


1t is due to Mr.. p say that this is but very imper
feet SKETCH made from memory, Of of the views
give his words and the writer may have misunderstood
ceived some of the positions assumed.


Upon the conclusion of Mr. Preston's address, the
reading of the preamble and resolutions again called
unanimously adopted


On motion, the meeting then adjourned.


GEORGE HAlRSTON, Chairman.


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