A large meeting of the citizens of
Bedford county, Va., irrespective of party, was held on the 26th of November, to deliberate upon the distracted condition of the country.
Hon. Wm. L. Goggin, chairman of the committee appointed for the purpose, reported a series of resolutions, asserting that the time has come when the rights of Southern men and the dignity of Southern States demand the repeal of all obnoxious measures and laws enacted and adopted by Northern States to prevent a proper execution of the
Fugitive Slave Law, and taking strong ground against the exercise of Congressional power to regulate commerce among the several States, so as to destroy or in any wise impair the value of any species of property whatever, declaring that no such power can be exercised having that effect, either immediately or remotely in any District or Territory of the
United States.
We copy three of the resolutions:
That whatever differences of opinion exist now, or may have existed heretofore, in respect to particular measures of general policy — and while we differ now, and may have been heretofore divided in our views, as to the choice of men for high political stations — and though we may not be agreed in regard to certain questions affecting the authority of the several States and the powers of the
General Government in other respects, yet upon the subjects to which we have adverted, we present but one undivided front now, as we shall at all times hereafter, in any invasion of our rights involved therein, or in any struggle which may ensue, to support and maintain them when they are endangered.
That we shall ever cherish an ardent attachment for the
Union of these States so long as that Union secures to us blessings it was designed to confer by its formation; and in the hope of future harmony, and with a view to our national happiness, peace and prosperity, we pledge ourselves to its support, if our rights shall be hereafter properly respected.
That appealing as we do to a source of justice — to our own rights, and to that unity which constitute us as one people for national purposes we ask that all action looking to disunion or secession be suspended for the present, trusting that reason and reflection may be substituted for hasty and inconsiderate resolves, in all sections, both North and South.
Another resolution urges a Convention of the States to propose amendments to the
Constitution, as one means of restoring peace, in conformity with the 2d clause of the 5th Article thereof, to settle all questions of doubt, and it is suggested that such Convention, if called, be held as speedily as possible in the city of
Lexington, in the
State of Kentucky.
The resolutions were advocated by
Messrs. Goggin,
Burwell and others, and unanimously adopted.
The following, offered by
Dr. R. A. Clement, was also adopted, with a few dissenting voices:
Resolved, That having entire confidence in the integrity and patriotism of our Representatives in the State Legislature, we authorize them, in the event the mode of redress embraced in the foregoing resolutions shall prove inadequate to the crisis, to adopt any other measures consistent with the principles and purposes of the resolutions.
At a public meeting of the citizens of
Harrison county, Va., held at
Clarksburg, on the 24th ult., resolutions were passed deprecating disunion and secession, and opposing any State or Southern Convention.
The meeting complained of the unfriendly action of several of the non-slaveholding States, but contended that the election of
Lincoln is not sufficient cause to break up the government.
The meeting was addressed by
Hon. J. S. Carlisle,
Col. Wilson, and others.
