The Daily Dispatch: March 25, 1861., [Electronic resource]

The meeting at Chester, on Saturday last, was well attended by the people of the county. Owing to the short notice, and the accumulation of business on Saturdays among people in cities, there were but few from either Richmond or Petersburg. The meeting, therefore, was purely a county meeting.

The meeting was called to order, and the Rev. Chas. W. Friend was appointed Chairman, and James L. Snead, Secretary. At 12 M., precisely, the flag was raised by Mr. Travers Daniel, of Petersburg, who, having some experience as an "old salt," fixed it "sailor fashion"--that is, all in a lump, and hauled it to the top of the pole. The cord securing it was then pulled by Mrs. Poindexter, and the breeze spread it out amid the rapturous cheering of the men and applause of the ladies. The flag had been prepared by Mr. B. F. Luiday, the proprietor of the hotel, and while it is in all respects after the model of the flag of the Southern Confederacy, yet, the hope that Virginia will soon be added to the constellation of the seven, he had another star placed in the bottom of the Union, with but two points showing, to represent the State as just emerging from the darkness.

After the raising of the flag, the Chairman introduced the Hon. D. C. Dejarnette, and after him Mr. Hall, of Wetzell. Both of these gentlemen spoke very well, and received the close attention of the audience, and renewed and loud applause. At 2 o'clock, dinner was announced, and the company sat down to an excellent bill of fare, among which we saw traces of Charley Hunt, and other worthies "of that ilk," united with the native cookery of a gentleman who presided at the end of a table, and gravely insisted that everybody should eat roast pig. After dinner, the meeting re-assembled, and the ladies had again filled the long piazza of the hotel. Messrs. Pennybacker, of the Legislature, and H. Clay Pate, Esq., of the Petersburg Bulletin, delivered brief, but eloquent speeches, in favor of the secession of Virginia. At the close of Mr. Pate's address, the Chairman laid before the meeting the following preamble and resolutions, which were adopted by acclamation:

Whereas, we, a portion of the people of Chesterfield, in a public meeting assembled, deeming it a duty of a free people at all times, in their primary assemblies, to express their opinions upon all grave and important questions involving their interests and rights, and believing, from recent developments, that the time has now arrived when Virginians should resume all power heretofore delegated to the Federal Government; Therefore,

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting that Virginia should, through the action of her Convention now sitting in Richmond, immediately pass an Ordinance of Secession from the Federal Union, and submit the same to the qualified voters of the State for ratification.

Mr. Henry Winfree then offered the following:

Resolved, as the sense of this meeting, that the State of Virginia ought at once to become a member of the Southern Confederacy, and that our representatives in the Convention be informed of their opinion.

This resolution was opposed by Captain James H. Cox, and a substitute offered in its place. The merits of the two resolutions were discussed by Capt. Cox, in favor of the substitute, and M. Burfoot, Esq., and Mr. Edwin Cox, in favor of the resolution, and Capt. Cox having withdrawn his substitute, the resolution was adopted with only one dissenting voice.

On motion of Mr. Gill, it was

Resolved, That our Senator and Delegate in the Legislature of Virginia be requested to offer, in their respective branches of the Legislature, a proposition providing that the sense of the people be taken at the spring election, as to whether Virginia shall go North or South.

W. B. Gates, Esq., offered the following resolution, prefacing it with the remark that, as he did not vote for Mr. Dejarnette, he took greater pleasure in expressing at this time and place his satisfaction at the course pursued by him, especially in regard to the great question of the day:

Resolved, That we approve of the course of the Hon. D. C. Dejarnette, our representative in the Congress of the late United States, especially in regard to all questions relating to the separation of our State from the Federal Union; and laying aside all the old distinction of parties, we fully endorse the sentiments which he has expressed on this occasion, and deeply regret that they are not fully acted up to by the Convention now in session in Richmond.

The resolution was adopted unanimously.

On motion of Mr. Edwin Williams, it was

Resolved, That the thanks of this meeting be tendered to the Hon. Mr. Hall, of Wetzel, for the able address delivered to-day, and that we offer him a cordial welcome to the hospitalities and friendship of the people of Chesterfield.

Short addresses were then made, in response to calls, by Messrs. Friend, Nash, Ruffin, and others, and, after adopting a resolution of thanks to the Chairman and Secretary, the meeting adjourned sine die.

The Armory Band enlivened the assemblage with good music.