Kanawha
Valley Star
April 30, 1861
Public
Meeting at Guyandotte -
Flag of Virginia Hoisted
At a meeting
of the volunteer companies, citizens of Guyandotte, Va., and
vicinity, held on the 20th April, 1861, Peter C. Buffington, esq.,
presiding and Capt. H. H. Miller, secretary; a large number of
people of Cabell county being present, the flag of Virginia made
by the secession ladies of Guyandotte, and Lewis Peters, esq.,
artist, was raised on the bank of the Ohio in front of the
Planter's Hotel. It went up amid the enthusiastic applause of
the multitude and the rejoicing of the ladies, a large number of
whom were present. The flag was raised by Elijah Rickets and
John W. Ong, sr., two of the oldest citizens of the place.
Rev. St. Mark
Russell was called to address the meeting, who promptly
responded. While he was portraying the causes that should impel
the secession of Virginia, in his usual animated and eloquent
style, he was interrupted by the arrival at the wharf of a
steamer and a report that the Convention had passed the
ordinance of secession, upon which more deafening shouts now
rose on the banks of the Ohio than went up from the meeting.
Salutes were fired for the Confederate States and President
Davis.
The speaker
was again called to the stand. He rejoiced and thanked God, that
we were once again free; and in conclusion expressed the hope
that Virginia would be as united as that meeting in an hearty
approval of the action of the Convention.
L. H.
McGinnis, esq., of Logan, was then called for who rose and in a
masterly and eloquent manner portrayed the wrongs we have
endured; the unparalleled sacrifices we have made; and the
extraordinary system of legislative encouragement we have
acquiesced in towards our heretofore sister States of the North
to save a Union which he now declared is more odious than any
tyranny ever established over men.
Advertising to
the cause of the disruption, the speaker declared that it was a
duty we owe to the States themselves; that we were bound by the
most sacred obligations to conserve the institution of slavery;
it was indispensible to the civilization of the African. He
argued elaborately that we had not only the plainest recognition
in the Old and New Testament of property in slaves, but all
history proved it right and favored by Providence. The
revolution of 1776 proved it, and that of 1861 would prove it.
As our fathers
enlisted under the banner of Washington, a slaveholder, fighting
for the freedom of the white and the slavery of the black race;
we should rally under General Davis who is also a slaveholder,
against Lincoln the first, who, like George the third,
and yet bolder in his demands is opposed to African and
in favor of American Slavery. And alluding to Virginia,
and her flag waving over his head, and her great efforts to
preserve peace, he said that while the old and justly renowned
Commonwealth stood as a mediator between the
contending fires of revolution, a mercenary soldier had been
thrown into her bosom to reduce her to military subordination.
And now that she had bravely turned upon her invaders; he made a
powerful appeal to Virginians to stand by the mother of States
and her flag, and declared that he would be foremost to hang the
traitor that dared insult the flag that floated over their
heads. His sentiments were responded with the utmost enthusiasm.
B. H.
Thackston, of Cabell C. H., was called, who made a short but
patriotic defense of Virginia's rights.
Dr. A. B.
McGinnis, was called, who responded in an eloquent review of the
causes, rise and progress of resistance to abolition rule in
Guyandotte and vicinity. He had taken his stand months ago for
independence as the only cure for the political disease that
threatened the existence of our institutions and liberties.
He rejoiced to
be joined by many of those who had denounced him for his
"secession madness." He argued at length, the importance of
Union of the South; but above all unions the union of Virginia
was most essential to her salvation.
Amid the most
enthusiastic applause the meeting adjourned to the Town Hall.
G. D. Warren,
esq., was called and responded in a practical and glowing
description of the present proud position of Virginia. He
declared amid tremendous cheering, that the time for division in
Guyandotte had passed; that those who were not for Virginia in
her sovereign, independent position, were against her in toto;
and would now be marked as her enemies; that if any such existed
in Guyandotte they would be treated as traitors.
Capt. H. H.
Miller, of the Home Guard, also addressed the meeting.
Hon. William
H. Buffington responded to the call of the meeting in a brief,
practical and forcible review of the crisis. He, however, said
the time for argument had passed, and pressed in a most eloquent
manner the necessity of immediate preparations for defense. He
said he had long believed that such a crisis was inevitable.
That the Puritanic intolerant sentiment of New England, of which
he gave a most glowing description, was incompatible with the
brave and generous spirit of the Cavaliers of James river; that
could they not be united long under the form of free government.
He declared he would defend the flag of Virginia to the death;
and his sentiments were greeted with enthusiastic applause.
At the
conclusion of Dr. A. B. McGinnis' speech he offered the
following preamble and resolutions, which were unanimously
adopted:
Whereas, we
have a practical interpretation of the inaugural address of the
President elect of the late United States, in an illegal,
unnatural and mercenary war upon our sister Southern independent
States, for the purpose of subjugating them to a foreign
military despotism, and whereas, we have intelligence by report,
that the Convention of Virginia has passed the ordinance of
secession; therefore be it resolved,
1st. That we
approve the action of the Convention, if the ordinance has
passed.
2d. That in
our judgment the failure of the Convention to submit an
ordinance of secession to the people, will inevitably involve
the State in a double revolution, the like of which no parallel
is found in history.
3rd. That we
would deem it an act of political tyranny in the Convention to
withhold from the people the privilege of choosing whether their
destiny shall be with the South or with the military despotism
now being forced upon the people by the revolutionists of the so
called Lincoln Government.
4th. That in
our judgment the formal and legal withdrawal of Virginia from
her connection with the late United States, and union with the
Confederate State, is the surest, if not the only remedy for the
troubles which now environ and disturb her social and political
systems.
5th. That the
secretary cause the proceedings of this meeting to be published
in the Kanawha Valley Star, and that the Richmond papers
be requested to copy.
P. C.
BUFFINGTON, Pres't.
H. H. MILLER, Sec'y.
