PUBLIC MEETING.
August 7, 1862
At a large and respectable meeting of the citizens of Mason county, held at the Courthouse, on Monday the 4th inst., (the first day of the Quarterly Court) on motion Lewis Wetzel was called to the chair and E.M. Fitz Gerald, appointed Secretary. Governor Polsley, in a few pertinent remarks stated the object of the meeting.
The following resolutions were read and unanimously adopted:
That the loyal people of Mason county in mass meeting assembled, having heard and considered the recent stringent orders issued from the War Department, and the several orders of Maj. Gen. Pope, to the Army of Virginia, do cordially approve the same, and believe that their prompt and rigid enforcement will tent greatly to strengthen and consolidate the Union sentiment of the South and to the speedy suppression of the rebellion in Virginia and the other insurrectionary States.
And approving also, the recent call of the President for 300,000 volunteers, and anxious that West Virginia, ever loyal to the Union, should contribute her full quota, and especially that our own beloved county may maintain her well earned reputation for patriotism, and devotion to the Government of our Fathers; it is, therefore,
Resolved, unanimously, That our thanks are due to the County Court for their prompt action, to day, in levying a bounty of $30 for volunteers and providing a fund for the support of the families of volunteers, who may require aid.
That the thanks of this meeting are hereby tendered to the Representatives in Congress from Virginia, who advocated and sustained the President in all his measures for the vigorous prosecution of the war, and who advocated and voted for the confiscation law; and that those members from this State, who opposed or voted against any of the measures referred to, misrepresented the loyal people of the State, and are not entitled to their confidence.
That, Senator Carlile, by placing himself under the lead of the orator(?) Vallandingham, and aiding him in the organization of a party hostile to the policy and measures of the administration for the suppression of the rebellion, has forfeited his claim to the confidence of the unconditional Union men of the State, and abused the trust reposed in him by a loyal and confiding constituency who now demand a surrender of the trust.
That the militia of the State ought to be thoroughly organized, and drilled once a month.
That a military post ought to be established at once, in earth of the counties on the Ohio River, garrisoned by the militia of the county: The several companies in a county, alternating, so that none should be required to serve longer than a week at a time, except in emergencies.
That these proceedings be published in the Weekly Register, and all other loyal papers in Virginia.
On motion, the meeting adjourned.
LEWIS WETZEL, Chairman.
E.M. FITZ GERALD, Secretary
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: August 1862