THE MEETING AT CAMERON.
August 13, 1862
Editors Intelligencer
Pursuant to previous notice, on Saturday last, August 9th, a large and enthusiastic meeting of the patriots of Marshall and other counties - also, many citizens of Greene county, Pa., - came together at the pleasant little village of Cameron, on the B. & O. R. R., twenty-eight miles east of your city, for the purpose of lending a helping hand in this, the hour of our country's peril.
The meeting was organized by calling James Burley, Esq., to the Chair.
Wm. Griffith, Jas. Garven, David Easton and Elias Willyerd were appointed Vice-Presidents.
The object of the meeting was explained by the President in a very appropriate manner.
Major McPhail, of Maryland, was introduced and gave vent to his patriotism in a stirring appeal to the people. His sentiments were of the nobles kind, and while speaking was frequently interrupted by the huzzas of the audience.
A. J. Buchannon Esq., of Waynesburg, Pa., followed and spoke at length upon the all absorbing topic of the day. He discards party feeling in such a crisis as this, and calls upon all Union loving people to bear a part in this our struggle to crush out the hideous monster rebellion. To give his address due notice would require too much space, and perhaps worry the patience of the printers.
F. Smith Esq., of Mannington, was then introduced. We presume this gentleman is too well known in West Virginia, to need much comment; suffice to say, he is an able speaker, and his speech was received by the audience with great applause.
Marshall County has been and is still acting her part nobly. Between 40 and 50 persons gave their names voluntarily to fight for the glorious old Union.
The Committee on resolutions reported, and the following were unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS, The President of the United States has called for an addition of 300,000 volunteers to fill up the old regiments, and to strengthen the present military force now engaged in the suppression of this wicked rebellion; and, whereas, it is the duty of all citizens of the United States, while enjoying the blessings, protection and benefits of the General Government, to uphold and support said government in its efforts to suppress said rebellion and preserve the Union; therefore
Resolved, 1. That it is the duty of every citizen of this county to use all lawful means to aid the President in the suppression of this rebellion, and that we call upon the young men of Marshall county to respond immediately to the call of the President a[n]d not wait to be drafted.
2. That it is the duty of every citizen to contribute, so far as in his power, means for the support of the families of those who voluntarily go to aid in the suppression of the rebellion; and as we have traitors among us, it is the duty of the County Court to tax said traitors, that they may contribute to the support of a Government whose strong arm has so long protected them.
3. That those persons in our midst who are apparently in favor of the prosecution of this war, and denounce the acts of the administration in regard to it, are rebels at heart, and d [sic] serve the execration of every good Union man, and forfeit the protection of the Government both State and Federal.
4. That we cordially approve and endorse the Administration of President Lincoln, and the policy which he has adopted for the suppression of this infamous rebellion, and that we would suggest to him to use all proper and lawful means in his power for the overthrow of this Southern oligarchy, that we of West Virginia will stand by him, come weal or come woe, in all his legitimate efforts to maintain the Government.
5. That we call upon Congress at its next session to admit West Virginia into the Union, without further delay; that the people of East Virginia have always held the West in bondage and treated us as their vassals; and that they now despise us for our loyalty to the Government of the Uni[ted] States. We therefore call upon Congress to cut the gordian knot at once.
6. That we heartily endorse the course pursued by W. T. Willey, W. G. Brown, Whaley and others, for the support given in behalf of West Virginia, and that we hereby tender our sincere thanks, assuring them we will remember them with grateful hearts.
7. That we endorse and ratify the bill as passed the Senate, and now pending in the House of Representatives for the admission of West Virginia into the Union.
8. That we tender our thanks to Senator Wade and others, for their noble and manly support of the bill for the admission of West Virginia.
9. That as John S. Carlile has proved recreant to the trust reposed in him by the people of West Virginia, we denounce him as a traitor to his constituents, his State, and his country, and request all loyal men not to countenance, and hereafter withhold all support from him.
10. That we demand the unconditional resignation of John S. Carlile.
11. That we request the Governor of West Virginia to have the oath of allegiance administered to every citizen of West Virginia.
12. That our motto first, last, and forever, is the Union, the whole Union, the Constitution and the enforcement of the laws.
13. That this meeting has heard with deep regret of the death of the Rev. Gordon Battelle, Chaplain of the 1st Virginia Regiment, and we sincerely sympathize with his bereaved family in their irreparable loss and deeply deplore the great loss to his country in this her hour of peril. In him were beautifully blended those high and enobling qualifications that rendered him the object of the people's incessant admiration. He was a christian [sic] without guile, a patriot without dissemulation [sic], and a gentleman without ostentation. West Virginia mourns his loss.
14. That the proceedings of this meeting be published in the Wheeling Intelligencer and Wheeling Press, and all other loyal papers in West Virginia are requested to copy.
On motion a vote of thanks was returned to the speakers for the noble and patriotic manner in which they addressed the audience.
JAS. BURLEY, Esq., President.
W. GRIFFITH,
JAS. GARVEN,
DAVID EASTON,
ELIAS WILLYERD,
Vice Presidents.
J. H. PIPES,
DR. S. B. STIDGER,
Secretaries.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: August 1862