Unconditional Union Meeting.
August 24, 1863
Pursuant to notice a meeting of the unconditional Union men of the 4th Ward was held in the Rough and Ready Hose House, on Saturday evening, for the purpose of settling the business of the New State Club, and to take into consideration what was best to be done in regard to a Congressman for this district.
After the transaction of business of a purely local character, on motion E. C. Jeffers, Edward Reid and Thomas O'Brien were appointed a committee to draft resolutions. The committee retired, and James E. Wharton, Esq., being present, was called upon and delivered an effective address, which was listened to attentively and frequently applauded. In the course of half an hour the committee returned and reported the following resolutions, which were, after much spirited but good humored debate, in which all persons present participated, unanimously adopted.
Whereas, The enemies of our Government have succeeded in electing to the next Congress many members who stand pledged before the country to oppose the present administration in its efforts to crush out the existing wicked rebellion in the Southern States, and
Whereas, The organs of the treasonable party here and elsewhere claim that two of the three members which West Virginia is entitled to will be of their political faith, and by whose votes they hope to elect Fernando Wood Speaker of the next House of Representatives, therefore,
Resolved, That we will not support any man for a seat in Congress who is not in perfect sympathy with the war measures and policy of the administration against rebels and traitors, and who will not pledge himself to a faithful and unwavering support of the same.
Resolved, That if West Virginia send two copperheads to the next Congress the member from the first district will not be one of them.
Resolved, That in order to secure the election of a thorough Union man, it is in our opinion necessary to have a district convention, and we most respectfully remend that one be held in the town of Moundsville, Marshall county, on Wednesday September 30th at 11 o'clock A. M., and we earnestly hope the Union men of the various counties comprising the district will send delegates thereto.
Resolved, That we recommend that a county convention be held in the Court House in the city of Wheeling on Saturday September 26th, for the purpose of choosing delegates to represent the county in the district convention, and the various wards in the city magisterial districts in the county are requested to send delegates to said county convention.
Resolved, That S. A. Heaton, Edward Reid, E. Hubbs, Joseph D. Britt and Horace Gray are a committee with full power to call all future meetings &c., until otherwise ordered by the club.
Resolved, That the foregoing preamble and resolutions be published in the Daily Intelligencer, and all loyal papers in the district are hereby requested to copy.
Harvy Hall, President.
Thos. G. Britt, Secretary.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: August 1863