October 4, 1864
It is proposed to have a Union Mass Meeting at the Court House to-morrow evening. An announcement to that effect will be found in our regular column. At the Union Club Rooms last night the following gentlemen were appointed as committeemen to take charge of all the needed arrangements, viz: His Honor, Mayor Crangle, Thos. Hornbrook, Samuel Laughlin, Andrew Glass, John Bishop, Captain Downing, J. C. Orr, John e. Wilson, John Donlen, Dr. Hupp, Capt. John McLure, Joseph Seybold, Louis Keller, Fred Myers and Jas. Bodley.
Hon. Waitman T. Willey who is at present in the city en route for Washington Pa., where he speaks to-day, will address the meeting for one, and it is hoped to have Dr. Breckenridge for another. No doubt also other qualified gentlemen will speak.
We would urge upon all our friends, especially the Committee, the necessity of entering vigorously into all the necessary details of the meeting. We can have a rousing turn out. The hearts of the people are with the Union cause and the Union party, and only the occasion is needed to afford them an opportunity to demonstrate the fact.
October 6, 1864
The meeting at the Court house last night was what we expected it would be, a glorious Union demonstration. In point of numbers and enthusiasm, intelligence and thorough going loyalty, it was all that could be desired. It was not a hurrah meeting got up with reference to sound and show, but an earnest honest gathering of the Union masses, drawn together spontaneously, we may say, to see and hear something in the way of sober fact and argument. The great crowd listened with the most devoted interest to the long and interesting speech of Mr. Willey, and their frequent, hearty and general cheers showed that they not only appreciated the many telling points that were made, but that they also loved to hear them made.
We are sure that it must have done the heart of the gallant General Heintzleman good to look from his seat upon the masses before him and to see and hear how cordial and universal were all their expressions of approbation toward himself and the flag and cause for which he has risked his life upon so many battle fields. The old hero of Malvern Hill and of Williamsburg will we are sure have a happy remembrance of the homage that was paid to himself last night ? because of his well recognized service in the great cause which his audience had so much at heart.
We rejoice to see such meetings as the one last night. Let us have more of them. The zeal is abroad among the people. All it needs is an occasion for its exhibition.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: October 1864