Brooke County Meeting.
March 26, 1863
At a New State Meeting of the citizens of the Fowler District, on Monday evening, the 23d of March, at the Stone School House, H. Crea was chosen President, and William Fisher, Secretary.
Speeches were delivered by Rev. D. Hervey, Senator Gist, James Hervey and F. Scott, elaborating on the advantages which will accrue to the people of West Virginia, upon the ratification of the amended Constitution, as it most surely will be, upon the 26th of this month. After which the following resolutions were adopted.
Resolved, 1st. That West Virginia is largely indebted to her citizen soldiers in the army of the Unite[d State]s, for her present position as a State, and that their almost unanimous voice in favor of the establishment of a free and independent State, proves not only their patriotism, but their high position as men of intelligence.
2d. That the Union must and shall be preserved, and that West Virginia has furnished men, whose fixed purpose it is to put down treason everywhere, at home as well as in the country at large.
3d. That the general government should be sustained, and that those persons who are constanly finding fault with the National government and is measures, regardless of our own and their own interests, are wolves in sheep's clothing, and only want the proper time and place to develop fully their hostile and treasonable action.
4th. That there is no neutral ground in this war, and that he who is not for us is against us.
5th. That traitors and conspirators against either the State or Federal governments, deserve the fate of Judas or Benedict Arnold.
6th. That the government, both Federal and State, belongs only to the loyal men of the country.
7th. That we will secure in every honorable way, the success of the New State, and we would advise those persons who make such a howl about being debarred from the expression of their opinions, to examine whether they have any except those which are disloyal.
8th. That these resolutions be sent to the Intelligencer and Herald for publication.
At about 12 o'clock, the meeting adjourned. New State men are enthusiastic for its success.
H. Crea, President.
W. Fisher, Sec'y.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: March 1863