John Brown raided the Arsenal at Harper's Ferry in 1859 in hopes of taking weapons to arm slaves and lead a revolt. He was arrested by U.S. troops and later convicted for treason. John Brown was hung Dec 2, 1859. A meeting was held in Peterboro, NY in response to his execution.

Anti-Slavery "John Brown" Meeting in Peterboro, NY
James Barnett presided over a meeting at the Presbyterian Church in Peterboro, Smithfield, NY, Dec 16, 1859, that raised a lot of eyebrows. Its effects were felt in different parts of the country and even years down the road.

According to the Utica Morning Herald and Daily Gazette Dec. 21, 1859, "Hon. James Barnett presided; Messrs. Calkins, Williams, Morgan, Stewart, Ellingwood and Green were appointed Vice Presidents, and G. W. Putnam and W. B. Downer. Secretaries. Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Bidwell of the Baptist church." "Speeches were made by the Chairman (James Barnett), Rev. Mr. Pilkinton, Messrs. Watson, Warner, Stewart, Putnam and Calkins. The meeting was very largely attended." The meeting was, at least in part, in reference to the execution of Coppie, Cook, Green and Copeland. These 4 men were captured at the John Brown raid at Harper's Ferry.

Resolutions Passed at the meeting
"Many strong resolutions were adopted. Among them was one in reference to certain marked and hated individuals of the North, whose destruction Is sought by the slave power: and in the event of their being summoned to the South as witnesses in the Stephens treason trial, this resolution suggested that 'the friends of these marked and hated men should prepare, and in goodly numbers accompany them to the South, protect them while there, and see them safely back to their homes'"

I do not have a reference that quotes all of the resolutions. The best reference is from a Newspaper called The Banner of Liberty, from Middletown, NY. I believe the date would be about 1860-1862.

Here are the 2nd, 10th, and 11th Resolutions.
2d, Resolved, That we can safely and cheerfully leave the reputation of John Brown and his murdered co-workers in the cause of human liberty, in the care of posterity, knowing from the eternal principles of justice, that, inasmuch as they lived and died for the welfare of the human race, their memories will ever be blessed on earth, and that their names will be enrolled with those who having " passed through great tribulation," take the Martyr's place and wear the Martyr's crown in the Kingdom of Heaven.

10th. "Whereas, the dissolution of the present Imperfect and inglorious Union between the free and slave States, would result in the overthrow of slavery, and the consequent formation of a more perfect and more glorious Union, without the incubus of slavery ;Therefore. "Resolved, That we invite a free correspondence with the Disunionists of the South in order to devise the most suitable way and means to secure the consummation 'so devoutly to be wished.'"

11th. Resolved, That the proceedings be forwarded to the editors of the county papers, and also the New York Tribune, for publication.

Newspaper Responses to the Peterboro Meeting
An Iowa newspaper, The Dubuque Herald, June 3, 1862 proposes the question, "How did the rebellion originate?" as the title of an article about this 1859 Peterboro Meeting. The article answers the question. "It originated, as we have often said, by the attempts of the Disunionists of the North to dissolve the Union." After quoting the 10th Resolution the article states, "Cannot anyone perceive that such sentiments as those, and the attempt to carry them into effect, led, in a large degree, to the exasperation and rebellion of the South."

A Wisconsin newspaper, The Hudson North Star July 2, 1862, proposed the question "Who are the traitors." After quoting the 10th Resolution the article states, "The Abolition traitors, for such is our opinion are all Bona fide Abolitionists, have ever been guilty of denouncing the Constitution, and doing all in their power to rend asunder the Union. They have talked treason, as much as the fire eaters of the South. The above was no new sentiment with these Northern traitors. Years ago they avowed the same, and at the present hour they cling to the same faith and boldly advocate it. They are among the worst of traitors to our common country, and must be put down, as well as rebels, if we would save the Government of our fathers, and restore the"Union as it was."

Almost 3 years after the fact, an Ohio newspaper, Defiance Democrat, June 28, 1862 talks of the effects that this meeting and abolitionists had on the plan for the South to secede.
"If any one doubts that Northern Abolitionism is the ally of Southern Secessionism a study of history will remove the doubt and stamp the truth of the alliance as an everlasting fact." In reference to the Dec. meeting at Peterboro, NY, the newspaper asked the following questions: "When the Government of the United States looked for Northern sympathizers with Southern rebellion, did it examine the history of that meeting? When it sought the men who corresponded with the South for the purpose of bringing about disunion, did it examine the history of that meeting ? When it sought the men who corresponded with the South for the purpose of bringing about disunion, did it inquire into the results of this New York meeting, which directed the opening of correspondence on the subject"....."The page of history which we have opened is black indeed."

James Barnett Called an Infamous Traitor
The Utica Morning Herald and Daily Gazette, Jan 13, I860 states that a vile attack was made on James Barnett yesterday. "Mr. B was called an 'infamous traitor' because he presided over a meeting at Peterboro, whereat some of the speakers sympathized with the course of John Brown on the subject of slavery." The Utica Morning Herald quoted from what James had to say about this accusation when the opportunity presented itself at the New York state legislative session. A full account of what James said at that session can be found in the Albany Evening Journal Jan 11, 1860.

James Defends His Possition as a Unionist
"I am for the largest liberty of discussion to all classes of men. And surely, sir, If any party can afford to be generous—to be magnanimous—it is the party whose fundamental principles are found incorporated in the Declaration of Independence -the principles of truth -of righteousness -of equal liberty to all."

James spoke about how his constituents were charged with "infamous treason" -as "infamous traitors." ... "Let the hirelings of the Slave oligarchy and a time-serving press under the shadow of this capital fulminate its charges of 'treason' -'infamous traitor,' against those who love the Union for the sake of Liberty."

"Mr. Speaker, I hold no man -no political party -responsible for my sentiments, uttered on this floor, or elsewhere -or at this time, or at any other time -I cheerfully leave my reputation in this conflict with my constituents and posterity, and will now close, Sir, by saying . I yield to no man or class of men in my devotion to the Union of these States. I love the Union for what it has been. I love it for what under God I believe it is yet destined to become -an asylum for the oppressed of all lands, and all climes, who may choose to abide under its shadow. I would bring it back to the glorious base on which our fathers erected it, and then maintain it at all hazards -peaceably if we can, forcibly if we must."

Please take a minute to look at my other blogs.

Captain James Barnett (Jr.) 35th New York Volunteer Infantry
http://jamesbarnett.blogspot.com/

35th New York Volunteer Infantry Civil War
http://35thnewyorkinfantry.blogspot.com/

Biography of James Barnett (Sr.) -Father of Captain Barnett
http://senatorjamesbarnett.blogspot.com/

James Barnett (Sr.) Speech -Personal Liberty for all Men
http://personallibertyforallmen.blogspot.com/

James Barnett (Sr.) Battles for African American Man's Right to vote 1860 & 1867
http://africanamericansuffrage.blogspot.com/

James Barnett (Sr.) Speech -Prohibition of Alcohol
http://prohibitionofalcohol.blogspot.com/

Please e-mail me if you would like original copies of any of my references. Contact me if you have questions, suggestions, or more interest in something that I have posted at jamesbarnett1@hotmail.com