Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1843-08-05
BENTON COUNTY MEETING.

rather Benton, are trying to commit Mis-
souri, to Mr.. Van Buren,. Ii will be seen
the johnson men understood the game that
was to be played upon them, and adopted
the proper course, which will no doubt be
of more benefit TO them in the end, than
all the intriguing and underworld they could
get in operation. The people, in whom the
power lies, are opposed TO all such intrigues
and unfair means as are resorted to by
Mr.. Van Buren's friends, and so soon as
they can be made to understand they are
imposed upon, they will not only turn their
backs upon him who sought TO impose upon
them, but they will loathe those who were
the instruments in attempting to carry out
the imposition. Detesting political jugglery
in any party, and being hopclessly situated,
so far as the success Of our own is con-
cerned in this State, our feelings naturally
lead US to take part with that portion of
our opponents who seek to carry their
men or measures by fair and honest means,
rather than those who pride themselves
upon their skill in practising fraud and de-
ception upon the people. 1t matters not
to us, as individuals, or as members of the
great wing party which portion of our OPP
poncnts succeed we have about as much
to expect from the one as the other, and
only take sides with the johnson men, be-
cause it is natural conclusion, or at least
a plausible presumption, that if those who
seek office by fair and honest means should
prove successful, in their administration of
public affairs they would still be governed
by candor and honesty: and, uice versa.
But, to the structures of the Yeoman on
the meeting, which will show the johnson
men understand what they are about, and
that they will be able to succeed in their
efforts without extraneous aid or sympathy:
THE MEETING ON MONDAY.
There is no doubt but that an attempt will be
) made to create an impression abroad, that the
meeting on Monday was an expression OF the
sentiments OF the democratic party OF this county.
; In order to correct any such impression, we give
full and impartial history Of the whole affair.
We were not present at the commencement of
the meeting, nor did we get 10 the court house
5 until Mr. Shields, (who was requested to do so J
: was reading the preamble and resoldtions. The
! proceedings subsequent to that time, we wit.
| nessed-those prior, we have from persons pres
ent, and cannot be contradcted. After the chair.
man and secretary had been appointed and the
, committee selected 10 draft preamble and reso.
! Iutons, B. P. Major who had just arrived at the
Court House, enqured Of the chairman, what the
: object OF the meeting was? 10 which the chairman
replied that it TO test the relative strength
of Mr.. Van Buren, and Col. Johnson in this
county. Mr.. Major then replied that there had
been no notice Of the meeting given-that not
one fifth OF the democratic voters OF the county
were present-and it was impossible, under the
circumstances, that lair expression Of the senti.
ments OF the democracy Of the county could be
obtained Mr.. M. said he had no obi action to
this meeting expressing an opinion as to their
preference, but he objected TO the opinion Of this
meeting being taken as an expression Of the
preference OF the democracy Of Benton County.
Here one OF the friends Of Mr.. Van Buren,
replied that the object Of the meeting loaS not
for the expression Of such preference, but merely
to divise some mode Of representing the will Of
the people in the National Convention. With
this uncontrolled explanation, the friends OF
Col. Johnson were satisfied, as they were not so.
. licous for the meeting and had no intention Of
# getting one up, without previously giving sufi
e cent notice, that the whole strength OF both ia
vorites might be present. The meeting was got
d ten up by the friends OF Mr.. Van Buren, and
the chairman, secretary, and the whole Of tho
4. committee to draft the preamble and resolutions
e were Van Buren, men.
Several addresses we're then made by thr
friends OF Mr. Van Buren,; and Mr.. F. Robinson
one of the friends Of Col. Johnson, was called
on for speech He declined addressing thu
Z meeting, until he should have heard the preamble
and resolutions read, as the meeting had onl
n been called in relation to agreeing upon som
as method Of representing the people Of the count
OF in the National Convention, he wanted to hea
De the resolutions before he made speech
to Upon the conclusion Of the speech Of Mr.
ir Shields Of Cooper, who was invited to addres
N the meeting, and who made just such speec
c. as any democrat having the good Of the entir
er democratic party at heart would have made, III
preamble and resolutions were read, and Ii
ne question was put to the meeting for their adoI
It. ton en- n1GSSe. Mr.. Maj or moved that the RESI-
I'd tons be read, and the question taken upon eac
Il separated y-but no attention was paid TO h
OF motion. The question was put and the resoIr
tons were adopted Upon the taking OF Il
lie question, some 10 or 20 voices were heard
by the affirmative, and not one in the negative; ar
er the meeting. adj ourned amid the hurras Of two
ul three, who declared that it was a unauimol
be vote. and at the very time that Mr.. Maj or was
i'll the floor enquring whether the friends Of NJ
ty Van Buren, desired to gag Col. Johnson's frien
he or to break up the meeting they had call