Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-01-09
VOICE OF THE DEMOCRACY !
KING WILLIAM COUNTY.

Alta numerous meeting of the Democracy OF king
William county, held at Ayle,ss, on the Is. day OF Jan ,
I944-Maior Thos Dabney called to the Char, and
John Seer appointed Secretary.
The meeting was then addressed by Major W m ,
Fontaine, who moved that a committee be appointed
10 take into consideration the proceedings OF the meet
ing held at King William Courthouse, the evening
ofMonday, the 25h Of December ult and the proPr'e
" of publishing manifesto public protesation TO
the counties composing the 9Th Congressional District
against the proceedings of said meeting; and also, 1t
said committee deemed it proper, then that they report
a manifesto and resolutions in accordance Herewith
The above resolution being adopted, the President
appointed the following gentlemen on said committee:
VIM s. Fontaine, Thomas Robinson, Walker fiawes
Thos. o. Dabney, John Powell, b T. Dabney, Young
J. Clements, VIM. j. Lumpkn, John Roberts and Jas
Rome.
This Committee after delbera,ion, reported through
their Chairman, VIM. S. Fontaine that they had taken
into consideration the proceedings OF the meeting held
q, King William Courthouse, 80 lar as they could learn
their character; but from the laeness OF the hour at
which said meeting held, by candle light, as the
Chairman was ntormed,) the committee could not as
certain the lehofc of their proceedings but they had
ascerained that Of the proceedings were highly
Objectionable and thereupon had deemed IL proper to
report the following
MANIFESTO AND RESOLUTIONS
1t is with profound regret, that this ntc cling has
learned that, on the 25h day Of December, small
meeting convened al King William Court House, and
proceeded to &C, for the entire Democracy OF this
ton, proposed be assembled 1t appahannock on the
Both Of January, for the purpose OF appointing four
DE- egates 10 the Baltimore Convention.
The Democratic Party Of King William have never
objected To small primary assembage of Democrats,
speaking in the Of the whole party III the county,
where, there generally Isl unauImity of opinion
But, this subject, il WAS well known there was dii
ference of opinion for, nj our November Court, the
propriety of having any District Convention was de-
bated, and the ting adjourned, without coming 10
any decison but, il were, gave IT the gcoy, and
adopted the following resolution not &c OF which.
was published by friend of Mr. Van Bnrens, in the
Richmond Enquirer of December Nth, in the follow
ing words
"Ihe Republican Democrats Of King lillian in Motion
"DEMocRArs ATTEND AT a public meeting on
Monday, the 27th of November, at the Court House,
Dr. Corbin Braxton pre- siding, the foil wing resolution
was, on motion Of Major VIM. S. Fonia'ne, unani
mously adopted, and ordered to be published IN the
Enquirer.
"Resolued That the Republican citizens of the
county Of King William be requested, by public notice
in the Enquirer to attend al their Court ouse on the
first day Of December Court, for the purpose OF form
inc a Democratic Association, aud 10 take into COLI
alteration other matters Of Importance, which may be
deemed necessary and proper Ut the time. The com.
,nunicator concluded by saying, "be on the ground
carly and act promptly which showed that he wished
every thing done fairiy and N The hsft q day
Accordingly, large number OF the Democracy were
on the ground early, for The purpose OF embodying
themsclves in Association and marching IN solid
phaanx against the common enemy There were So
yera projects Of Constitutions ready Tie Wings, st /
ting us an example, which we should have initiated,
had an enthusiastic meeting, formed Clay Club, ap-
pointed delegates to their State Convention, aud ad-
ourned at an eaty hour. But, from some cause uii-
known TO US, the Democrats did not atempt 10 form
their Association. Bat at very lite hour, when ma.
nv of our cit had left the ground under the belei
that there would be IN citing and many who ex-
peced there would be meeting and wished to attend
vet feared to encounter roads, then in state OF unex
amped badness, on very dark and cloudy night;
small number Of Van Buren, men assembled, and seem
ing more intent gaining an advantage over Their
Calhoun brethren, than on combining against the COM
mon enemy, determined, in violation OF resolution
they had unanimously adopted not 10 form an Assoc:a
ton but to appoint delegates 10 the district convention
just before going into meeting, some OF the prominent
actors declared their purpose And when The Calhoun
expressed their disappobaton, the reply was, we
mean appoin, delegates to the District Convention
this very night, and if you attempt TO oppose IT. II is
our intention 10 gag you by the previous question:
Upon which, many Of the Calhoun indignantly
determined 10 leave, and the few who remained had
little no participation in the meeting.
To show the proprety of this manifesto 1t rs ne
cessary TO make explanation to ou7 sister counties oil
the District by saying that there three election pre-
cincts in King William, of which the Court House Is
one-and that the Van Buren, strength is in the
immediate neg hborhood Of the Court House. At the
last spring election, the other distant precincts gave
about double the Democratic majority at the Court
House precinct. II The Wings have gained at all in
the county, it is at the latter precint From vicnnge,
the Democrats near the Court House, can carry any
measure they please, late in the evening of Court
day The Calhoun strength is in the upper precincts;
hence, late in the day. there are but few Calhoun
on the Court green.
Under these circumstances, consider that it in
delicate in our Van Buren, brethren, to hold meeting
ut SO late hour, and decide that there should be
District Convention-and to resolve that they cons
tuted msorty Of the county, and, therefore, should
be Represented by greater number of delegates in that
Convention. II such allowable, mino-
rty could always resotce themselves into majority,
and thus fasen upon the country such men and such
measures as they deemed proper The Calhoun have
40 much rcht 10 decide that they constitute majority