The Arkansas banner., 1844-02-20
From the .ArkansaS IlteZEgencer

OEMOCkAIlC NEE ZINC.
 The Democratic Meeting met this morn- ing incement as was the weather, to the num- Der of sixty, at Divers Spring. Gen. Wash ington Duval was called to the Chair, and J. w. Washbourne made Secretary.
 Col. w. S.Oldham was requested to ex- plain the views of the assemblage, and state, its; object which he did in a short and perti- nent speech.
 He remarked upon the approaching elec- tions, the probability of a hot contest, and said the present was time of great excite ment. That the whigs were doing all and every thing within the compass of their pow CT to give this State bodily to the whg cause and principles; that they had organized 'sClay Clubs,o and sssecret associations,o and there in harrangued the people upon the neces- sity of bank, and tariff for protection; that they sang songs and were using every meth cd to enlist the enthusiasm of the people in favor of Clay and his chemes.
 He urged the democrats to meet this energy of the whigs by equal ardor, to hold county and township meetings, and there openly and calmly discuss the principles and prospects of our party and country; to refute the so- phisms and spacious arguments of enemies, and fully and decidedly convince the world was a vain one, that the whigs could not possibly be able to redeem so wild pledge.
 He reposed confidence in the intelligence of the people, he said, and felt assured they were open to convictions; and then proceeded to show the ruinous tendency of National Bank, exposing in happy manner the spec ulations which it created, by reducing the price of produce at pleasure, and forcing the farmer to sell his grain, the planter his cot ton, for low price; because ofthe diminish ed circulation of money produced by bank men; who then sent their agents to buy up this produce.
 Equally clear were his observations upon the Tariff-its de6nition-its oblect; shew- ing the difference between tarifffor revenue which ths democrats favored, and tariff for protection as supported by the whigs. The discriminating tariff" upon which the whigs fell back from high--he said, was in this wise discrminate-It was a tariff which taxed necessaries and not luXuries-so that 1t came out of the poor mans pocket rather than the rich.
 He concluded by saying the whigs had in- creased the public debt from S4,500, ,000, to $30,000,O00; and that the people had shewn their mighty dissatisfaction and indignation by reversing nearly all their acts; that only eight whig governors were now in the United States, where in l840 so large maiorities were given to Harrison.
 A committee of seven was appointed tc draft resolutions, etc: consisting of Col. J. s Roane, Edward Scott, Job Ratlih, Wm. Ed wards, Wm. Heard, c. Latham, Esq's ane Capt. Shinault; who retired, and agair appeared, reporting through J. s. Roane thei Chairman, the following resolutions. Whereas numbers of the democatc party in different portions of the Staie, have recom intended that there be held State convention at suitable time and place, for the purpose of selecting proper individuals for the dem ocratic ticket at the elections ensuing, a. Governor: Congressman: &c.; and more par ticularly to produce harmony and concer in action amongst the whole democratic par ty, thereby making triumph certain and sur