Arkansas true Democrat., 1860-03-07
Democratic Mass Meeting in Johnson
 County.

Ho'ioo having Deen previously glven' there was mass meeting of the de. mocracy of Jo ohnson county, begun and held in the city of Clarksville, on Saturday the 2oth day of February, A. D. 1860, when the following proceedings were had, to-wit:
 On motion of Col. O. Basham, Hon. J G. Watson was appointed chairman. and on motion of A. M. Ward, J. $. Powers was appointed secretary. The chairman explained the object of the meeting. Mr. A. M. w ard then offered the following pre- ambe and resolution:
 WHEREAS, It is believed that there are numbers of persons present. who have never heretofore acted with the democratic party. but desire to do so in future
 Re'oloed, Therefore, That all such persons be in vited to come forward and give an expression to that effect, and take part in the action and deibe- ratons of this meeting.
 Pending the motion to abopt, Col. J. $. Houston offered the following resolutions. as q substitute:
 Resotoef, That we. as representing the democra- cy Of Johnson county, do cordially ndorse the well know principles osthe Cincinnati platform
 ResotUed, That any person not fulv indorsinp the time honored principles of the democratic party as set forth in the Cincinnati platform of 1856. and refused, or Tailed to vote for the democratic nomi nee Tor sldent, unless providentialy prevented Is not entitled to a seat in this convention
 Resolred, That any person voting against. or did not vote for the regular democratic nominee for Governor of Arkansas, in 1856, Viz Elias N Con way,) is not entitled to seat in this convention.
 On motion of Mr. Basham, the resolu- tions offered by MT. Houston were '"laid on the table indefinitely" The question then recurring on Mir. Ward < preamble and Pesolution, they were adopted.
 MT Houston moved that this be consid- cred an advisory meeting, and that the townships be requested to hold township meetings and send up delegates to hold county convention; pen ling which motion, Mir. Ward offered to substitute the follow ing preamble and resolutions:
 WHEREAS, It being one of the usage. of the de- mocratlc party to meet in convention, for the pur- pose ot consolidating its influence, and giving it a proper direction in all selections by the people: and further to vindicate the great essential principles always adhered to by the masses of the American people; and it is generally conceded that the cleo tons Tn the year 1860, to be the great turning point, upon which will rest the pernanency of the American Union, and the institutions that have se cured human liberty, the right of thought word and action to thirty millions of freemen when there appears to be so much at stake, it becomes the natural and political duty of every true lover of his country, and who desires to preserve intact the in- stitutions of the Sou h. to be found acting on all occasions that seem to rec u re proper effort in vindication of national and constitutional rights
 ReSOtoed heretore, That have undminishcd confidence in the integrity and sound ability of our Senators in the Congress of the United States HOH. w m. K. Sebastian and Hon. R. w Johnson their services ill Congress of the United States are properly and duly appreciated by an approving constituency.
 Resoired That the democracy of Johnson coun ty are pleased to commend the policy of our Execu- tive, Gov. Elias N. Conway. whose irmue,s and wisdom show him eminenty qualified to perform the high trust reposed in him. and that he has truly and honoably disposed fall the aboIs and delicate du- ties required ot him by the constitution and laws, to the entire satisfaction of all unpreiudiced minds: amongst winch are to be particularly observ ed, his management of our financial affairs, touching the indebtedness of the State for on account of the bonds is5ues for the Real Estate Bank, by which he has saved the people from being taxed millions Of dollars Also, his veto of congressional. bill to change the time of the election ol membe s 10 Con gress; and his veto on the revenue bill to reduce the State tax, when we had state debt still hang ing over us. Thereiores as public servant, we much regret to loose the services of Gov. Elias N Conway and truly hope that his retirement from serving the people will be Of but short duration
 ReSoLoef, That we declare Col. Alfred M Will son, of Washington county, to be our first choice for Congress, and our delegates to the Dover con- VetlOn are hereby instructed to use all honorable means to secure the nomination of Col. Wilson, for representative in Congress from Che first congress sOna district.
 Resolped, That Col. Oliver tsham, A. Lasater, J. Castor Watson, B. M. Woods Thomas Willis, Thomas King, W. P. Clark W. D. Epperson, Phillip May and James Crlyins, be, and they are hereby appointed delegates to represent Johnson county in the congress Onal convention, to assem- be al Dover, on the second Monday of May next, to nominate candidate for representative in the Congress of the United States. And ii any yacan- cy shall occur. that the chairman of this meeting shall appoint substitutes
 Adopted.
 Mr. Basham offered the following reso- lutions:
 Be i resolDed, That we hereby reaffirm the prin ciples announced in the platform of the democratic rary, adopted in convention at Cincinnati Tn June, 56 and that We hold them to bea true exposition of OUT doctrine the subjects embraced
 Rc,oiced, That the States of the contedracy are euis in political rights; each State has the right to settle for itself all questions of internal polity; the right to have not have slavery IS one of the prerogatiyes of self-goveriment.
 ResoIred, That the federal government has no power to interfere with slavery in the States, nor 10 introduce or exclude it from the territories
 KeSoired. That the organization of the republican party upon strictly onal principles, and its hos thty to the institution of slavery which IS lnsepe- raby connected with the social and industrial pur- suits of the southern States of the cOnederacy, IS upon the principles of the constitution and state rights.
 Rcsored, That we approve generally, of the ad- ministration of James Buchanan.
 Adopted.
 Mir. X. B. Joyner offered the following resolutions:
 Resolced, That this mass meeting of the democrat party of Johnson county, select eight delegates to attend the State convention at Little Rock, on the second day of April A. D. le60. And the saic delegates hereby instructed to cast Inc vote of Johnson county for the Hon. William W. Floyd, as the first choice of this county for Governor of the State of Arkansas, and Col Richard II. John son, of Pulaski county as our second choice Tor said oiice and in all other matters to act for the best interest of the democratic party.
 ResoIced, That James B. Wilson, Henry c. Butts. Dillard Hardwick, B. w Cox, Char les B: Perrv Saml. Farmer, Augustus NJ. Ward ana Jesse :. Powers, be- and theyare hereby appointed delegates to represent Johnson county i'll the State convention, to assemble at Little Rock; and the chairman may have power to appoint delegates to fill any vacancy of those failing to attend.
 Resolred That the proceedings of this meeting be nublished in the True Democrat, Thirty Fifth Parallel and Arkansian, and all true democratic journals in the State.
 On motion of J. s. Houston, the name of Hon. William w. Floyd was stricken out and that of Col. Richard II. Johnson as our first choice for Governor, inserted.
 On motion of o. Basham, the thanks oi this meeting were rendered to the chairman and secretary. W.,
 A motion was then made by J. B. Will -. that the chairman appoint commit fee to arrange township meetings, prepara- tory to holding county convention, to nominate candidates for the legislature; pending said motion, Col. Basham moved to adjourn, which carried.
 T. GASTON WATSON, Chr'm.
 J. $. POWERS, Secy.