Arkansas true Democrat., 1860-11-10
Public Meeting in Washington County

HI WasAlASb0n C0unCy.
 On Saturday, 29th of September, 1860, a public meeting was held at Billingsly. Mountain township, Washington county. Arkansas.
 On motion Mai John Billingsley was called to the chair, and J. 0. Hanna ap- pointed secretary. "
 The object of tho meeting was stated bv the chairman, and the following preamble and resolutions presented, which were, upon moIon, read separately, and adopted. 2
 on motion the meeting adjourned until Thursday, October 4tlisrS, a Sssrs
 J. Q. HANNA, Sscy.N i. aInnAs I9en ta hs themselves into mArauding bands, for purposes of rapine, insurrection and blood shed, and whereas, weare exposed alike to hordes of reckless adven- turers and seaists, who having (ss we believel their organized agencies throughout our country, for the purpose of abduottng sue slave, whether from motives of self styled philanthropy or pur- poses of speculation, immaterial to us, thus de. stroying the peace of the country and security of property, and
 WHEREAS, The incendiary has already com menced his diabolcal work in our midst, and since our laws by their ordinary process from the tardi ness of their executions by our courts of justice, have become enervated and wholly insufficient to protect onr fre-sides, our property and our lives Therefore be it
 Resolued, 1st, By the citizens of Mountain town ship, Washington county, Arks, assembled, that we organize vigilance committee for purposes of mutual protection, which shall be styled the | Vigilance Association of Mountain township. | Resolced, End. That the permanent officers of this organization shall be president, whose duty | It shall be to call the members together when necessary, and preside over them during their de deliberations, also secretary, whose duty it shall be to make record of all their proceedings. | Resolued, Sd. That permanent investigating committee of eighteen men be selected from the true southern citizens of Mountain township, ire spectve of political opinion, whose duty it shall be to investigate either publicly or privately, they may deem expedient, all cases that may be sub | mitted to them for adjudication; always turning over to the proper authorities such cases in which the laws of our land secure justice. and that the committee be empowered to call the most able counsel available when the exigencies of the case may demand it--also to mec. subject to their owr call, a majority constituting quorum.
 Resolped, 4th. That it shall be the duty of tho various members of this association to report to tn, officers or investigating committee each and every case of citizens or transient characters who may have or appear to have public or private inter course with our negroes without justifiabe cause all men who will give or sell our servants ar!en spirits illegally, or will suffer them to resort O harbor where they are kept--all cases of stranger who may be of suspicious appearance or habit without any known honorable occupation, especiall all cases in which they interfere with our servants steal our horses or burn our houses; and we hereb bind ourselves to render all possible assistance t any of our fellow citizens who may have been in terrupted by these pests to civilized society, bot in recovering stolen property and in bringing t justice the aggressor.
 Resolped, 5h. That the committee of nvestiga ton be empowered to appoint committee of vigi lance to consist of such number of members of tn association as they may think necessary to affor complete protection to the property of the citizen of Mountain township, whose duty it shall be t perform patrol services under the direction of sai committee.
 Resoiued, 6th. That the committee of investga tion be empowered to appoint an executive com mittee to carry out the decisions of said commit tee.
 Resolued, 7th. That the good citizens of ou county are hereby requested to cooperate with u in our undertaking, and if we meet with their ar probation to organize auxiliary committees for ths purpose.
 Resol1ed, sh. That these regulations may altered or amended by two-thrds of the member
 OcroBER 4th, 1860. The citizens of Mountain township me l, pursuant to adjournment, Mai J. Billings , ly, chairman, and J. c. Hanna, secretary ! when the minutes of the meeting of the 29t were read, and the chairman appointed committee of six to select committee ( eighteen to act as an investigating com mittee.
 Joh P. A. Parks moved that copy the proceedings be presented to the Arkar sian for publication, and that all paper throughout the State be requested to cop, l which was nnanlmousTv carrIed J. BILLINGSLY, CAn.