Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-02-14
Mass Meeting in Polk County.


 In pursuance to previous call for meet ing of the people of Polk county. to con suit together and deliberate upon the policy and condition of the country, considerable numbed upon Saturday, the 18th of Jan. uary, l86l met at tls court hou in Dallas, when they were organized by calling the lion. David Foran to the chair, and the appointment of A. P. Fitch to act as secre- tary.
 being moved and carried that that eesa- mlttee consisting of one from each township lh the county be appointed by the chair to draft and submit resolutions to the meeting, Judge Foran appointed the following:
 Dr. A. Ray, B. F. Odell, Andrew Wal. lace, h. Rider, Frank Samuel, David Freed, :, Wm. Borders and J. B. Williamson. During the retirement of the committee the meeting was addressed by A. P. Fitch who assumed the position, first, that the people of the southern States have sufficient reason Tor forming separate and distinct govern iheht. second, that the South can main- tam separate confederacy. Third. that nothing short of secession can place soutb- ern institutions beyond the reach of the fanatic policy of the black republican organization. He was followed by Messrs. White and Williamson, who took strong positions in favor of secession. Dr. McGlendon proceeded to address the meet lng-his views were erceediaoly conseyya- hye.
 The committee submitted the following preamble and resolutions which. we're adopted:
 WHEREAS, The people of the northern or free States, have, by the passage of laws nullltylng the fugitive slave law and the oecaS'ons of the supreme court-violated the compact existing between the States of this Union, thereby confirming their deter mlnatlon to no longer regard our rigbts or ~e" Constitutional obligations; and whereas, many of the southern States have called separate State conventions preparatory to assembling southern convention for the purpose of taking common council together Tn order to protect our rights. Therefore, the people of Polk county, in primary meeting, assembled, irrespeetive of party, cordially unite in the following resolutions: ResolUed, That we deem the Union already dissolved by the action of the black repub- llcan party in electing their candidate to the presidency solely on the grounds of his hostility to the institutions of the South, and their comtenaptuous disregard of their constitutional obligations. Therefore, all propositions of reunion should come from the North and not from the South.
 End. That we recommend the assemb- llng of southern convention for the pur- pose Of forming southern coniederacy, and that said convention shall have power to do such acts as shall be by them thought necessary to protect the rights of the South.
 3rd. That we earnestly request the leg islaturc of this State to pass laws neces sary for the assembling of a State conven- ton tor the purpose of deliberatng upon the momentuous questions that agitate the public mind, also to arm and equip the mllltla, establish arsenals and a powder mill, etc.
 4th, That we believe that nothing short of secession will ever place the institutions oi the South beyond the reach of the fanatic po!icy of the black republican organization.
 oth, That we believe the soil and climate, as well as the dioersJfed interests of our people will never permit of any infringe ment upon the institution of slavery. There fore Arkansas must form an alliance with the southern conletleracy as soon as pos sibIe.
 9th. That copy of the proceedings of thls meeting be transmitted for publication to the proprietors of the following news papers published in this State: The True Democrat, Little Rock; Washington Cour- i4.l'--a.@l S~--+i--A --AAz------IA-----oo tn motion, the meeting adjourned sine die.
 DAVID FORAN, CA'm.
 A. J. FITcH, Sec'y