Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-05-02
Meeting at WaldYon.
WALDRoN, ScorT, Co.,, ARK,
 Anril IS. lSfl.

| Tin,es and Herald: To-day we received news that the war had actually commenced. The news created quite an excitement in the town of Waldron. County court being in session, quite number of persons were in town from the country. Upon the recep- tion of the news, an impromptu meeting was called to express the sense of the people here. on the alarming state of the country. Whereupon, every citizen of the town of | Waldron, and all those who were in town from the country, assembled in the court house, unionists and secessionists--all. On motion of Judge James II. Smith. Dr. Elijah Lemming was called to tine chair, and Franklin Bates was requested to act as secretary.
 George w. Featherstone, captain of the Waldron cavalry, was called upon to ex- plain the object of the meeting He arose and read to the meeting the dispatches of the l6th He said that the time had come for unton to take place between secession ists and Union men--that neighbours, friends and relatives, should no longer be divided upon the great issues of the day that the time for talking had passed, and the time for action had come-that no mat ter how much we depreciated war, or how much we lamcnted the destruction of the government, and the confusion consequent thereupon, still these things were upon us, and it behooves us to look to our own in terest, our own safety. He showed that the crisis had actually come.. That, accord ing to the latest news, President Lincoln had called upon Arkansas, together with other southern States, for men to coerce the gallant seeded States. We must decide, and that speedily, upon which side we will take up arms-whether we will fight for the South or the North. That as the law now stands, we belong to Lincoln; but that we naturaNy and according to our Jeelings belong to Davis--and that steps should be taken for the immediate secession of Ar kansas.
 MT. John c. Head being called for, made short, lucid and eloquent speech-taking the same grounds as the first speaker. He said that the legislature and convention ought to be convened at once, to take the proper steps for the security of the people of Arkansas.
 On motion of Mr. Head, the chair ap- pointed the following committee to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of this meeting: J. c. Head, c. w. Featherston. R. G. Gaines, esq, William Oliver, esq, and Stephen Groves, esq.
 | The committee retired, and in short time returned and reported the following preamble and resolutions:
 | WHEREAS, We have learned that hostilics have actually commenced between the North and the South, and that President Lincoln has called upon Arkansas for troops to assist the North in subdung the South Therefore be it
 Resolced, That Arksnsians ought not to take up arms against their brothers of tke South; and that his exceency, Henry M. Rector, Governor of the State of Arkansas ought not to order out troops for that purpose.
 Resolped further, That the freemen of Arkansas should now have an opportunity to speak out; and that Arkansas should immediately dissolve her connection with the old government, and link her destinies with the Southern Republic.
 Resolred further, That his eXcellency, Henry M Rector, Governor, and Hon. David Walker, presi dent of the convention, should at once convene the legislature and the convention, that secession ordinance may be passed, and the necessary step. taken for the security of the people of the State o Arkansas.
 Resolped further, That in case the convention be not called together, refuses to pass the ordinance of secession when convened, the legislature should pass act allowing the peopleto to vote, at earl, day, for against secession.
 Resolred further, That we will sustain the Gov ernor in any measure he may see proper to take for the protection of the rights of the citizens Arkansas. And be it further
 Rtsoloed, That we will never take up arm against the Confederate States of America.
 Resotred, That the secretary furnish copy O these proceedings to the Times and Herald fo publication, and that the Parallel, Southron, Tru Democrat, and all other papers in the State be re uuested to copy the same.
 On motion of Judge Smith, the resolu tions were unanimously adopted.
 On motion, the meeting adjourned.
 ELIJAH LEMMIMG, Cr'n.
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