The Van Buren press., 1861-01-11
Crawford County Meeting.

Sra"ioId county, Arkansas. on Saturday,
the 9th day Of January. 1861. at the Court
House in the city of Van Buren,. pursuant
to previous notice. Henry Wilcox. Esq,
was appointed chairman. and John B. Og-
den. Secretary.
The object Of the meeting was explained
by Che ehairman sahcrsupop, eD sac:::sr
Jesse Turner. Samuel Harrington. G. A.
Carroll. Jacob Meadows, Josiah Harral,
Robert Southerland, jesse Marshal, James
Heard, Whitfield Bourne, Andrew Couch,
Hiram Brodie, Thomas Walden, and j. s.
Dunhsm. were appointed to draft resolu-
tions expressive of the sense of the meeting
upon the unhappy dissensions that have
arisen between the Northern aud Southern
portions of this Republic. After the COM
mitsee retired, Gen. Thomson was called
upon. and responded in an eloquent speech,
which was listened TO with marked atten-
tion by the audience and received with
dealcning applause.
The committee, after some time spent in
deliberation by their chairman. Jesse Turner,
Esq, on behalf of the majority made the
following report
Resoired, In view OF the alarming crisis
which Is upon us, that the rights and insti-
tutlons OF the slave e-holding states ought to
be maintained and defended at every hazard
and to the last extremity
Resotred, further, That we view the per-
sonal liberty bills of certain OF the non
slave holding States, passed for the purpose
OF defeating the execution of the Fugitive
Slave law, not only as unfriendly in spirit,
but as palpable iniractons of the Feieral
Constitution, and gross violations OF tine
phShted faith Of those States, and that W.
insist on their speedy repeal and faithful
execution OF said law as one uf the con IL
lions to the restoration of frategna rela-
tions between the slave-holding and non
slave-ho'inS States OF the Union
Resolred, tartter. LII view OF impen ling
dangers to our beloved country, th,t 1t is
our ardent desire to preserve this Union if
1t can be preserved consistently with the
honor, rights and interests Of tle s.avehold-
ing States and that for the purpose of de-
liberation upon this MON entous subject we
are IN favor OF a conicrei.ce of all the slave
holding States To be held at N+.a!sv lilo at
such tame AZ may be agreed upon; an i.
need be that convention of ali the States
be held at such time and place as may be
agreed upon IN order that an effort b. made
10 adjust and settled on a satisfactory basis
all the disturbing controversies which have
arisen between the slaveholding and non
slayetolding States.
Resoy,n1 /,yrfl,r 'rb,. -, ~,
failure of the slaveholiing States obtainin
such guarantees OF their rights in the
Union as may be compatible with their
honor and interests. that they then insist
upon fair and equitable division OF the
public property. including the common ter
ritory OF the United States. they assuming
their proportionste share of the public debt,
and that il this cannot be obtained they
separate from their northern conieierates.
not peaceablv, but that they draw the sword
and fight for their rights to the bitter
end.
|. Resolrea, further, That we are opposed
to separate State action, and especially to
the secession of Arkansas from tho Fetier
al Union. without cooperation with her
sister States of the South
RESOLVED, further. That in spirit of con-
ciliation. and in view o. the calamities
which we believe would attend dissolu
tion OF the Union, we are willing that time
should be given to tho -slaveholding
States to ietrace their steps. to repeal their
unconstitutional laws. to deposc their un-
principled leaders, and to give to the South
such satisfactory guarantees as Will secure
their rights and equality in the Union.
Resolpea. further, That while we deplore
the election of Abraham Lincoln to the
Presidency, upon purely sectional issue,
and upon the ground OF his hostility to
Southern institutions, as an event Justly
calculated to excite our alarm, and su tiic-
lent cause to warrant us in demanding ad-
dItional guarantees for the protection of our
rights and equality in tho Union. Yet we
unhesitatingly declare that, in Our opinion,
it is not in itself sufficient cause for a
dissolution Of the Union.
RESOLVED, further, That we heartily ten
der the thanks of this meeting to Messrs.
Crittenden, Butler, Digler, Rust and others
for their patriotic and unwearied efforts in
Congress to heal the unhappy discussions
! which have arisen between the North and
the South. and to preserve our Federal
Union consistently with the rights ami non.
o. Of all the States.
Resoiced further, That we are in favor
oi a State convention, to be held at an early
day, with power 20 appoint delegates to a
ooatneIn conference OF convention, with
such other general powers as leSitimateIy
belong to such convention.
VIM. Walker, Esq. offered the follow
ing reso utions which were real and adopted.
Whereas. in view of the alarming condi-
ton of our puolie affairs. and the prevalent
dangers which threaten and menace the DIFF
ferent states of our Federal Union. an par
ticuarly in view Of the present exposed
ami defenceiess condition OF the State o,
Arkansas. the people of Crawford County
assembled in mass convention. without dis
tinction of party. and. freely ignoring ,:.ei,
past divisions and conflicting opinions ON
political issues SO recently and earnestly
contested between them. and now imperils
with vial insecurity the constitution and
the Union. have q
Resolusd, That the interests of the State
Of Arkansas imperatively demand of the
General Assembly. :he necessary provis-
ions TO enable > convention Of delegates t.