The Van Buren press., 1861-04-03
Grand Ratification Meeting
AT
Fort Smith, March 27th.

As largo oHu entuuSlaStlc meeting OF
the Union men of Fort Smith. on the even
ing of the 9th of March, for the purpose
of extending welcome to their gallant and
faithful delegate to the State convention,
Col. S. l.. GRIFFrrH. Mr.. j. R. Kannady
was called to the Chair, and Mr.. w. II.
Lewis, and Mr.. E. NJ. Workman were elect
ed Secretaries.
The Chairman briefly explained the OBJ
ject of the meeting, and upon motion of S.
II. Calhoun. appointed committee of five
to draft resolutions, expressive of the sense
of the meeting. Messrs. j. G. Atkinson,
S. F. Clark, F. H. Wolf, DR.. G. G.. Shu-
mard. and S. H. Calhoun were appointed
on said committee. After the committee
had Withdrawn. Mr.. B. F. Williams was
called out and made a telling and effective
speech. which was received with great ap-
plause.
In the meantime large and enthusiastic
number of eco operationists " were max
ing the anvils ring q merry tune in honor
OF the noble and gallant thirty nine, who
proved true to their country in the hour Of
their country's need. One gun was fired in
honor Of the true and noble hearted BABER,
of Lawrence county. who, while he voted
for secession in compliance with q pledge
made to his constituents to vote that way
in case the Peace Congress had failed to
settle the matter previous to the 4th CT March
and -, this 10y, 90 true TO the Union
as any man in the convention.
After the conclusion of Mr. Williams
remarks, the committee returned, and thro'
their chairman, Mr.. j. G. Atkinson, pre-
sented the following preamble and resolu-
tions. which were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, Certain articles have appea:-
ed in certain of the public newspapers, con-
tanning language wholly uncalled for. and
uni ust towards our delegates in the State
Convention, and. especially the Hon. S. L.
GRIFFITH, delegate from this county, tend
ing to create the impression that his course
in the convention was.a violation of the de-
clared principles upon which he was elect
ed. and Misrepresentation of the wishes
of his constituents. Now, therefore, we,
the people of Fort Smith, in this meeting
assembled, do
Resolve, That VIC recognize, in our said
delegate, as manifested in his course in said
convention the qualities of patriotism, of
prudence, of deliberation, and energy of
foresight, of devotion to the welfare of the
State and the County, of fidelity to prin-
ciple, and to the interests as we'll as the de-
clsred wishes of his constituents in a de-
gree equalled by few. and cxcelled by no
member of said convention and we here
by heartily ratify and approve each and ere
ry act and thing done by him in said conven-
tioa and we believe that very large ma
jority of the people Of Sebastian county
approve the same.
Resolved, That we believe that FOUR -fifths
of the people of Sebastian county, at least,
are opposed to Arkansas seceeding from
the Union. at the present, and under exist
ing circumstances /; that our said delegate,
in casting his vote against secession, re-
hected, heartily, the views and wishes of
such majority. And had he entertained in
dividual opinions in favor of the ordinance
of secession. duty would have required him
to resign his Office as delegate, rather than
to have cast his vote in favor of it, ..a iaa
accordance with tho wishes of the minority.
We, therefore, can recognise no principles
of honesty, of pasriotisns, of roDsistency, or
good eIizeasAsp in those. who, in the public
prints Aforesaid, or otherwise. seek to mig
represent him because he was too honest to
betray his constituents. to enable them to
accomplish their reckless and revolutionary
purposes.
Resolued. That the papers of Fort
Smith and Van Buren,. and the Little Rock
State Gazette. be and are hereby requested
to publish these proceedings.
DC. ATKIHsoS,
s. F. CLARK,
+. c.. WolF, Com.
DIR. g. G. SHuNARD
r 5, b. CALHoUH,
After passing the above resolutions. DR.
Shumard moved that the meeting form in
procession. headed by the Brass Band. and
march to the residence of Col. GR,ryrrH.
which was carried.
After arriving there, Mr.. s. F. CLARK.
IN behalf OF the people. welcomed the Col.
in short. bat spirited speech. in which he
assured the Colonel that his every official
act was fully and cordially endorsed by his
constituents. Mr., C. closed his remarks by
piedging Sebastian county to vote for /" CO.
operation with the Border Slave States ~ in
August next by one Thousand majority.
s Col. GRIFFITH responded in feeling and
eloquent manner. icing frequently inter-
ruptcd by tremendous bursts of applause.
drawn out BY his enaincntly cloquent and
resistless words. Ho alluded to the CHARGE
that rs being made against him, of acting
in the convention contrary to promises made
during thescsnvass, and pronounced all suchl
reports as nalicious -.ytlsehoods A. ths4
...f II ~ =