The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1863-12-30
ARKANSAS ALL RIGHT.
Determined Emancipation Movement.
Enthusiastic, Meeting at Benton-Rad-
iCnl Resolutions,
ItrrLE Rock, Ark, Dec. 5, 1863.


lrrrLE Rock, ARK, Dec. 5, 1863.
urNU DENoCRAT; cannot forogo the op.
portunity of permitting your readers TO
share the pleasure | felt last evening at n
rousing Union meeting held at Benton. IS
miles south ot this place, 10y over 300 citi.
seas of Saline aud the al Joining counties in
this State. 1t was sight TO do the heart
OF loyalty good
There was not \ room in the village oaps.
blc of holding the vast crowd, although the
soldiers were desgncdly kept in ignorance
OF the meeting. under tho expectation that
the house Court Housed would not hold
the citizens who, il was known, would be
present
After formal organization, the committee
reported, after due deliberation, the follow
ing preamble and resolutions, which were
read to the audience by Colonel Fishback,
of Sebastian county;
WHEREAS, Tho history Of our country,
and especially of this war, has illustrated,
in y most Striling maruer, the blightng
effects of slavery, as we'll as the great su.
perlorlty of free institutions and,
WuEREAs, The people of the slave States,
i'll Difference to The rights of the few slave
holders, who constituted but all insignih-
cant minority of their follow citizens, have
for years tolerated an institution which has
ever been burden upon their energies and
~ blight upon their very best interest and,
WHEREAs, Assisted by political dema-
gogucs, these Same shareholders, in viola
tion Of the obligations alike of gratitude
and of humanity have availed themselves
of our tolerance to drag our country into
devastating aud most unholy war; and,
WHEREAS, TOO, BY an Infamous system of
legislation, they have thrust us, who have
,N.,lt rl,Na i.xG G..h
their battles, whilo they have remained ut
homo to roap all the benefits, il any benefits
accrue /; and
WHEREAS, These same men, now that
they are whipped, with an unparalleled as-
smancc. are secretly organizing and using
their money, thus UNANIMOUSLY preserved,
with view to the re-establishment of this
accursed institution in our State, after tho
armies shall have been dissolved by peace
and,
WHEREAS, Thoy propose to effect this
latter object by making Arkansas the rem
! devious of all the slaves AMI shareholders
of those States to which the Proclamation
does not apply; and,
WHEREAS, Our Constitution, as it now
stands, renders this plan entirely practical
bic, if, indeed, not inevitable therefore,
| be it
Rcsoived, By those citizens of Arkansas
here assembled lst That we hail the Pro-
caml,ion Of Emancipation with heartfelt
delight, not only as nm efficient war mea-
sure, but as the harbinger of a regencrated
South.
ID, That, as the proclamation has freed
the slaves now in the States, but has not
therefore finally settled the questions, but
leaves room, under our Constitution for
great fraud and for the ultimate re-estab-
lshmcnt of slavery in this State, we should
call a Convention as soon as practicable,
and place the question here beyond cavil.
3D. That in order to carry out these
views we call upon the loyal citizens of
Arkansas to organize and to arm and to
| pledge themselves never to lay down their
arms, not only until this unrighteous rebel
! lion is crushed, but until every trace of
SLAVERY is oradicatod from our midst finally
and .foreper.
The resolutions were passed unanimously,
and amid evidences of the deepest earnest
ness.
Colonel Fshback, c. s. Jordan, Rev. l.. D.
Cautrell, Hon. w. Jones, Warren Halliman.
and Captain Martin, made patriotic and ap'
propriato speeches, each of which was
greeted with repeated applause.
Never shall | forget that night! ! felt
that not n dollar or man expended in all
this struggle, is spent in vain. The Gov
crnment owes them protection; it should
be proud to protect them.
need hardly say that Arkansas is all
right. | had thought | was Radical but
| almost felt that was Copperhead in the
presence of these men.
WILLIAM MEADE.