Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-02-20
rHE PEOPLE SPEAKING OUT.
Meeting I'm BENTON County.


Ameeting Of the citizens of Benton county
was held at the court house in Camden,
on Monday, the 18th inst, without distinc-
ton of parties.
On motion, Allen c. Presson was called
to the Chair, and r. P. Haily appointed
Secretary.
The President very briefly explained thf
Object of the meeting, wheFeupon the FOIL
lowing preamble and resolutions were read
and unanimously adopted:
wHERFAs, The citizens of this county have
learned, with regret, that q memorial has been
presented 70 the President of the United States
and the Reconstruction Committee OF, Congress,
by the Union State Committee of Tennessee. set
ting forth among other things the deplorable con-
dition Of the Union men Of Tennessee, that the
Government of the States exists only by the sup
port OF the military power of the United States,
politically socially and financially; all of which,
at least far as our Information extends, is ut
terly false and unfounded. In this county, the
kindest and best feeling exists between all par
ties, law and good order prevail in the admins
tration of her county affairs, and DO people evev
enjoyed n mlder and calmer state Of society thad
determined to forget and forgive tie TRANSACTIONS
OF the past and as they are out of debt, they ask
no new privileges or prerogatives-all they desire
Is equal rights with ALL and to be treated by the
Government like American citizens were in the
purer and better days of the Republic But, be-
leving. as we do. that the President and the
Reconstruction Committee ought to be. fully adj
yised as to the true condition Of our political
affairs and sentiments, il Is hereby
Resoired. That the President of this meeting
whom, il is well known. has at all times shown
himself to be as true and as unswervingly loyal to
the Government of the United States as the needle
TO the pole, shall appoint two or more, delegates
from each civil district 10 represent the political
and social sentiments of the citizens of this
ty in the mass meeting which is proposed to be
held at Nashville the I'D inst, and that he be
requested to add his name to the delegation from
his district.
Resolred, That the honest political and religious
sentiments of one section ofthis great COnfedera
cy ought not TO be arrayed against the honest SEN
timents of the other, but reciprscal liberalty and
justice ought to prevail in the councils of both;
llliberal and unjust attacks should not be made
upon the persons or characters of our fellow citi
zens, no matter on which side of the great Reyo-f
luhon they acted that the errors OF the paSt
ought to serve to make us wiser and better. and
we should ali cultivate sentiments of kindness
and respect for each other, and more particularly
for our rulers whenever they show decent res
pect for themselves, their offices and the rightssof
the people.
Resotced, That liberty religion and political
presentation in the councils of the nation. "a
object dear 10 the hearts Of American citizens.
and the establishment of a military force within
the limits Of any State in times Of peace are MOI
ton Of the loyal, against the wrongs and the int
iuries of the so-ealled dsloyal, it is to under1
mine the foundation of our success in the greatAl
experiment of self-government, and to limit and
control the voice of the people at the ballot box
tho great channel through which the rights Of its
people are preserved and protected.
Resotred. That we heartily endorse tho Ad
of cur distinguished fellow citizen
Andrew Johnson with whom many of US have the
honor of personal acquaintance; we believe him
to be kind, generous and forgiving, and we pledge
tod nOrfa and fiOO in fha
great work of redemption and reconstruction
and believing that the God of Israel has in his
mercy entrusted to the care and keeping the
destines of a great people, we look forward with
pleasing anticipations to the coming of brighter
day.
The President then appointed the follow
ing delegates from their respective districts
Messrs. J. w. Mattock, Nathan bubbles,
Henry Bans, j. c. Abbot A. P. Hall, F. P.
Henry Sawyer, United States
ASSESSOR N. Short, w. II. Johnson, w. NJ.
J. F. Ponsson, ]. C. Yarbrough,
r. J. Haily, A. c. Presson, J. III. Beaseley,
John Phifer, Schabod Larner, David Brewer,
J. P. Byrns, w. r. Peaver, R. ]. Bonner,
Daniel McElzea, Burrel Utty, w. c. jack
son, and Sherod Super. After which the
resolution was read and unani-
mously adopted:
Resoloea, That the proceedings of this meeting
be signed by the President and Secretary, and a
copy sent to the Editors of tho UNION AND
AMERICAN, witha request that they publish the
same in the weekly issue.
On motion, the meeting then adjourned
sine die.
ALLEN C. PREssoN, President
II, p. HAIIY, Secretary