The Van Buren press., 1867-09-13

sB- Among the published proceedings Of
the Radical County Convention, as appearing
in the Fort Smith STANDARD, we find letter
from nine black men, addressed to the Chair
man of the Convention. Although we were
careful observer Of what took place on that
day. we failed to notice anything Of the kind
as having been offered We venture to say,
that not one Of these men will come forward
and substantiate the charges made-or init
nations that southern men have nrn-oo"hrh
them to induce them to oppose certain men
Gen. Bowen) for any Office. The whole thing
was trick of Bowen's to create the impress
sion that southern men were trying to defeat
his nomination, in order to rally to his sup
port men who were his bitter opponents
among the consistent Radical men Of the par
.ty. We caution the black men against being
led into a conflict with southern men (their
best friends) by this trickstcr:
VAN BURES, CRAWFORD Co.. ARK,
August 3lst, 1867.
To the President Of the Union Republican
Contention Of Cra,cford county:
The colored delegates to the convention
over which you have the honor Of presiding,
desire In behalf Of the Freedmen of this coun-
ty to submit brief statement in regard to
certain matters.
lst Men who were and are opposed to the
Union have approached our delegation to in
duce us to oppose, for nomination in this con-
vention, the men, who above all others we de-
sire nominated-true and tried soldiers who
risked their lives In the great cause which cul-
minated in our freedom.
ID. The same class of man have ATTAIN mpf ri
to induce us to circulate newspapers claiming
to be the embodiment Of loyalty, but which
TEEN with abuse and SANDER of those whom
we consider our truest friends; and we are at
the same time and by the same disloyal men,
informed that certain newspapers not get is
sued, were to contain attacks on our friends
t.hich to as looked re,y much lie an under
standing between said paper and the disloyal
men above referred to. t ..
3rd We have received document from Sc
bastian county, having for its object nothing
less, than to array us against the men in
whom we have most confidence, and To induce
us to oppose them In this convention.
Now in answer to all these things we wish
to say distinctly:
lst. That the colored men of Crawford coun-
ty know their friends and propose to stand by
them, and that all Interference by men who
do not belong to the Union Republican par
ty, only tends to bind us stronger to our
friends within the party.
ID We will call upon men who reside out
Of the county for advice in regard to our local
affairs, when we wish such advice. We claim
to know our friends and will try to regulate
our own affairs, in our own way. And will
further say that we have no use for newspa-
pers which have to be circulated through the
opponents OF the Union Republican party.
Sd. What the colored men desire Is life, lib
erty, the pursuit Of happiness and free schools
for our chlldren-not olfce--we therefore pre-.
sent no colored candidate for nomination.
ltnay not be improper to add that we will
not be deceived by any effort the opponents
Of our party may make to divide US, by run
ming colored men against our regular nom-
nees, The workman is master, the tool only
does his bidding.
Respectfully, &C.,
GEo. IIoop, ... SAM'L. WHITE,
MILTON MONROE lsAM BANKS,
WIN. JACKSON, w, II. ARpouGH,
RICHARD TURNER II. AuARr,
tgejr SAMUEL AGNEw.