The Van Buren press., 1867-12-20
Address Of the Democratic State Central
Committee
RooMs or rHE DEMOCRATIC SrATE
CENTRAL COMMITTEE,
little Rock. ARK. Dec OH. 1857 \

fFsNNaN hNNNhf ~hANfs af'eNF '.Naf A".'fff
To ne People Of Arlansos:
II has been made the duty ofthis com.
mittee to take steps to place in communi-
cation with each other, by means Of a
thorough organization. all the opponents
Of negro supremacy in the state
1t has been thought proper, therefore,
10 issue an address TO YOU in explanation
Of our action thus far, and of the means
adopted TO place this movement on foot.
The meeting in the city ofLittle Rock,
which appointed this committee, was
composed of gentlemen from different
parts of the state, who happened to be in
the city at the time, without regard to
former party aiiiliation, and with the
single qualification that they were oppos-
cd 10 negro suffrage. That meeting was
unwilling to assume more authority than
was absolutely necessary 10 institute more
mem looking fowardS organization and a
concentration Of our strength, 1t was deem
cd improper to do anything further than
that. but, under the circumstances, per
fectly legitimate to do that much
The impossibility of having state
convention in time to accomplish any
good, WAS apparent to all. Accordingly,
the meeting appointed this committee
subject TO ratification BY county conven.
tons throughout the state and made it
our dltty.in the meantime to proceed with
the work Of organization. We have ac-
cepted the trust, and now appeal to the
opponents Of negro suffrage everywhere
in the state to perfect their county and
township organizations, at once, and place
themselves, through those organizations,
in communication with this committee.
There should be democratic club in
every township and a county executive
committee at every county seat. The
enemy has his forces disciplined and well
iii hand, api we must not expect success,
except that we strive for it in an energet-
ic manner, and with perfect concord and
harmony in our own ranks. That har,
mony Of feeling and the unity of action,
now more necessary than is ordinarily
requisite in political campaign, can only
be secured by perfect organization.
Unser the peculiar circumstances sur
rounding US, it must be so that each op-
ponent of negro supremacy may, through
the committees of his party know exact
ly what policy will be adopted by those
who sympathise with him, in distant por-
tons of the state so that one Of our
number in Benton county, for instance
may act in unison with his political friend
in Chicot, without the risk of differing
with him in his line of policy when be
tween them there is unity of sentiment
That very large majority of the reg
istered voters of the state are opposed to
the adoption of aconstitution which con.
fers the elective franchise upon class OF
persons who have just emerged from
slavery, and are in every respect unfit to
be entrusted with so high privilege, and
the practical operation Of which would
have the effect to give the control Of the
state government to that class, no truth
full man will deny That such majority
will vote against constitution embrac
ing provision Of that kind, if they vote
at all, is equally certain. That the peo
pie of this whole country-th whose
fathers established the government ant
have made the American name respect
able and respected cverywhere-have de
termined that this shall be achite man.
government, will not be questioned, il
view of the astonishing results Of the re
cent elections in different portions of the
union.
The voices OF the democratic and con
servative masses Of the north call upon
Us now to assist in defeating the attempt
of rsdicalism to destroy our old const-
tutional government and set up in its
place one in which others than white men
shall have the controlling influence. We
must heartily respond to that call,
To accomplish the purpose, we must
be as united in the line Of policy to be
pursued as we are in sentiment and opin-
ion upon the main question itself.
Former divisions and differences must
be ignored, and all chickering's hushed,
until we shall have won the battle for
which our common enemy is now making
such admirable preparation
Each county should at once hold a
convention and adopt resolutions expires.
sive of the sentiments of the people and
suggesting the better mode OF defeating
negro suffrage, whether 10y calling out
our full strength and voting down the
new constitution, or by remaining away
from the polls and thereby making the
election failure under the act of con
gress. In due time, when the opinions
of the party throughout the state upon
this point shall have been received and q
conclusion arrived at as to the preferable
policy in that behalf, a second address
will be issued, or other means taken, to
announce such conclusion and to ensure
unity among ourselves in that particular.
In the mean time lot every patriot in
sympathy with the movement, consider
it his duty to go to work at oace to per
feet the organization Of club in every
tOwnship and an pyecOtiye committno ot