The Van Buren press., 1867-06-14
Public Meeting at Helena.

SiOh VI thN tN'b'H' hu"fti w NtNi
zens, without distinction of party oi
color, assembled at the court room yes
terday at 3 O'clock. Hon. I. b. Hanly
was invited to the chair, and briefly stated
the object of the meeting, urging upon all
the necessity and importance of harmony
and unity on the vital issue now before
the country On motion Of Maj. Swee.
ney, Messrs. W. G. Nelson and s. ii.
Clark were appointed secretaries.
Upon call for the reading Of all the
acts of Congress pertaining to recon-
struction, MIR. w. II. Rogers responded,
reading in clear, full voice, the audience
giving signs of impatience toward the
last, to see and hear what was to be said
and done, and who were to lead Off Po
litical meetings are of SO rare occurrence,
particularly one bringing together the eX-
tremes of color and opinion, that an in
tense expression of curiosity was depict
ed in every face Those who were seated
in the rear Of the hall climbed up on the
backs of benches, with the eager demon
stration of people at show to gain an
mobstructed view Of the movements near
the chairman's stand.
After the reconstruction acts were read,
it was moved by nj. H. Wygant, Esq,
| that 2 committee Of five be appointed 10
present resolutions to the meeting, the
motion was carried and the following
gentlemen appointed on the committee,
to-wit: M. H. Wygant, Esq, Gen. T. C..
Hindman, Maj II. Sweeney, Maj. W. +.
Moore and Capt. j. {. Maccabc.
A resolution was offered by DR.. f. n
Burke purporting full acceptance, in good
faith, of the various acts of Congress re-
lating to the rehabilitation of the States
which was, on motion, referred TO the
committee, who then retired to prepare
resolutions
Whilst the committee was out delib
Grating, the meeting was entertained by
various speakers. Gen Pillow being
loudly called for made profert of himself
and after making few pertinent remarks
stating that the south had now to deal
with facts as they exist, and not theories,
and expressing his acquiesence in the
measures of Congress, excused himself
from making speech. Mr.. Rogers was
next called to his feet, and made a few
well-timed remarks, in which he alluded
to the yat at5s to see Rcnr Rdt h
career of prosperity which her restora-
ton to the union of the States would at
once enable her to do. In the course of
his remarks he dropped an issue with
Gen. Pillow, which brought the General
before the audience Il second time and
drew him out in lengthy and eloquent
address, which was listened to with mark.
cd attention. We regret that our limited
time forbids presenting the substance Of
his remarks, particularly those addressed
to the colored people, which were emf
nently appropriate, and met the warm ap-
proval of all present. He but expressed
the sentiments of the whole southern
people toward the race-sentiments which
would be the basis of perfect harmony Of
feeling and interest between the races, if
the freedmen would repudiate, as they
ought, the incendiary speeches with
which designing men, and radical emissa-
ries are belaboring them throughout the
south.
Rev. Mr. Brooks, Of Mariana, was next
invited to address the meeting. He was
gratitied that meeting had been called
to agree upon harmony of action in re-
gard to the issues before the country 1t
could not be expected that perfect unity
could be obtained at once, or that the
convictions and lifelong principles of
either side could change, but that it was
in our power to address ourselves to
those points upon which we are willing
to stand together, north and south, and
let die essential points of difference
The living issue was the acceptance Of
the reconstruction measures Of Congress-
and who were to be entrusted with the
work Of reconstruction. Upon the latter
point our notes fail to inform us as to the
speakers meaning. He favored Greeey's
doctrine Of universal suffrage and univer-
sal amnesty, and was opposed to the tax
on cotton.
When the last speaker concluded, the
chairman of the committee rose, and read
the Following resolutions, unanimously
reported by the committee:
Resolved, That we, the people Of Phil
ips county, Arks,, without distinction Of
parties or color, waiving any expression
Of opinion as to the nature Of the recon
struction measures Of Congress, believe
said measures should be accepted without
delay or hesitation, and all their require
mcnts carried out in good faith, as full
and final settlement Of the issues growing
out of the late war.
ReSolped, That efforts to impose other
conditions or penalties than those refer.
red to, or to keep up sectional bitterness,
or create war Of races, should be dis
countcnanced by every patriot, and we ac-
cordingly proclaim our wish and intcn.
tions to maintain kindly relations with all
men coming among us, rs also to secure
to the colored population every right
/ Al Ill, o., la. tIn n1,.,,