The Van Buren press., 1867-03-01

The object of this Convention, is tc
unite the union party, of the State Of Ar
kansas and to lay the foundation of al
organization, which will instead of iso
lating, and rendering Us powerless; estab
lish Us as respected, il not dominant
party. .i.olsg N. -I a. -a .....
The elements of four parties, at pres
ent exist in this State; and will mention
first, the one which is represented here
to-day, composed of men who 6e6srea
and ,oAo still believe; that the government
of the United States, is the best on
earth and who so believing acted, when
her hour of peril arrived, some with arms
in their hands, and some who could not
bear arms, with theirsympathy and active
support. Among the articles of our po.
litical faith, would have placed upon
perpetual record, the following: bod.
lst. Loyolty is respectable, and all who
would oppose us, simply because we sup
ported the government of the United
States, as against the late. rebellion; we
regard not only as our political foes, but
dlso as men too dangerous to be trusted
with power, of any kind. And although
this class, is bat small one in Arkansas,
we would warn all men regardless of past
differences, against giving it encourage
ment or support. I'D In. .,, ,.,.. ...-..
ID We recognize the fact, that large
class of individuals who supported the
rebellion; are now earnestly the friends
of all reasonable measures and in good
faM, desire henceforth to be brothers, Of
a common country, and sharers in a com
mon destiny. And in establishing the
status OF our late enemies, we think dis
-tinetion should be made between this lat
ter class, and the dangerous class just re-
ferred to- ~ .
Sd, Universal human freedom is atlast
regarded ~ all parties, as an established
| fact inHnr
The Legislature of Arkansas, at its
present session, has extended to those
who were formerly. bondmen; all civil,
and political rights, except, the right OF
suffrage the decision Of which latter ques-
tion, is entitled to the grayest considera-
tion,. of every true lover Of his country !;
and one which should be decided Ony,
after the most mature elaboration That
| the vote Of these freedmen would not be
cast enrmasse for any one party,-is a fact
tootpotent to require further remark -
1 And think or say as you will about it,
4 these black men are smart enough to un-
I derstand, and honest enough to talk
about it, that many leaders who have
4 made haste, to declare in favor Of their
enfranc nchisement III Arkansas, looked for
one iastant only at the principal involved /;
and toreper afterwards to the prospect OF
getting this vote for themselves. can
/ inform these sagacious leaders, that they
reckon without their host and that a ma
4 joritv Of these freedmen will soon learn,
that they care nothing for them save to
get their votes and having once learned
this they will vote for the men, who IN
their opinion, will do them justice in all
| things; and not for the ones who talk so
long and so loud, in favor Of their rights,
hoping in their SECRET heart thereby, to
secure their unanimous support. The
freedmen already express their contempt
for such leaders, who, l hesitate not to
hazard the opinion will "open their eyes
(on this subject) when their brains are
knocked OUT POLITICALLY of course,
and mark this The time wiU come when the
rights Of these black men will have to be
protected, by the party which now quiet
ly awaits the adoption Of a definite policy
by the federal government, in relation to
them; as against these loud mouthed
gentlemen who camor now, for this,
that, and the other hoping thereby, to
manufacture popularity by acting the part
Of forestallcrs.
l'' Let as eschew this noise, and at the
proper time do what we may believe TO
be right, and for the permanent good and
peace Of the country; bearing ever in
mind, that these freedmen were placed
among rs without their own consent; and
made free by circumstances familiar to
us all.
/ said there existed the elements oil
four parties and / referred first to oui
own, which is represented here to day
| will next, notice the one, at the head oi
whose organization, stands Valentint
Dell, who styles himself "Chairman OF
the Republican State Central Committee, v
This party was larger Oh the day cf it'
organization than it is now, or ever viii
be again. IL then comprised many mer
eminent for loyalty and devotion to the
United States government together W it'll
some, who have, in justice, no claim tc
the name Of loyalty some otwhom vii
mention before | close. Many who actet
with Dclls party, did so, because his pa
per had been pounding away, until thu
impression went out that there existed
but two parties ore loyal, the other rebel
They have since discovered that this il