The Van Buren press., 1867-03-01
UNION CONVENTION.


at the Court House, in Van Buren,, on
Monday, at 2 o'clock, p. m. and was or
ganized by the appointment of General
Bowen, of Crawford County. President,
and HENRY SMITH, Esq, of Sebastian
County, Secretary. The Rev. Mr.. Ste
venson of Clark County, opened the Con-
vention with prayer,
The President stated the object of the
Convention, as follows:
[Gen Bowen's speech will be found on
our first page.-Ep
On motion Committee Of five was
appointed, with Dr. j. Z. Bennett, Of Sc
bastian, as chairman, to report reSolu
tions; who reported the following pre-
amble and resolutions:
WHEREAS. Universal peace and quiet reigns
supreme throughout the State Of Arkansas !;
no riots. mobs OF other disorleriy proceed
inSs having occurred since the close OF the
war (as in Louisiana and some other southern
States to warrant the belief that any of Our
citizens would for moment countenance an
interference with the execution OF law. and
Whereas, Our present State Constitution,
Created under the auspices of loyalty with
but slight amendment would fill every re-
quirement necessary to guarantee the govern
ment OF the State by loyal men. And
Whereas, The temporary suspension of law
and the functions OF our local officers, which
must to q greater or less extent, occur III eur
entire State Government should be abolished
and superseded by new order things-thc
creature ofan enabling act,') might, and by
some, no doubt would be regarded, As a license
to lawlessness and bring much trouble and
danger, if not bloodshcd. whicn law abiding
citizens would be powerless to prevent, and
which might render necessary, the use of an
army, which we feel would be ruinous To our
State, and which we think would not be re-
Quired four counselS are needed and acted
upon; Therefore
Resolred, LIST. That in view of the quiet.
which has ever since tn, close of the war now
nearly two years. prevailed in this State.
which blessing, we in common with our fell
low-citizens, value rs a priceless boon, which
We ito not wish to exchange for an uncertain
ity. We ask, that the present Government
of Arkansas. be not abolished. but continued
in fun force and effect, Us the basis upon which
that ,chaterer may eventually be the policy of
the Federal Government. in relation to Arkan-
sas, that the rights of loyal men, and the peace
and safety of the entire community, will be
most etfectually preserved by pursuing the
course indicated.
Resolred, Cd. That Intelligent suffrage gives
greater promise of perpctuating republican
institutions, than any plan which proposes
mere property qualifications; We therefore,
favor the former and oppose the latter idea.
Resolred, 81. That universal human freed
ON, is the only rule compatible with the spir-
it and name of a free government; and it is
with pride,that we announce that no party er-
lists in the State Of arkansas, which would re-
establish condition of human bondage, if
empowered so to do; and that the prcjudices
of the age are past. giving way to the spirit of
enlightened civilization.
Resolred, 4M. That i'm our opinion, security
for the future. rather than indemnity for the
past, should be the rule of action applied to
the solution Of the problem of reconstruction
and that therefore. Il distinction should be
made between those who have in good faith
returned to their allegiance and those who by
their conduct, have plainly proven themselves
to still be the enemies of the Federal Govern
ment; and that we can see no possible danger,
which could result from the exercise of quail
IlcU suffrage, Dy the FORMER CLASS,
Resolred, 5h. That the twcnty-six States
now represented in Congress, did not of them
selves restore the rebellious States. (as resolv-
Ell by the F't Smith convention of Dec. l3, lS-
&C., on the contrary. the loyal men of the
South turned the tide of the war in favor of
the union; and we appeal to the honor and
magnanimity of those twenty-siX States, to
bear witness to the trath Ofour prOp0sition
Resolced. 6th. That we do not recognize Mr.
V. Dell, now in Washington as q representa-
tive of the wishes or interests OF the LOYAL men
Of Arkansas. His record convicts him OF
trcachcry to both parties during the war; and
Of having failed to fight for either
Which were read and unanimously
adopted.
DIR. Bennett offered the following re
solution "That State Central Commit
tee of seven be appointed, with General
Thomas NJ. Bowen as Chairman, which
Committee shall have power to add twen-
ty additional names, at their discretion,
for the purpose of more efectuoly or
ganizing the " Union party Of Arkansas"
oiit ehot WIG ASAl SOut tlillOil uGlu ul
Little Rock" Which was adopted.
Whereupon, the President announced
the following names Of said Committee
DR.. j. E. Bennett, Thos. Mills, Gibson
G. Robertson, Capt. j. Howard, Henry
Smith, S. W. Murphy.
On motion, the Van Buren, Press, Fort.
Smith Herald, and other papers, opposed
to the Ft. Smith organization, were re
quested to publish these proceedings.
Convention then, on motion, adjourn
ed sine de- ...
TllOS. NJ BOWEN, President.
HENRY SMITH, Secretary.
CoNNuNDRUM.-Why are certain tan-color-
OIL Ia ap,s IL, tl.lf 4 IL, Tr!A..