The Van Buren press., 1868-02-28
The Van Buren, Press,
VAN BUREN,, ARKANSAS.
Meeting at Richland.

lhe members OF the "W hlte Man
Club" Richland Township, Crawford
county, Arkansas, met at Mrs, Bushmire's S
according to appointment OF previous
meeting, on Saturday 22d February, 1868
The meeting WAS called to order by the
President. Capt. b. j, BRowN, of Van
Buren, being present according to ap
lp)intment was invited to address tn,
club, which he proceeded to do in al
earnest and forcible speech. lie review
cd at some length that mass of filthy
matter, called Constitution, made and
adopted by the late so-called Consttu.
tional Convention at Little Rock. Show
ed clearly and conclusively that it was al
Instrument gotten up through revenge,
spite, and for the sole benefit OF the ne
gro and radical political aggrandizement
hot for the good, or benefit of the
country at large. Urged earnestly that
the people should go to the election on
the 18th day of March next, if they ever
expected to do any good for their coun.
try and posterty, and vote against the
adoption of the negro Constitution; to
pay no attention to any other election on
that day, but go to the military polls and
vote against the Constitution Can't
Browns remarks were listened to and re
ceived throughout with hearty applause
After Capt Brown concluded, Mr.. r.
Z. Perkins was called for who responded
in few words That he thought enough
had been said to the point to conyice the
most skeptical, that he also believed all
present were Of the same opinion with the
speaker, who had just left the stand if
he thought otherwise he would feel it his
duty to try to add other arguments to
change their notion.
The President being called for, re
sponded in short, sensible speech to
the point. Recited in Il telling manner
the wicked and selfish designs of the
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the misery and degradation that would
be brought upon us should the new Con
stitution be adopted, and closed by offer
ing the following preamble and resolu-
tions-Mr. Phillip Howell in the chair
which were read and unanimously adopt
ed: ruf
WHEREAS, The worst Of our anticipa-
tons and forebodings, with reference to
the design of the so-called Constitutional
Convention Of this State, to inaugurate a
policy which will complete our degrade
ton and ruin, have been fully realized ;
and, #"..
WHEREAS, Perhaps, but one moro op-
portunity will be given for several years
to come for the white men of this State
to WELD any influence in averting the dire
calamity, which withom much energy will
befall us, and that opportunity will be
presented on the 18th Of March next,
when the new or modified Constitution is
to be voted upon therefore, 3 ..
. BE II resolved, That we, the white men
of Richland Township, Crawford county,
Arkansas, in order to assert our regard
for our venerated ancestry, for the good
Of our suffering and PROSTATE country, to
pcrpctrate the form and beni On influence
of oar government, and to save ourselves
and families from the last, lowest and
backest infamy and degradation, we will
turn out on Friday the 18th day Of March
next, and vote against that chief Of in
iouitics, and diabolical scheme which
closes every avenue of the future and
blasts every hope for happiness and peace.
Resolved, That we approve the holding
of free barbecue at, or near, Van Buren
on the 10th Of March-will contribute
libcralIy to its support, and recommend
and request every white man in the coun-
try 10 attend. ... .tJ.. .,
Resoiped, That our much esteemed and
ndefatigable countryman, j. 5. Durham,
be requested to publish the proceedings
of this meeting in the columns OF the Van
Burcn Press. ....f
Col. Lock then moved that the mem.
bers Of this club meet at the " Picket
Hill" near Van Buren, on the 10th OF
March, at 10 O'Clock a. H., on the day oI
the barbecue and march in procession
into town The motion was adopted.
Mr. Samuel Runesdcn, moved that we
march with the Stares and Stripes and
music. Adopted. r.l.. ....
Mcssrs. John Howell, ). Ramsden, Nat
Couch and John j. Burrow, were appoint
ed committee to procure flag and mus
ic, No further business and meeting ad
journed. -. .f..
+. NJ LOCK, President.
ToItx + RlrRRo,yt Asst Spc'v