The Van Buren press., 1868-10-09
rhird District Democratic Convention

In compliance with suggestions mad,
by the Democratic State Central Commit
; Tee a convention was held at this place
September 2S, 1858, for the purpose OF
nominating a candidate for Congress N
I the Third COngPs sional District n
\ DR.. John u Stirnan Of Vel county.
called the Convention to order bynomi
mating DIR, John KIkwood, of Pulaski
county, for temporary chairman.
Dr' kirkwood, on stalking his seat, made
a few remarks, which were appropriate
and to the point
\ permanent organization was effected
by electing Maj. David West, ofPope
county, President; A. j. Fitch, II. Bor.
land aud W. J. buchanan, Secretaries.
Maj. West on assuming the chair,
thanked the Convention in few well.
lined remarks, for the honor conferred
as presiding officer over its deliberation.
! On motion, the chair appointed the fol
loving gentlemen as committee to DRAFT
resolutions, expressive of the sense of the
convention, viz c. p. Washburn, j. NJ.
Harrell, ii. j, Faleoner and &. T.. Toby.
During the absence of the committee.
Col X. 5, Can't, of Prairie county, was
loudly called for, and responded in tell
ing speech of nearly two hours; after
which,
On motion, the convention adjourned
to meet on the following day at l0A NJ.
... TUESDAY, Sept. 30.
The convention met pursuant to al.
journment.
The committee upon resolutions re-
ported as follows; -. ---- en- 90.
Resoired, That the platform of princi
pies of the Democratic party adopted by
the National Democratic Convention.
july B, ls6S, are the principles oftbe
Democratic party Of this District.
Resoired, That the candidate of the
Democratic party of this District, for
seatin Congress, as the representative
thereof, be pledged to maintain and de
tend those principles; especially that
plank of the platform which declares the
reconstruction measures of the 10th Con.
gress unconstitutional and void, and the
present State government Hereunder, to-
gether with all eections-his own includ
cd-in violation Of the constitution and
totally without validity. ..u.r Ed .
Resoiced, That as the only practicable
means which present themselves for Sc.
curing the assertion of these principles.
the candidate nominated by this conven,
ton, must be qualified to take the oath
of Office provided by existing laws, as the
condition of his taking his seat, and re-
ceiving the pay and emoIumcnts of such
representation,
Resotred, That we cordially sanction
the recommendation Of the State Central
Committee, in their address, calling upon
all who can do So uuder existing laws,
to qualify and vote in this canvass. be
lieying it to be the. last opportunity that
will be offered by peaceful means, to alb
judicate the principles of the constitution,
and the cause of selfgovernment in &C
cordance thereunto- T'i '''" ''' s' ".
The resolutions were unanimously
adopted ..
On motion of Col Cravens, the COP
vention proceeded to place in nomination
q candidate for Congress. I..
The following resolutions were intro
dgcod BY Col Clayens and unanimously
adopted: .-...l .-,., I'd ,......-
WHEREAS, Gen. John Edwards has dc
clined the nomination for Congress in the
3D. District, in letter to the Chairman Of
the State Central Committoe, dated Fort
SmitlE sept Is, 1868, for reasons there
in expressed; therefore,
Bet Resolred That this convention,
while regretting his declension, indulge
in the hope that he msy continue his able
efforts for the cause of constitutional lib.
erty; and We do hereby endorse him as
patriot and Democrat, having the con
idence Of the people at home or in Con-
gress.
Resolred, That because of the declen-
sion ofGen. Edwards so made, and the
declenslon Of DR.. John kirkwoop, favor
ably named upon this feor Capt Lucien
B. Nash be, and he is hereby, unanimous
ly recommended to the people of the Sd
District, as a patriot worthy oftheir sup
port, and we declare him our nominee
for Representative ofthe Sd Congression-
al District of Arkansas.
On motion, the chairman appointed the
following gentlemen to wait upon Capt.
Nash and inform him of the action of the
convention and invite him to appear be-
fore it, viz; John L. Stirman, OF Yell
Col Cravens, of Johnson; r. s. Can't,
of Prairie; c. f Toby, of Pope, and Jo-
seph Peevy, Of Sebastian
On being introduced Capt Nash re-
sponded in most eloquent and forcible
address, defining the issues before the
people of the State and nation, declaring
himself as standing firmly upon the prin
ciples set forth by the National Dcmoc-
racy.
DR.. John II. Kirkwood then offered the
following resolutions, which were unani
mously adopted:
ReSolced, That this convention adopt
the sentiment of the resolutions which
were offered by the Hon. Liberty Bartlett,
in the Radical District Convention at TT.
Smith, on the 25th, and by that conven-
ton rejected, without debate and in deris-
ion, to,wit: aHI
Resolred, That we earnestly favor the
education of all the youth Of the State,
ana we deprecate the action Of the last
Legislature in creating large number IF
useless school officers at cxhorbitant sala. |
ries, whereby the school funds of the
State re takpn ia nav tho solorioe of IF |