The Weekly Washington telegraph., 1871-07-26
ADDRESS

and Coascrraiice People 9f ArlaRsas:
In order 10 settle some questions Of
policy about which there was differ
cncc of opinion in the party, and espe-
cially that concerning the time Of
holdinga State Convention. the Central
Committee recently in 5iied the several
congressional district committees 10
meet with them in joint convention for
counsel and consultation. That con-
vention was held on the l0ih instant,
| tall the committees being prepnt in
full representation and, through lis
wise deliberations and results arrived
at, which, if they do not reflect the
tg,aHimoas sentiments Of the party, 1t
is hoped and confidently believed, will
be chccrfully accepted and acquiesccl
in by every member who has the
good Of the party and his country at
/ heart.
1t was the opinion of a majority Of
the district committees, aud finally
acquicsccd in by aHaaiaIoas vote Of
all, that 1t would be ineXpedicnt and
unwise to call State convention until
after the National Democratic Com,
mitco had published IA call for the
meeting Of national convention to
inaugurate the campaign Of 1872.
Accepting the declaration Of that opn-
ion as rejecting the predominant views
and sentiments of tn party, we have
accordingly declared it inexpcdient to
call Il State convention for the present.
In regard to the matter Of promul
eating platform, the convention,
though recommending a favorable
consideration Of TIE platforms recently
adopted by the democracy OF Ohio and
Pennsylvania, wisely declared that it
was not lawful or cxpedient for either
the Ccntrd or District Conm1lces to
provide a platform Of principles for the
palty--thal right and privilege being
within ihe erchnics province Of the
| national and State conventions. Fully
coinciding in the concctness Of that
opinion, we shall not attempt to fore
stall public opinion, or 60 in advance
OF the authoritative declarations Of the
patty, by asserting any new doctrine
or LAYING 'owa-any new line Of policy,
in reference to federal p'iitie', at yari-
ance with the previously declared
principles Of the party; deeming it The
better and safer course to leave the
people and press pcrfsctly free and
untrammeled to discuss any and all
new issues that may have arisen, and
which are to be regarded as open ques>
lions until such time as the party shall
meet in national convention and pro-
mulgate platform for the goyerQance
of ;he party, satisfied, as we are, that
in the assembled wisdom and patriotism
of the approaching national convention
Of our party, composed as it will be Of
delegates coming from every section
and representing every interest Of oul
broad land and union, all animated by
the same lofty sentiments of patriotism
and love for pure republican govern
ment and constitutional libcrty-al
sharing in the same common sense of q
common danger, and impressed will
The same common convictions of the
absolute necessity for a speedy deliver
ance flom the dangers that threaten t,
cngulf us all in one common ruin, tha
such wise, temperate, prudent auC
considerate counscls will prevail a.
| will result in the adoption of platform
entirely acceptable to the whole party
and upon which we can all stauc
without any surrender or compromls,
Of principle or honor and wage a sue,
cessful warfare against the common
euemy, radicalism.
Our province and our duties are no
ola Legislative but purely ofan crcra'io
character. 1t isour business and dut
act to make platforms, but to aid
direct and assist in the organization o
the party. And it is in the dischargt
of that duty and the furtherance o
that good aud important work, that W
-.11 .-.. ..-I. Al. .,tt.,.4s.., 49,.