The Van Buren press., 1872-07-02
Democratic Nesting.

Pursuant to previous notice. a Democratic meeting
was held at the Court House, in Van Buren, on last
Thursday night.
Hon. Hugh +. THOMSON was called to preside. W.
]. ALEXANDER and P. r. JOHNSON elected Secreta-
ries.
Messrs. G. Wilcox and B. J. BRowK addressed the
audience in explanation Of tho course pursued by
them and colleagues. as delegates to the Convention
which met in Little Rock. on the 18th ult.. in sub
stance. to-wit;
The difficulties under which we labored were great;
every County in the State was represented but two
all shades Of opinions discussed in caucus sthe
and our object was to fall upon some pan the best
plan to secure harmony and unity Of action. and
thereby do the greatest amount Of good to the great
est numbers.
The object not to commit the party, bat. as we
had been sent there the of peo
pie, to see to their interest and believing did
that we expressed their sentiments, we willing
to lay aside party preudices and party factions and
to work to relieve ourselves of the common burden
which rests upon the citizens Of this State.
Various opinions expressed, but the greatest
difficulty with which we had to contend, was that
urged by few members to adjourn without taking
any final action and thus leave the Demseratic par
ty, as we thought without ary organization and
without any definite course as body to pursue.
Those who advocated an adjournment were true
Democrats and thought something would turn up by
September, and we would then know better how to
proceed. But the majority report which opposed the
adjournment without some final action, was adopted
by an overwhelming majority, which was brough'
about by the " Cabel Resolutions, which was as
" oil poured upon the troubled waters. Some were
in favor of ndorsing Brooks and some for running
straight out Democratic ticket. We advocated the
Brindle Platform. because we honestly thought it
has hat nrefarred Rrooks a IN tch. but by
doing so. we are working in harmony with them and
the Liberals which will add strength to the cause Of
reform. And as the Brooks party and Liberals have
been federal soldiers and still true and sound Re
publicans, against whom the cry of ku-klux can
be raised or harrassed by worthless bobtail militia.
And we believed by uniting in effort with them, we
can obtain fair registration and election, which we
never have been permitted to have since the Radi-
Gals have had control. We left the choice of voting
to the people-they must exercise their own Judg-
msnts, but would recommend to vote for Brooks.
We think the consequence of any other course VIII
prove inevitable ruin. Another four years under the
present administration will bankrupt the State The
fight is one common fight it is the peoples fight 1t
is the oppressed against the oppressors. The ques-
ton is, how can we get rid of the burden, that il
grinding US to powder Who proposed to do most for
us The present party has done nothing but oppress
us stuff the ballot-box and thereby deprive us Oh
the right to which every freemen Is entitled issue
fraudulent certificates and thereby keeping in office
those who are not the choice of tho people and doing
many repulsive deeds too humorous to mention. Now
are we to look to them for help? They have had
many chances to relieve u.s. but have not done So i
they do So it will be because they are forced to
do it, for the poice Of the people must be heard in the
com ing election. They may, in fact they did propose
op the sly, to put soma Democrats on their ticket
hnt sncb offer ed with contempt by those
to whom it was proposed for we we're there as mem
bers without party prejudiees, untrammeled and not
aspirants for office, or to be bought wtDgreenbacks
or Minstrel bonds, but were there to represent
down -trodden people, and fully impressed with the
Importance our mission, and not to rely on empty
promises from any one If the Mnstrels propose to
give us showing it is because they are forced to do
it, like Congress, by the Cincinnati Convention, to
pass the Amnesty Bill. Well then We can't support
Clayton lladley Co. for these reasons III we were
to run a straight out Democratic ticket, the same
frauds as before, would be perpetraed upon us and
thereby the State House ring would have themselves
elected and not to vote al all will insure Minstrel
victory Arkansas is the only State at present Ia
boring under such oppression. Let us learn by ex-
perience and profit by the examples Of other States
Tennessee, Missouri and Virginia were once in our
condition. They to-day are relieved Of these bur
dens. Tennessee had her Center; Virginia her
Walker, and Missouri her Gratz Brown, and we say
let Arkansas have her Joe Brooks ifby him we can
be relieved from deporable condition. 1t is for
the people to say what they will do, we believe help
is at hand and ought to acceptt. by laying aside
party issues. if necessary. for the present. The
Democratic party by this does not lose its identity
but after the fight is and the enemy crushed the
party will be the as before. Wo only unite as
combined forced Of reformers against common enc
my. All we ask is fair chance, to come to the bal
lot box as freemen and east our votes as American
citizens The Brndos and Liberals are in favor of
this. Their platforms are broad and just-such as
every patriot desires. 1t is the duty OF all young
and old to engage in this contest for borty, and all
lovers of their country without regard to race, color
or previous condition, should unto and put: their
shoulders to the wheel pushing forward the glorious
enterprise Of our salvation.
Hon. II. +. Thomson followed with few happy
remarks. He did not love Brooks more but hated
Clayton, Hadlcy 4 Co. worse-and to choose between
the two, take the less evil would lay aside partysms
to be freed from the shackles of State rings and cited
Tennessee, Missouri and Virginia. examples of
harmony and unity in putting them to the roar. etc.
H.F. THOMSON, Pres.
W. j. ALEXANDER.
=. X. JOHNSON, Secretaries.