The Arkansas banner., 1843-12-09
From the Arkansas hteligeacer, Nov. I. DEFENCE OF OUR FRONTIER.

We learn from a source not to be doubted. that so long as General Scott remains Com mander-in-Chief of the Army. and has the private ear of the Honorable Secretary of War, to be influenced by his counsels, this portion of the frontier will remain neglected, and destitute of proper protection.
 We learn also that another obstacle in the way of obtaining competent defences on this frontier, is the unflinching opposition of Gen. Taylor, the. worthy officer who is now in command of this district His reports to Head Quarters of the safe and quiet condi- ton of affairs on the border-and his com potency to preserve peace with handful of troops, are General Scott's trump cards, with which he plays as adroitly as he does his ia vonte game of dummy" whist, whenever the subject of frontier defence is mooted. These "reports" of Gen. T., it is true, will secure to him the reputation of an able com mander, who can, at a small expense, pre- serve peace on an extended frontier, upon which are bordering materials so numerous, and so dangerous to the peace of the country.
 But, we would ask, Is the reputation of one military officer to be placed in balance against the feeling of security of the popu- lation on this frontier Must the peace of the country, the protection of life and pro- perty, be hazarded to make capital for Gene ral who already wears brevet as token of the confidence of the Government?
 With all respect due to the judgment of the gallant hero of Oche-chee-cho-bee. we feel 1t our duty to make issue with him upon this point We emphatically state that affairs upon this border are not in safe and quiet condition. That the handful of troops under his command are not competent to preserve the peace of this frontier. We feel no secu- rity in our lives or property from such a source. His army is the subject of ridicule Ills poacer Is treated with contempt. We appeal to all but his army, (and even to a large portion of it,) for confirmation of our assertion.
 We understand that Gen. Taylor expresses an opinion that Fort Smith should never have been ommenccd-therefore we can see arhg 1t is not progressing or finished.
 Under this state of things, we can see no possible chance of obtaining respect for, or attention to our rights and interests. It then becomes our duty, in self-defence, to use our exertions, fairly and honorably, to alter it. We must s.strike at the root to remedy the evil" We should ''leave no stone unturned' to have this ssdrag" upon the Army and the Government abolished It is preposterous to say that there should be a Commander-in- Chief at Washington, besides the President The people have long been awake to the fact that this office IS a sinecure, and one in which a man can gratily his feelings of arro- gance, jealousy and hate; and one that is in- consistent with our simple and economical Government, and ought to be abolished It therefore behooves the press, in general, and of this State in particular, and of all who sympathise with frontier population whose feelings are trampled upon by this high offi- cial, to labor for this end. We hope our delegation in Congress will be mindful of the importance of this act.
 Although the opinions and the course of Gen. Taylor conflict with our interests and feelings, he nevertheless retains our respect and esteem, A more worthy officer our army has not in its ranks; but still he does not an- swer the wants of this frontier; and therefore, m the course of business, we must exert our selves to get another s.transfer." We call the attention of our contemporaries to this subject. It is one of great importance to portion of their fellow-citizens, and we feel no doubt that they will lend us a ''helping hand"