The Arkansas banner., 1846-03-04
TOTHE pEOPLE OF
ARKANSAS AND DEsHA COUNTIES,
 ARK A N s AS.

even recently, received from many of you, soliciting me to become a candidate for a seat in theSenatorial branch of our State Le- gislature, commands my undivided gratitude; whilst, at the same time, it affords me good reason to believe have formed some useful acquaintance with your interests ill this State. However, there is nothing desired, on my part, but an expression of the popular will of the people, l am unwilling, at the pres ent time, to consent to become g candidate for that oflicc inasmuch as there IS a day set apart, (the first Monday of April next, on which the voters of this district are request ed to meet in convention, at the Post ol Ar kansas, for the purpose of selecting sulta- ble person from among the many worthy citizens of the district, to represent you Ill the Senate of our next State Legislature. am prepared, without murmur, to iorego their wishes; to waive all my claims and pre- tentions, and submit to the free and unbiased expression of the will of the people.
 have ever freely assented to serve the people in any situation they have called me, but feel that have never thrust myself upon them; nor can now change my attitude, to a people who have ever extended to mo a most liberal share of their confidence.
 Should the people assemble at the Post of Arkansas in convention, at the time appoint ed, and express a preference in my favor, shall then declare myself candidate; and, as matter of course, desire and ask my friends to give me their most generous sup port-stll desiring, however, to leave the matter to the free and untrammeled choice of the People-haying no game to play for my own promotion, but feel determined, cheerfully and unreservedly, 10 submit 10 the action of the people as re speets myself, whether it leads me to public or private life.
 Liberty excites man to think for himself; and, acting upon that principle, l have long since declared myself a DEMoeRAT,-witliI due difference and respect for the intelligence and patriotism of those who think different ly.
 The right of instruction is my motta- with heart that is devoted to Liberty, Union, and our Conntry-one that is proud of the name of AMERICAN; and should l receive the nomination, and become the successful candidate, shall stand prepared to receive instruction upon local matters as we'll as State policy.
 feel bound, here, to express my feelings in relation 10 our State indebtedness. few years ago, our State was out of debt; the people taxed lightly; were prosperous and happy; but now, how changed--hoW great the contrast! The Treasury is exhausted, and the State deeply involved in debt but little less than four millions of dollars; with bonds at interest, little short of one hundred and eighty thousand dollars per annum!- This matter is one of much importance to the whole people of this State, and should be taken into their careful consideration, in order to ascertain if there is no remedy for the evil, without a direct taxation. Every day it Is put of, only prolongs our suffering and lessens our comfort. Our destiny Is poverty and misery, so long as we neglect this important subject We must establish system 10 pay this debt. What the details of that system may be, is an open question, to be discussed with due reference to the pe- culiarities of our Slate It is for the Legis- lature to devise and put into operation sys- tenn to meet our necessities, and D accom- plish the end proposed.
 IL is not my purpose, here, to enter into a specific enumeration Of the means the State has under her control, 10 effect the attain mcnt of our interest and wishes; but con- slider the State, as yet, is not wlhouta reme- dy 10 pay the debt, and to the members of our Legislature is conGded the important and responsible trust of developing the re- sources of the State, with which she may mectt the demands against her, without resort ing to direct tax upon the people--a state of things hope never to see.
 In relation to the State Bank funds, an clearly of opinion that it would be essen tial to withdraw them from the temptations and abuses to which they are at present ex- posed--remaining, as they do, unprotected by any law directing how they shall be dis posed of.
 Those funds should be applied, upon just and liberal principles, tc the payment of the bank liabilities; and if that be not done, there is much ground to apprehend, at no distant period, a total loss of the entire fund. But if jndieiously managed, and properly ap- piled to the payment of the bank debt 1t will lessen the burthen and assist in paying the State debt; which the whole people of this State are interested in, and may be bene- Gted by
 AS respects me heal Estate bank, her rights must be considered as private corporation, in the charter of which, are stipulalions de- signed 10 benefit both State and corporation: however, we find the stockholders have placed the effects of the bank in the hands of responsible and faithful agents, to be col ected and preserved, to cause the circula- tom to be taken in. And it is well known that the Stale pledged her faith and credit to raise the capital, by the sale of her bonds, bearing interest at the rate of six per cent. per annum; and we find that there is one hundred and eghty-lour of the citizens of this State, that have given mortgages upon 127,520 acres of land, (of which, l4,460 acres are in cultiyation), to indemnify the State against any loss or injury, in furnish ing the capital fer said bank
 am personally acquainted with many of the gentlemen who are stockholders in said bank, and also with their farms; and know them to be possessed of large amounts of property ol almost every description, and some of their farms are among the best in the State-the owners worthy, intelligent