Southern shield., 1850-09-21
A Word to the Whigs of Arkansas.

We have been silent upon the subject of establishing Press at Little Rock, which would reflect the opinions and wishes of the Wings of this State, under the hope that some one would take the matter in hand and point out its necessity. It seems, how ever, that no effort of the kind is being made on the part of our Whig friends at the Capitol, nor Go we hear much said about it in other portions of the State. Why this profound silence, and why this shynes in regard to a matter which so deeply con- cerns the well being of party, protesting to have certain political opinions of its own,-opnions which if put in practice will, it is honestly believed, promote the true interests of this great country with more certainty than those of the so called "party of progress" we cannot for our life conceive. Has it come to this, that the Wings of Arkansas are afraid to defend their principles, and speak them boldly through the pressl or are they trusting to "time and circumstances" to give them strength and influence in the counsels of the State?
 It IS true that the Democratic party has an overwhelming majority in the State But what of it. That fact should not alarm us, nor deter us from doing that which is essential to the dissemination of Whig prin- cipes, or from making them fel; and ac- knowledged by the people of this State. Wen now Whg administration. Yet this State, in which the Wings in times past struggled nobly against 'king numbers ; is without central organ to defend that administration, or 10 encourage the Whg party to further exertionS in behalf of such measures as are proposed, or may hereafter be proposed by it. This we say, is radical iy wrong and should be remedied.
 The Whig vote of Arkansas now numbers 10000 perhaps, and embraces much of the intelligence of the State. That number of persons, therefore, wish to read the news of the day, and no doubt at this time espe- clally, entertain patriotic desire to know what IS doing by a Whig administration which they aided in placing in power. It IS natural that they should in great part look to the capitol of their Stale for infor. nation in regard to these subjects, bu, wha, do they find there at present! Two papers of the opposite party, both engaged of course, in catering for the tastes of their Democratlc subscribers, but ever ready to pour poison into the Whig cup. No Whig press IS there to counteract the miserable islanders and reckless abuse which these two organs of the two wings of the Demo- cracy m th's State are weekly publishing to the people. Now we ask every reaec,ino Whig, if this State of things should Ionoer exist. Ought we not to correct it. Wbv should we give "aid and comfort" to narer. (the Banuer and Democrat, at Little Rool which in principle are offensive and odions to us! and which take every opportunity to abuse and vilify the Whig party of this State and the Union.
 We regard Little Rock at this time as the most eligible location in the Southwes, for the establishment of Whig paper; il would, if we'll conducted, have an extensive influence, and make money rapidly. We only wonder that some enterprising gentle. man has not seized the opportunity which is presented, and long since reared the Whig standard in our capitol. We hope that 1t will not continue so, but that our