Washington telegraph., 1852-06-09
- SAithsOn's Response to the
People of Arkansas.

People of Arkansas.
The people of the counties of Benton, Carroll
Madison, and Washington, in public meetings as
sembled, have called upon me to become candi-
date for the high and responsible office of Govern
or, at the approaching August election have
also received numerous solicitations from other
portions of the State of like import With due
respect for these manifestations of public senti-
ment, as well as for the qualification of my own
inclination have determined to declare myself a
candidate for the high trust referred to- subject to
YOUR decision at the ballot-bo box
In making this announcement, am, as you are
aware, but exercising the right of freeman, and
at the same time, acting in compliance with the
desire of a respectable portion of my fellow-citi-
zens What the result may be remains for you to
determine.
long residence among you has given me an
extensive acquaintance throughout the State; and,
therefore it must be almost needless to tell you
am Democrat of the strctest school. Whilst
extending to others honesty and sincerity in their
profession of different creed, l have humbly ad-
vocated the principles of the Democratic party.
believing them to be the sulest foundation of pros
perity to the country and of safety to our repub-
lcan institutions.
have been taught from early life to revere the
Constitution and Union of this Coniederacy: be-
eving that in union there is strength and safety
have ever been. and shall be. devoted to its
DreSerVdIlOU dill Dut uOI dC all Sdcrl0CeS
not at the sacrifice of the rights of the States in
terest and honor of the South. That the Union
may continue under the Constitution pillar of
strength to the whole Confederacy and guardian
of the rights of the States will ever be my prayer
That the prosperity of the happy millions who re-
ioice under its protection may be stimulus and
hope to the entire human race, is also my most
deyout wish If | should have the good fortune
to be elevated to the Executive chair of this
State my policy shall be to watch with scrupulous
care the rights of the State, while shall endeav-
or to inculcate confidence in our General Govern
ment
1t is impossible for me. in this brief paper, to
lay before you all my views on State policy. On
few # the most important subjects; | will frank
lv and candidly give my views. The subject of
Education has been much neglected in Arkansas.
A cheap and efficient system of common schools
is what most deserves the attention of our legsla-
tors The Common School will at least qualify
the yeomanry of the country for the ordinary pur-
suits of life and extend to them knowledge of
their rights and duties as citizens. The education
of the common people, In a civilized and free
country, requires the attention of the public
than that of the people of wealth and leisure
They have but little means or time to spare for
education. Educate the people-the whole peo-
ple: the more they are instructed the more will
they feel themselves each, individually, respecta-
bic; the more will they feel their responsibility in
society. Educate the people and the country
will improve.
The subject of Internal Improvements is one
that occupies public attention everywhere. more
than in Arkansas. But, in our own State, public
sentiment is awakening to its vast Importance. l
am one of those who do not believe we are too
poor to begin in the good icork; but firmly believe
that five wait until there becomes one general
sentiment that are rich enough to begin, the
day of beginning will never come. When the
~ 4l<l -, {l,%
we are rich enough to embark in Internal Improve
ments most of us will think we are well enough
off to let well enough alone. 1t is never too late
to do good: and the sooner the better. The
make roads through our country the will
an overiowing tide of emigration pour into
State Our rich soil will smile under the hand of
the husbandman. The miller, the manufacturer.
and the miner, will be at work, and the rich re-
sources of Arkansas will be developed adding to
the aggregate property of the people, and pouring
a revenue into the impoverished Treasury of the
State One WORK OF INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT
will test the advantages and value OF the system
and will promote the construction of others. Then
! say begin. l not hardiy Uhere tce begin, 50
that IS on route Gtut presents some adrantdges-
The proposed Central Railroad" promises all the
advantages, and presents to nucleus around
which our system of Internal Improvements
be wrought to advantage. The road once opened
from Memphis, the great central point in the val
lev of the Mississippi to Little Rock the flood
gates of emigration may be considered as raised,
and there will be one unceasing tide into the heart
Of ot- State. From this trunk branches can be
constructed leading to the north, the south, and the
lCea.
1t will be my pleasure, if elected to the Execu-
tive Chais to shape public sentiment and the poll
cy of the State 50 far as my influence may eX-
tend to the promotion of this most important
work as well as the construction of plank roads
and turnpkes. to ntersect these general thorough
fares.
Experience has carried conviction to the least
rejecting, | suppose, by this time, that the act
distributing among the counties the proceeds of
the 100000 acres of land, donated by Congress for
purposes of Internal Improvement, is unwise. 1t
was no doubt conceived and carried out in good
faith. but the result of its operation has proven
failure. 1t would be better to repeal this act,
even if mo general system of Internal improvement
can be adopted by the Legislature, al present Let
it remain in the State Treasury until public senti-
ment can be settled down upon suitable object.
have no local prejudice to CRAFTY; my highest
ambition would be to see the fund expended upon
some object of a general character and utility to the
State
Almost my whole lifetime has been spent in
Arkansas; my interest, whatever it may be, is
identified with yours. and should | receive the
honor which crave at your hands, pledge my
self to every effort to promote the honor and
interest OF our common country.
As ever, / remain your tellow-cltizen,
BRYAN H. SMITHSON.
Fayetteville Nay 2la, 1852.