Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-02-16
Audifnris Land 2alea-

We have heretofore called the attention of our readers to the increasing demand for lands in all portions of the State, and published state ments from the federal and state land officers showing the large quantities entered during the previous year. Had any person wanted an evil dence of the eagerness with which lands are sought, he would have found it had he been present at the Auditors sale of lands for the non payment of taxes held on the 9th inst.-- Some three or four hundred persons were pre- sent, and a good deal of excitement prevailed among them. About three hundred tracts, ge- nerally quarter sections, were offered, Of which, upwards of one hundred were sold, for sum amounting to nearly four thousand dollars, which was paid into the State treasury. The remaining tracts were donated to applicants as fast as the deeds could be prepared, and appll- cations enough to cover as many more remained unsatisfed. Thus, in two days, more than 4O- GOO acres of land were disposed of to actual settlers, and to persons who will pay taxes thereon.
 From these evidences of prosperity, as well as from the uniform tenor of letters received from all parts of the State, we are warranted in saying that at no former period in its hls- tory was the demand for farms and homes so great as it is now. Immigration is not confined to any county or ta any section. In the south large planters with their hands are settling upon and clearing up the rich cotton lands while in the north, the fertile valleys and uplands are rapidly filling with hardy farmers-theSe tlllers of the soil, of whom 1t has been truly said, that they constitute the sinews of State.- Despite the money panic, the gloomy prophe- cies of croakers whose "wishes are fathers to their thoughts the cry of disagreement by the enemies of the democratic party, and of democratic institutions, the aid and comfort" given to them by few professed democrats, despite all these our State was never in more healthy or prosperous condition. We have neither the space nor time to make out the full balance sheet now, but we will state few items shown by the books as far as they are posted A surplus in the treasury sufficient to defray the ordinary expenses of the State government for the next two years, without touching the revenue to be paid into the treasury for the past year and the present one-the condition of the banks brought to light, systematlzced, and the indebtedness being paid otf'-the rapid con- pleton of levees and filling up of gaps on the Arkansas, Mississippi, and White rivers, by which millions of acres of valuable lands are reclaimed and protected-railroads, checked for time by the panic, again in progress-a rapid increase in the wealth, population and resources of the country-these a few of the items presented for the consideration of those political | charatans who are eternaly ringing the changes on "family,' "ruin' and such clap-trap phra- l Ses.
 In the magnificent progress of Arkansas with in the last five years, her gain of character abroad, the development of her resources at home and her rapid stride to that place in the confederacy that her natural wealth and rich domain eutitlc her, there Is much to awaken pride in every patriotic heart
 The different sherliis are now engaged in taking the census of their respective counties, and we venture to pre- ct that if this duty is l properly performed the returns will show an increase of wealth and population astonsh- ing as it will be gratifying. When these returns are made we will lay the summing of them up before our readers as the most conclusive argu- ment that can be presente against these de- iamerS of our State who are in it but not of it." and who to gratify their malice islander the land that supports them.