Des Arc citizen., 1859-03-04


 McCREERY, and others.
 -CIrIzENs: - AS freeman, born and bred in our Southern land of ln- dependence. and as a State Rights Demo- crat, without fear and disdaining conceal ments, I have not felt at liberty to decline the invitation to address you here tonight. I have had no wish to decline. On the contrary, gralified by the compliment ol the original request and at it's endorse ,nent by such an audience as this, re- ioice that am enabled, under such aus plces, to proclaim boldly, in this metro poIitan heart of Arkansas, whose pulsa- tons are reputed to reach the uttefmost borders of the State, words ot truth and honest counsel to the people-words ot warning and brotherIy entreaty to the Democracy words of rebuke and stern defiance to the enemies of both.
 The time was when 1 had greater strength physically, and was therefore more at ease as speaker. The rude Jars of accident have shattered nerves that once were firm, and sickness and pam have weakened voice before unused to hoarseness. But, though the body be bro- ken and its forces gone, the will of that man who is conscious of right never falters or succumbs. His defence is stronger than bat,lemented walls and armor ot triple steel. No circumstance can take It from him; no assailant and no assault can lessen its supporting influence. That proud consciousness l have, and by it's promplings-regardless of the nice straie- gies of polcy--I am here to speak to you If any persons are predetermined to con demn and misrepresent what l may say, l have no appeal to make to them; thelr censures, their perversions and themselves shall equally disregard. My hope Is that citizens who come to listen fairly will at least be led to useful reflection, wheth- CT my remarks have their entire approval or not. And may not indulge tue same hope in the case of our fair country-wo- Emen. whose beauty and smiles are the or naments of the occasion, and whose purity would sufice-if aught in human nature couId-to transform into limpid and health giving Siloam even the cess.pool of demagogism aud heresy of which will speak hereafter
 FEDERAL pOLITICS-CENTR l AND STATE RIGHTS.
 Tn the consideration of federal politics, I shall leave out of view those questions which, however great in their consequen. ces, are but secondary in their nature, and will go beyond them to the principles from which they eminate and which un' derie the system. Every government lS the seat of a conflict, lasting during Its l,fe.time based on the efforts made to en' large It's powers ard the struggles 10 con fine it to it's appropriate functions. Int pages of history are one unbroken recoft of these contests, which are as continuous and implacable as the moral war between good and evil. The classic annals o Greece and Rome, and all the dead na tions of antiquty-the archives oi mod ern empires and llingdoms-mght be lalt under contribution for proofs. But that |
 not requisite. The history of our owl country affords evidence enough, and Ina
 evidence is the only elucidalion ot ou politics. It is therefore proper, and
 trust will not be tedious, for me to discus
 some of it's leading facts.
 r After the war of the revolution, il blood-dyed articles of confederation were laid aside, like dismantled battle
 shin. on the score of non-adaptation to th
 needs of the constituent States. The pal ties to that league had made the govern
 ment resulting from it their agent givin
 it such powers as the 'art'cles expressed
 When those powers were resumed by tn
 principals, the agency ceased and tn ], agent died. That resumption ol bf bas al
 was the separa'e act of e{aGs on the part c : independent soyafted 10 what is terme
 each Sieh "a right then deemed clea