Des Arc citizen., 1859-12-14
For the Des Arc Citizen.
 THE IRREPRESSIBLE CONFLICT.

l THE IRREPRESSlbLE CUNfLlCI.
 MR. EpIToR. the outbreak at Harper's Ferry, we ought to learn a les son, seeing as we do to what end the "lrre- pressible Conflict" doctrines of Seward and his colaborers are tending. If it be true as asserted by MT. Seward, that there is an "irrepressible conflict" between slave labor and free labor; and as asserted by others of that school, "that slavery can only be exterminated by force," then we may look upon the Harper's Ferry diff culty as only the "beginning of the end" ," We of the South should begin to set our house in order. "In time of peace pre- pare for war;" is maxim not less true than old. The war has been commenced
 the ''irrepressible conflict" is being waged; why stand we here idle Shall we be still till our enemies have compassed us about, bound us hand and foot, and led us captives into the victors camp. God forbid. Seeing as we do, that we are not treated as equals in the Union-that our rights under the Constitution are not respected, and are in danger of having civil war thrust upon us, 1t behooves us to see that all is right l in our midst-and all who do not sympa- thise with us, or who are opposed to the institution of slavery, should be given a reasonable time to leave-and should they fail to do so, within that time, should be treated to Q coat of tar and feathers, and made to leave forcibly. l know this proposition of mine will be objected to by some who are good southerners, because they will say it is contravenng that right which under the Constitution every man has to go from one part of the Union to any other without fear or molestaton. - To such reply, that self.preservation is the first law of nature. And to shield ourselves from danger is the first duty we owe 10 ourselves and the country in which we live. The evidences before us and in our possession, are that every part of the slave states is prosecuted by the agents of the aboltionists. They are among us as ministers of the gospel, school teachers, pedlars, gypsies, drummers, Sc. Strange faces are constantly among us-they ap- pear to have no particular business-are not seen doing any thing-are not heard to inquire after business. They are here but short time and disappear, we know not whence they come or whither they goeth. Strangers have been seen in our town looking around negro houses and kitchens. Strangers have been seen at unusual hours of the night, in the out skirts of the town. To my mind bis is a suspicious circumstance and one that should pu. us upon our guard, and which it seems to me would justify us in taking some steps to ascertain the business of those who are now, and who may come among us, doing nothing and asking no employment, and who are strangers. It is certainly time for us to be up and doing. No halfway measures will do. l recom-
 mend that the citizens of Des Arc hold meeting, that resolutions be passed re- questing all persons inimical to the nssi- tuition of slavery to leave by certain time-,hat vigilance committee be form- ed that the town authorities increase the city police with power in said police to deal summarily with all persons found in suspicious positions, and in such manner as may seem best 10 said police. That the vigilance committee have the same power and be requested to act in concert. |
 Something of this sort should be done, and done soon. It is no time now to be quiet or sing the old song of "materly in- activiiy" Union, glorious Union." The glory of the Union now is in a united South. We have shown our pluck upon battle fields in distant lands-let us show some of the same spirit at home in the protection of our homes, our rights, altars and fresides. Now Is the accepted time the day of preservation is at hand.