The Van Buren press., 1861-03-13

tl0n. he gave a. INC St~seiy auS sei
ton that !" perhaps one-half of the families
Of the New England States. were without
evan hut to shelter their heads from the
COLI and piercing blasts which swept overE
their barren SOIL" His statements concer
ming the childhood training. the education
and the religious notions Of northern people
were as edifying as they were original. II
believe that Mr.. Tottsn is . good and patri-
otic old gentleman. but with all respect due
TO his .geand distinguished position, I must
say that he Is m;sinfGmed and mistaken.
His resolutions were referred to the Com
mittee on Federal Relations.
Patterson, of Jackson. introduced res
olution to raise committee of five to whom
should be referred all matters touching the
Confederated States of America Fish
back moved to lay on the table. Where
upon Mr.. Patterson made short, terse and
rather intemperate speech. which was repli-
ed to by Cypert and Fishback. in mild but
firm language. The motion to table. and
the resolution were both withdrawn.
Judge Floyd introduced . resolution to
appoint . committee of three to wait upon
the Governor and request him to commune
cate to the Convention all the information
in his possession concerning the political
condition Of Arkansas. (soI understood it. }
Gen. Tnomason offered An amendment that
he be also requested to inform the Conven-
ton Of all the facts touching the " seizure
of the United States Arsenal at Little
Rock. and "what causes. if any," induced
the same. Amendment accepted by Judgs
Floyd, and the resolutions passed. Moth
ing more of importance transpired.
The news from North Carolina is very
cheering to the Union men, and will have q
good effect
River about on a stand. and no prospect
of getting boat for two or three days yet
FRIDAY, March 8.
In my report Of yesterdays proceeding
in the Convention. neglected to mention
a resolution offered by Mr.. Fishback, to tn
effect that any attempt on the part of tn
Federal Government to cocrce by an arme
force a seeded State, would be resisted b.
the State of Arkansas, to tue last extremi
ty. One or two gentlemen wished to amen
by adding that an attempt to recapture tn
forts and arsenals taken by the secede
States, or to collect the revenue within thei
harbors, would be regarded as an act Of &C
ercion. Mr.. Fishback very promptly an
rspectfully (and not sneeringly as the 7ra
p DsMoc'W has declined to accept til
n amendment, and his resolution was referre
: to the proper Committee.
. A number of resolutions were offered +,
n day-the most important of which was
a well cotton up Ordinance of Secession.
: reference to the Committee on Resolution
= and Ordinance was moved. Mr.. Cvpe,
also moved its indefinite postnona....
- as--s,.----<Ts.1vrfonn nxvmg Precedence accord
ing the rules, the long and anxiously look
: ed for debate upon the question OF Seces
r sion will come up tomorrow, and 1 sup
e pose the Convention will come down to i,
: work now. in good earnest. l regret ex
ceedingly, that just at this interesting poiu
r my correspondence must close; but ar
anxious to get back to the pleasant and en-
, terprising City of Van Buren, and as tn
Leon leaves in the morning. l shall leay
? with her.
Judging from all the indications, it is m
conviction that it will be utterly impossi
, BILE for the Secessionists to pass an Ordin
| ance OF Secession. without having it sub
mitted for the ratification or rejection Q
the people. 1 do not think one will b
passed at all. but the Convention may Civ
the people an opportunity to vote them
selves out of tho Union if they desire i,
! No man can rightfully call himself free
man. If this his dearest privilege be wreste,
from him by Convention, ncr would b
be true man to silently submit to such a,
act of usurpation. The people should ant
must have vote upon so vital q question
and it they ratify an Ordinance of Seces
sion it will be the duty of every citizen t,
acquiesce in that secession, or-Ieave tn,
State. Such at least are the sentiments O
your friend H.
RESEwED. The Fort Smith He, aid
after . suspension of several montbs. come,