The Van Buren press., 1861-04-10
Hon. A. 3. Greenwood.

It will be recollected. that during the sit
ting of the Convention, at Little Rock, that
great stress was put by our secession
friends, on the dispatch sent by Judge
Greenwood and Senators Sebastian and
Mitchell. giving their impressions Of the
meaning of the Presidents inaugural. As
drowning men catch at straws-so the se-
cessionist, hanging about the CONVENTION,
grasped At this.-assertins that these gsn-
tlemen were for the immediate secession of
Arkansas. and that all hope for settlement
was gone. Judge GREESwoop. after his
return home. seeing the construction put
upon the dispatch. has felt in duty bound.
to put to rest all doubts that may have been
entertained in regard to his position on the
questions now agitating the public mind.
He is for Cooperating with the Border
States. as tho following letter from him,
fully justi6es us in asserting -
BEsroxvnLE. ARK, April 81, 1861.
MR. EDrroR-
On the 5th of March, the day after the
Inauguration of Mr.. Lincoln, /, in conjunc
ton with our Senators, Messrs. Mitchell
and Sebastian, sent the following telegram
to the President of the State Convention
then in session:
WAsnnoros. March S, 1861.
To President Of Convention
Lincoln's inaugural looks practically to CO.
ercion-its language breathes mischief. Critten-
dens amendments voted down by Republicans.
- ~Lke D.~n <nvxforH
solutions voted down by Republicans.
A. B. GRKkxwooD,
c. B. mitchell,
W. +. SEBASTIAN.
The above dispatch has been comme- ated
upon by a portion Of the press in Arkan
sas, and construed as advising tie State te
secede at once. No such objec.. was design
ed by me. nor either of our Senators so fal
as l knew at the time. ,tsor was it design
ed by me to induce ths. belief that favored
immediate secession for il was known tha,
my views were a',erse to any such policy
and l still entertain that opinion. Wher
all hope OF saving the Government shsl
have been exhausted, would not then hesi
tate to advise Arkansas to take her position
With the Southern Confederacy. as we woult
ten stand justified before the world. We
! can certainly lose nothing by exercising
becoming patience. and await q reasonabl,
time, the final action of her Border Siste
States.
l cannot but believe there is yet hop
of obtaining proper guarantees. If
should be mistaken in this, Arkansas viii
have lost nothing by the delay, in maxim,
an honest and we'll directed effort.
In announcing the views herein indicated
l am aware that 1 am assuming the grav
responsibility Of separating from man.
warm personal and political friends. witt
whom it has been my pride and pleasur
heretofore to act. and the perilous condition
into which the country has been preciptate
must serve as my apology. if any is nee
essary. There is no citizen of Arkansa
that is more devoted to her interests, honor
safety and general welfare, than myself
and if on the first Monday in August sh
should conclude to unite herself at ono
with the Southern Confederscy, shall
every thing in my power to sustain her i
her new position.
Inasmuch as the object of the dispatc
referred to, has been misintsrpreted tits onl
object being to give facts, and our opinion
of the Presidents inaugural address, yo
will oblige me. by giving this brief letter
place in the columns of your paper.
/ Yours Respectfully,
| A z Gprrxwoo,.