Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-01-26
The True Issue.

people whether we Will nave convention or not, inasmuch as all parties seem con vinced that through a convention Is the only method of remaining in or going out of the Union. Assuming, therefore, that the State will be unanimous almost for a convention, we propose to inquire what issues presented to the people and it will be our duty as public journalists to see that the people are not deluded as to what is the true issue. It will be conceded by our readers that throughout the agita- tions of the last three months, we have acted prudently, and avoided everything which might tend to nasty or precipitate action, for while we fully believed that an memorable destiny would bend the South to a certain course, just as surely as blind fanaticism would impel the North from one aggression on our rights to another, we were unwilling to add fuel to the flame and assume the responsibility of inaugura- ting disunion, and, perhaps civil war. We have counselled moderation and temperance, as we desired the blame to rest on northern shoulders, and wished the page of history which shall relate the dismemberment of this once great, peaceful and prosperous re- public, to contain no record against the hitherto unstained honor of the South. But after eloquent men have told our wrongs to those who have trampled on our sacred immunities, and implored them by all the bright recolections of the fraternal past to pause in their mad career, and give us kindly assurances of quietude in the future; and after these overtures have been rejected, and insult added to injury---it is no longer question what we shall do, but how we shall do it--it is no longer a ques- tion whether we shall submit or not to con tinued aggressions, but how most efTectuallv and irrevocably we shall put it out of the power of the North to heap fresh indigni- ties upon us, and rob us under the cloak of friendship and the solemn forms of the constitution. We have long been con vinced that a united ,Soutb is our best and only sure protection against the encrnach- ments of the North--a South united in de- determined resistance to the inSidious ap- breaches of freesoilism, and sworn not to submit to the insult of president pledged to the creed of the black republicans, and forced ruthlessly on protesting South.
 If we are right in this opinion, then the only question to be considered is how We can nov best secure that harmony. The probability is, that before the meeting of our convention to secure this desderatum only one course will be left us-SeDarote State secesSion Five gallant States are already out of the Union. Louisiana and Texas are sure to follow, and in all proba- biity Virginia, North Carolina and Ten nessee will have sunAered the ties that bound them to the Union, and become in dependent republics In this State of things what course is left Us? If we were recreant enough to submit, would not an imperious necessity force us into resistance? Are not our business relations indissoubIy interwoven with Louisiana? Are not our interests identical with the interests of the South? Everything will force us into secession, and when we consider that this will be the only way to secure harmony among southern States, and that without harmony we can do nothing, is it not strange that any other course should be thought of or considered for moment?
 The idea that there can be in the present emergencies more than one So4ttern Dariy is absurd. There is and can be no such thing as corporation party-there are and can be but two--a submission party, a party determined to cling to the Union at all hazards, regardless of principle and honor-and a secession party, party de- termined to go out of the Union and to con meet the destiny of Arkansas with the des- tiny of the other southern States, whether that destiny leads them to form southern republic, or whether, under happier auspices and stronger guarantees, they determine to come back into the Union again, without the compromise of one principle or a single stain upon our bright escutcheon. Who in all the State will hesitate as to which of these two parties he will belong? The true issue before the people is, oljed submission or Sepdrate ,Stote oction?