Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-01-19

Ahe electlon of Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin to the ore. siuency and vice presidency of the United c'ates has been seized upon as a fit occa. slon and as affording a sufficient cause of itself by some of the southern States and oy many southern politicians to autbor;za southern State to secede from the Union: and whereas, these facts being based on crisIs in the government of the United states, the development and termination of "hich must determine and settle the mo- mentous questions of whether the govern ment of the United States has the right and power to protect itself from internal as welt as external foes, by preserving the constitu- ton and enforcing the laws made in pursu- ance of that sacred instrument; and where. as, Tn all cases of danger to our country and government, it is not only the privi- lege, but 1t is the duty of all law-loviny and law-abiding people to speak out plainly and rebuke the spirit of fanaticism and in- subordlnatlon, come from whence it may, In view of these facts and for the purpose ot showing our fellow citizens, and espe cially our members now in the legislature the position we occupy on these momentous questions. Therefore
 lst. Resolued, That we do not repard the election of any man to the presidency, when done according to the law of the land and the requirements of the constitu- tlon, and in the absence of any official act ih violation of law or the constitution gives any just cause whatever to authorize any State to seeede from the Union.
 End. That when any man is elected to the Presidency of the United States accrod- ing to law and the constitution, he is the commander-in chief of the army and navy of the United States, and is sworn to pro. tect and support the constitution and en- force the law, and we are for holdisg him to strict performance of those duties.
 ord. That any attempt by either northern or southern States, or individuals with armed force to destroy the force of the constitution, or to prevent the faithful exe- cutlon ot the laws is not onl ly unauthorized. but is prohibited by the letter and spirit ot the constitution, and cannot be viewed in any other light than as treason or rebellion.
 4th. That we view with sorrow and regret the new fangled doctrine that is being attempted to be engrafted upon our government, that any State, feeling aggriev- ed by the general government, has the right to secede from the Union; this doctrine being admitted at once renders the consti- tutlon rope of sand.
 9th. That we are for the Union of the States under the constitution; for the en. torcement of the laws, and in the words of General Jackson, "the federal Union must and shall be preserved" is our motto.
 9th. That while we object to the idea of secession by any southern State, we as heartily object to legislative enactments by any northern States in open violation of the laws of the United States, or the re-. qulremehts of the constitution, and we deem 1t the bounden duty of every State, whether north or south, east or west, to keep step to the music of the constitution, the laws and the Union.
 ith. That while we deplorc the election l of Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Ham!in to the Pre- idency and Vice Presidency, we unhesitatingIy acquiesce in their election.
 Sth. That we consider ourselves devoted C7tFzErTs ths confederation, rurrT III Jrr ar7f equal proprietors in the rights, honors and the blessings of this heaven prospered coun try, until the spirit that has manifested itself in the North, shall have been more full ly developed ia organized and official vio iatlon of our rights and property, then when we have exhausted every legal and honorable resource to procure redress and indemnity, and not till then will we give mp this glorious Union, then will we in good faith and with strong arm buckle on our armor, having consecrated anew tc our country and our brethren, our lives our fortunes and our sacred honor, relying on the God of nations, who with immacu. late justice presides over our destines, gc forth and redeem from their thraldom, ou violated institutions and our prostratt liberties.
 9th. That we, as honest men, believe tha every man ought to pay his just debts wher due, or as soon thereafter as he possibl, can, and that legislation for the relief o debtors in it's results is far more beneficial to Enaves than honest men, and we hearti ly protest against the passage of the bill introduced in our State Senate by Mir Bel ser, to prevent the collection o any debts by the usual legal process for the space o two years, as pc nicious in it's tendency, a, precedent imparing at least the value O contracts, giving debtors who should fee disposed an opportunity to squandcr thei property, which was the basis of their cred and as oiicring a premium to dishones men to avoid the payment of their jus debts, by removing to parts unknown.
 lOth That copy of the foregoing pre- amble and resolutions be forwarded to th Little Rock papers for publication, and tha other papers throughout the State vii please copy.
 !, B. Turney, c. c. Williams. Kelly Fetherston. R. T. Dickson.
 Henry Helton, w. K. Sanford,
 G. w. lobe.
 On motion of M House, the 10th reso lution was amended so as to read thus:
 10. ResolOed, That copy of the fore going preamble and resolutions be sent t, our members in our legislature and tha they consider the same, and have ther published in the papers at Little Rock, an that the papers thoughout the State vii please copy; and on further motion, tn foregoing proceedings were adopted with out dissenting voice.
 On motion, the meeting adjourned.
 VIM. OWENS, CA'n.
 Nj. HoUsE, Sec'y.
 Letter from Hon. w. W. Watkins.