Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-05-23
The Governors Proclamation.


 left entirely to conjecture as to the reasons which have induced the call of the legisla- ture at this late day.
 Immediately preceding the meeting of the convention we suggested the assembling oi the legislature and urged upon the Gov ernor the propriety of converting that body. We published the proceedings of meeting after meeting in the various counties Of the State, urging the same policy. For req sons to us unknown, however, the Cover nor did not see proper to yield to the soil citations of the people, and did not act. Ii he really desired the meeting of the legisla- ture at such time as would meet public ex- pectation and subserve the public good, the proper opportunity has been allowed to pass.
 Our reasons for desiring the meeting of the legislature at the same time with the assembling of the convention were these; we desired the convention to pass the ordl- nance of secession, adopt the provisional and permanent constitutions of the Con- federate States, thus attaching Arkansas to the Southern Confederacy, elect delegates to the provisional Congress, amend our State constitution so as to adapt 1t to the new and altered condition of things and then adioum.
 The legislation necessary and incident to the new relations of the people could then be conducted ly the legislature in the man. ner provided for by the organic law of the State, and by the body to which the people | have been accustomed.
 This we thought to be the proper course, and had the General Assembly been called at first, we believe it would have been attended with the most salutary results and that all danger of civil strife would have been avoided. But the Executive saw pro- per to pursue another course, and by failing to convene the Legislature forced upon the Convention the necessity of assuming legls- lative power, and to provide at once for the safety and defence of the State The Con- vention has proceeded to do this, and just as it is upon the eve of closing its labors, and when the assembling of the Legislature can do no good, but must result in un- necessary expense and may bring on col lision between the Legislature and Cohven- tion. the governor issues his proclamation to convene the General Assembly. We would not judge the Governor harshly, but we cannot avoid the conclusion that this IS l the most unfortunate step of his life. Outside reasons given for the course of the Governor. assume that the formation of i the Military Board is an invasion of his constitutional prerogativeS and that the Convention has treated him with indignity. ! We do not know that these are his reasons, but if so, they are utterly inadmissible and inlelensible. The Convention constitutes the people of Alkansas and the Governor | is but their agent and their servant, and when they are convened and choose to act he has no rights. The Convention is itself constitution making power and can change or alter the constitutional provis- ion in regard to tLe executive or any other de aart@.1nt of the government. Nor IS 1t I Tany indignity to any officer of the govern ment if they choose to surround him with proper advisers. The epeople of Mississippi. Tennessee, Virginia and South Carolina have pursued the same course, and so far from complaining their governors have ex- pressed the highest satisfaction with the arrangement and have cheerfully lent the aid and influence of their personal and off cial position to giveit efficiency. Feeling the weight of the heavy responsibilities in duced by the present emergency, they have been glad to share them with such constitu- tional advisers as the people might suggest.
 To avoid the possibility of collision and civil strife, we understand that 1t IS the pur- pose of the convention to annul the Gov ernor's proclamation, and thus make the assembling of the legislature illegal Whatever it does, ought to be done prompt ly. A collision between the executive and the convention that may result in civil strife and internal commotion in our own midst, is disgraceful and intolerable, especially at q time when we are threatened with inva sion from abroad and our eastern and wes tern borders may at any time be overrun by 4 hostile enemy. A divided and distract ed people is the worst calamity that ever befell a country, and our rulers must be mad to bring upon us such disaster when we are surrounded by such perils as now threaten us.
 In our paper of to-day will be found the oath which. the convention has provided for the vorious officials in the State. It is eminently proper and to the point, and let all who refuse to take it be- treated as the Texans did Gov. Houston.
 WEDNESDAY, 12 o'cLocK.--Since writ ing the above we have been requested not to publish the Governors proclamation In compliance with resolve of the conven- ton he thus agrees to withhold it. We are glad of it. It is also currently report. ed that the Governor consents to take the oath prescribed by the convention. and to act with the military board of which he is er-ohicio the presiding officer.
 IS- Every sign in the heavens indicates the hnrstno of A great thunder storm on