Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-01-31
non,s he Alarmed

imaginary ones created. To- great, wealthy and intelligent people like the South, no dangeris to be dreaded except weak counsels. We have nothing to fear from external or internal enemies if we will but look facts in the face, and realizing our strength and the lofty destiny that awaits us, meet at once and forever the issue that presents itself. You will find an alarmist who will assure you that he is in favor of resistance, but fears the South cannot support government without excessive taxation. This sage ob- servation is made in face of the fact that the South now supports government, which in the distribution of its favors has been swindling machine for the improve ment of the northern States. The true policy of the govcrnment-the policy for which the South has honestly. earnestly and candidly contended-the policy of unre- stricted commerce, and low and equal tariffs, has been ignored and trampled upon under the technical plausibilites ofpolitical tricksters and mountebanks. We are abundantly able to support government-- a prudent, economical republic, such as our forefathers contemplated, and such as the genius of our governmental polity requires.
 Another alarmist fears lest we may pull down the existing government and never be able to reconstruct another. This view of the matter argues an imperfect know ledge of certain general principles, one of the plainest of which is,sthat homogeneous institutions and geographical boundaries are the best guarantees of permanent gov ernment. Why could not the southern States easily coalesce? Look at the simi- larity of their institutions, climate and pro- auctions. The same laws that will apply to one will apply to all. The peculiar in stitution, the central idea of southern wealth, demands specific legislation and specific protection. The great staple of southern production is confined to the South, and the laws required to regulate it's exportation are few and simple. The same blue skies bend above us, the same soft atmosphere is around us, and in the compass ot the southern States we have all the ele- ments of wealth, all the luxuries of life. and all the comforts that can bless free, intelli- gent and virtuous people. Out of such m q al lo fabric more permanent than the one just shattered to pieces, and to build on the mournful ruins of empire, government more enduring and not less prosperous and powerful than the republic which has passed away?
 But civil war is inevitable if we secede, we are told. If principle is at stake can we pause fora moment to count the cost? If we stop to estimate the price of slavery we are already slaves. But if we really wish to avoid war, if itmust come, to be pre- pared for 1t, the secession of all the south 'ern States is the best security of peace. or assurance of successful war. Looking at the matter practically, and we can easily see that if the seeding States are not fully sus- tained by the southern States, that have not yet acted, the aboltionists will be encoura- ged and invited to attempt coercion, which, Ii nothing else will, unites us firmly and in dissolubly. If we are united now in the assertion of the right, tAe. intention and the necessity of secession, we can go from one government into another as calmly and fearlessly as vessel glides from one ocea to another The ship of State will float out gallantly on serene and placid waters, and the knowledge of it's strength, it's compact ness and potency will be its safe guard in peace and strike terror into it's enemies should war ever arise. To sustain and follow seeding States, therefore, is the best and only method of escaping the horrors of war or the contumely of abect submission Let Arkansas put her house in orler--there is no option left her-and sensible of her duties Tn the present emergency, let her send up brave and prudent men, pledged to co-ope- rate with the seeding States, to sustain them and to follow their course.