The Van Buren press., 1861-10-09

TO tho Voters Of the First Con-
gressional District,
CLs,possd = tke Cssnsies Of Bensss. Wsshisgton.
Msdi,sn. CsrrsQ. Nessen. Cra.tord. Frnnksn
Jssassa. .Psps, Msvioa. Sesrey, Fsa Bsren and
Csapsy.
FELLow CsrIzeNs - / am . candidate
to represent you in the Congress Of the
Confederate States. the election to be held
on Wednesday. the 9th day Of November
next.
Those whom We have heretofore been
taught to regard and treat as brothers, who
have fattened and grown rich upon our la
Dor, are now waging against us an uneon
stitu,ionsl and an unholy war, not war
of that character that is recognized or con-
dac,el by civilized nations. but one that is
characterised by the barbarities and atroci-
ties of savage race-and this because We
have dared assert our rights as fresmen.
That the Confederate States will be able
to defend herself against the unholy and
unnatural war. to conquer an honorable
peace and to attain power which will
cause her to be respected as one Of the great
nations OF the earth, l do not entertain q
doubt.
The manner and means of doing this will
be the leading and principal question before
the next Congress. ! presume that we are
all in favor OF q speedy termination Of the
war but it becomes us to recoilect that up
on successful termination on our part de-
pends every thing that is dear to Us, and
that the war can only end when we can ac
cept an fk0norsble peace, and be permitted
TO quietly enjoy our rights rs freemen.
The history of the war SHOWS, that the
vaIor and galIantry of Southern men is
unquaiied, and the brilliant victories
achieved by them upon every field where
they have met the invader, warrants the be-
lief, that vigorous prosecution of the war
on our part will conquer a peace at no very
distant day. With this belief, i should be
in favor OF Congress voting liberal apprv-
pristions of men and money to prosecute
the war to a speedy and successful termina.
tion. And to our gallant sons who are SO
nobly responding to their country's call,
and to tho s>tamilies of those who are so un-
fortunate as to sacrifice their lives upon their
country's altar. the Congress should show
liberality worthy Of q great and enlight.
ened people.
By accepting the old Constitution (slight-
ly amended as the fundamental law of our
government. we have shown to the world
that it was not because we opposed the form
of government, but because it was not ad-
minis,ored according to the provisions of
the Constitution, that we Withdraw from
the Federal Union. The history of the old
government. shows that those having con-
troll Of its administration became sectional,
lost sight of the Constitution, enacted a
system of laws to build up and enrich one
section of the country at the expense of
another. suffered fraud and corruption to
creep into all the departments Of the gov
ernment. and by this caused its destruction
Let this be warning to us, let us adhere
10 there Constitution, pass laws that will
oeai equally on all, administer the govern
nent economically. hold all those enga ged
IN II, administration to a strict accouuta
n!iI!y. and we Will no, only have one of the
Teiy best anu CREATES, governments on
ea:th, bat wiIi prove 10 the worli ;nat she
people are pablo OF .eii governments,
J approve most heartily al the a attniu,
,rat'on oi our Provisional pies,i.n., Je.frr-
SOP DAVIS. .iie is. emphati>aliy. " the
right man, in ,i,e right place" lie will be
SACNeS" SsSAtseut Tue permanent NDu-
stItu;iouSAai TO his administration, | cx-
pect 10 give hearty support.
BY agreement with Gen'l The mason, we
will not canvass the District and make pub
lie addresses to yop. | am known To the
most of you. l have upon different occa-
sions. been honored by the people OF u por-
tion OF this district, with their confidence,
in return for which. ! have cndeayorei to
repay them by faithful discharge ol The
duties of the positions to which they have
assigned me-how far l have succeeded in
| this, leave them TO Judge. Should 1
| again be honored with your confidence eve
ry energy possess, shall pe exerted for the
welfare and prosperity Of the Confederate
States, of the State OF Arkansas, and YOUR
selves. Should you prefer another, / will
cheeriully submit, and will still be found
where both education. feeling and Judgment
all lead me-a true friend TO the South, de-
voted 20 her cause, and at all times ready
to make any sacrifice. or render service in
any capacity that may be required to aid in
sustaining her independence.
Very Respectfully.
Your obedient servant,
FELIX l. BATSON.
Glarksville, Oct 4th, 1861.