Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-12-05
ns5g- Some three weeks since, we saw Q com


 assg~ Some three weeks since, we saw com munication in the Clarendon Standard, from John A. Harvick, in explanation of some ar rests and examinations that had been made III Monroe or St. Francis county. We gathered from it that there was a society called the " Pro Bono Publico," pretending to be peace society, and extending through Van Buren, Searcy, Randolph and other counties. They had pre- tended constitution, in which 1t was said there was nothing reasonable, but 1t was believed that the objects of the society were to co-ope- rate with aboIitunStS and Liucolnites. Ihls secret order was said to have been introduced into Arkansas by Yankee, who, some months since, died Ill eastern Arkansas, of a disease of the trachea, superinduced by the application oi hempen torniquet. ,ihere was great deal of mischievous humbuggery in itabont the rich and poor, and an attempt to array non-slave- holders against slaveholders It Is evident they had degrees in 1t, and it IS probable that they did not admit their proselytes into the real se- .crets until they had them too far committed to retreat. They swear to relieve each other, and if one betrays the secref, to kill hlm. Inns Is believed to be the primary oath, but that there are other oaths, in which the candidate Is re quired to swear hostility to Jefferson Davis and the Southern Confectionery. Some ot those ar rested have confessed that they were instructed, when Lincolu's army came, to hang yellow ribbon on the door facing Of their houses, as q token of their friendship for 'nba. ltappears that some sort oi preachers were going about the country among rhe simple bacNwoodsme" holding reli gious meetings aud initiating the credulous. They would represent that 1t was 6 good thing, would be a protection to them and save them harmless, no matter which side won. The first step taken, the foolish fellows Were led further on. At last they grew so bold that suspicious were aroused, and hundred or more have been arrested in Van Buren county and the counties adjoining.
 We see it stated that they have been furni5h~ ed with arms and am nunition from torres Iii Missouri. Various reports are in crculatloh; among others, that when the militia should De called out, they were to commence an indis' crminate massacre By many it Is supposed |" be league for rapine and pluudg. We harl- ly believe this, because some of the men who have taken the first degrees, at least, have been heretofore considered honest men and good cltl- zens.
 Our own opinion is, that it was got up by sjme Yankees, and was intended to be used as a political engine The members were gradu ally to De abJlitonz4d, and when opportunity offered. were to De transferred to the federal army. However, We have no idea that their numbers We're very acge, or that the greater number ot th-m were aware of the ultimate ob iects of their leaders. Twenty seven have been sent here for examination, and others have been arrested, and will probably be sent here We will see what evidence viii b. produced on the trial of these men. l. 1t shall De shown that this was reasonable association, il should be crushed at once. Mercy to the ringleaders would be cruelty to true men.
 We will endeayor to get the fIcts in this case and publish them, as several papers have refer red to it, and there are a great many horrible stories told. The truth, we apprehend, will show 1t was a ridiculous, though in some re spects a dangerous affair, but not so alarming as has been represented or worthy the notice 1t has obtained