Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-05-30


 cussinc there was difference between the mere power and tine policy, ,and 1t might not be the best policy for us. Into this ques- ton, however, he did not care to go.
 Mr. Tishbac1 concurred in the line of ar gument pnrsued by the gentleman from Clark Mir. Flanasin.) The speech of the gentleman from Jefferson (Mr. Grace) 1 would do well enough to elicit applause and excite feeling. Further than this, lie did not desire to express all opinion in regard to the gentleman's speech, except that 1t was better suited to some other place than this body. We are not called upon to legislate according to our feelings. He repeated that in any war the greatest element ot strength was the consciousness Of being in tho right ant keeping public faith. The policy of coniiscation is characteristic of q mob-is system of legalizel stealing and punder, and he would sec his arm wither at his side and fall from it's socket, rather than resort to it All the authorities and public sentiment of the world is opposed to it.
 Mr. Grace did not doubt the sincerity of Mr. tishback's disclaimer or of feeling in the matter. He had no doubt but that the gentleman thought all this war wrong, and that he not only did not feel himself, but that he deprecated all exhibitions of feel ing npon the part of others. He rose, however, to notice the legal argument of the gentleman from Clark Ar. Flsnagin.) That gentleman's argument is based upon the assumption that we are part of the Confederate States, and that the constitu- ton of that government places the power Of declaring war in the Congress. In point of fact, the gentleman s premise is not cor rect. Our union with that government is incomplete and imperfect. We are in q transitilion state. It is not controverted that conliscation is legitimate beligerant 1 right, and if the Confederate Congress can determine our statne to Wal 1e~~-, does not a declaration of war upon thelr part confer upon Us permission to avail ourselves of all the rights of war. The gentleman from Crawford Mir. Turner de- sired to prosecute this war according to the custom of civilized and christian people. When we are already in q state of war, he tells us to wait for acts ot con hscation upon their part. They have been confiscating our property for years, not only when at war with us, but even when confederated in the same government with us. Their statute books are full of enact ments declaring freedom to southern pro perty the moment it reaches northern soil. By this means we had lost millions of pro- pelty. He had been accused of speaking from impulse. He confessed that he dld feel deeply in this matter, and if there IS a man in the State of Arkansas who did not, he was unftted and mSuited to the crisis.
 Nr. Pattison of Jackson, regarded this a matter of great importance. It is con ccdcd by every one except Mr. flshback, who has yet spoken that coniiscation is q beligerant right Even the gentleman from Crawford, { Ar.Turncr, ] admits that much ltis clearly enunciated in all the elementary books that in time of war each individual takes upon himself the position and char acter of his sovereign, and when his sover- dign assumes a war stotuS towards any go vernment, he is placed in that attitude also From this principle is deduceA the.doctrinC of the confiscation of the private property of alien enemies. The exercises of tho right is mere question of policy that at dresses itself to the legislative will of the brlligerant. In determining whether thC circumstances of this war are such as t justify us in resorting te this unquestionc, national right. it becomes uS to examine the character of the war which threatens us The war now made upon us ls one of m l. l Ito or,,- ,N. lation Of treaties nor is it for the adjust mcnt of any fancicl difference as to balance of power It involves our homes and ou liresides. It threatens the overthrow 0 our society and our civilization. lt no only involves the loss of millions of pro perty, but if successful will result in tho degredation of the white man to the level o the imbeci!c African. If ever there was | waar the fraEmstance$ and lj sgr9nnHqEs II93 sef-deiencc allowed by the law of nations 1t is the one in which we are involved. Th' commercial interests of the north Is in the van of this crusade against us. Having been enriched by our productions, they now appropriate them to the spoliation of ou homes and the overthrow of our society Ii is right that we should cripple their ma terial interests and dry up the source iron whence they draw the sinews of war. Bu while he entertained these views, and wa, convinced of the propriety and even neces sity of confiscation, yet, he was struck witt the argument of the gentleman from Clark MT. Flanagan. He doubted the power of Arkansas to do this, and it would pro babIy be best to refer it to the Confederate States.
 Convention then adjourned till 8 o'clock tomorrow morning.