Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-01-26
To the People of Arkansas.


 position of Arkansas made known Yor are not less free than they not less capabIe Of shaping your own destinies. A refusal to give you the legal opportunity for that action, would be denial both of your right and your capacity for self-government. Agents of yours could not thus insult ysur intelligence and impair your liberties. 1t IS our hope, therefore, that the present General Assembly will speedily provide for convention, and that the delegates will soon convene, clothed with all your powers and ready to proclaim your sover- eign will. It was by ordinance of such A convention that Arkansas became member of the federal Union. In like manner, she ought now to decide the question of re. maining in the Union, or withdrawing from 1t. That is the issue which the perils of the times press uponyou. One of higher moment could not be presented. Consid- ering its magnitude, all citizens of the State-and especially such as hold office from you-are bound in interest, honor and patriotism, to meet it directly, and an nounce their opinions with candor and plain ness. 1t IS Tn recognition of that duty that we now address you.
 | The objects for which the Union was formed are set forth in the preamble to the constitution of the United States. They are there declared to be 'tto eSto5I;sh 3ustice insure domestic honquilHy, proyiae for He common detense, promote hhe qeneral qselfare and secure the Blessings of h5erty % ouy- selpes and OUT posterity.''
 For a time, these objects were mainly kept Tn view in the administration of the government. The result was a develop ment of greatness, and steady growth of prosperity, never surpassed in the worlds history. But, at length spirit of hostility to the southern institutions of nepro slavery manifested itself in New England. Like a leaven of poison, it spread through north ern sentiment, deepening in virulence, until the strength of the religious, social and political systems was corrupted by it's in tluence. Finally, on November 9th, 1860, by decisive ma critics in all the northern States but three, and by pluralities there, and without the vote of one single southern State, it elected its candidates to the presi dency and vice presidency, upon platform aestract'pe of o"r rights, branding our insti- tohons os intomoas, decreeing He equality of the negro ao'tA ourselyes anu our czildren. and dooming as, 70 Me end, ac;M murderous cey. ta'nty, 10 aH Me horrors of insurYection and serpile war.
 The incendiary agitations the unbrotherlv assailments, the brutal and bloody raids, the more than deviish hatred against the South. characterizing this anti-slavery crusade, completely nullifed the objects of Union. They have overthrown justice, destroyed our domestic tranquility, denied to us all defense of onr rights, dsregarded our wei fa%, and deprived us of the chief blessings l of liberty.
 These intolerable wrongs have relieved the southern States of any obligation to con- tinue united with the hostile States of the North, leaving them free to withdraw from the Un1on and confederate together, outside and independent of 1t. Nevertheless, they have made sacrifice of just resentment, and restrained well-grounded apprehen SIons, so far as to allow their Senators and | Representatives once more to meet in Con- gress with those of the North. It was right to expect that the fanatical portion of the latter,-who, with their constituents, had wronged the South, and violated the constitution, and brought the Union in jeopardy, would at once proffer full indem- nlty for the past and ample security for the future. That expectation met with no ful- llllment the merest thought of fulfilling it had no resting place in the mind of any black republican member of Congress.
 When this became evident-as it did within ten days after the two Houses con- vened,--self-respect and loyalty to their section would have justified all the Senators and Representatives from the South in vacating their seats and returning to their constituents. But still they were patient, forbearing and willing to be reconcled. In the form of resolutions raising special committees, and propositions amendatorv of the constitution, they urgently entreated the North to do justice. Except from that noble but powerless minority, the northern conservatives, the only answer was a con temptuous silence, or an insulting refusal. To those of you who have looked for an adjustment of the issues between the sec tons, two things will seem almost incred- ible: the humble moderation of the South and the fierce, triumphant arrogance of the North. The most "ultra' southern de- mands,-and none among you will deem the word "ultra" applicable have been, that the constitution of the United States should be amended so as to secure these objects;
 l. A recognition ofthe right of property in slaves, in the slaveholding States that now exist or may hereafter exist. and in the district of Columbia, and in all the territories during their territorial existence. with denial to Congress and the territo. rial legislatures of all power to prohibit slavery; and requirement. that the United States shall protect all rights of property property in slaves included-wherever the federal jurisdiction extends.
 ,. A provision for the admission of territories as States, with or without slavery, as their constitutions may prescribe when ever their population is sufficient to entitle them to one representative in Congress.
 5. A provision that shareholders, while passing through or temporarily sojouning in non-slaveholding States, shall not be de prived of their slave property.
 4. A provision that Congress shall never prohibit or interfere against the trade in slaves between the slaveholding States and territories.
 3. A provision that the fugitive slave law of 1850 shall be faithfully enforced: with denial of representation in Congress to States that nullify it, while their nullify. Ing statutes remain unrepealed; and the right to the owner of fugitive slave, when robbed ot his property, to recover the value against the county in which the injury may be committed.
 b. Provisions making these new guaran- tees together with the existing guarantees ofrepresentation upon the three tfths basis. l forever unalterable
 We believe there are not five hundred men in Arkansas who would tolerate inc l 4l T