Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-09-19
State Bonds.

As near as we can arrive at the number, Arkansas now has about twenythree thousand volunteers in the field. About twenty thousand of these are in Missouri and on our frontier ex- posing themselves to tie many hardshps and incOnveniemces incident to the camp, and cop- ardizing their lives before band of lnGrcGnary Hcssians In view of this fact, 1t IS the solemn duty of all men whose affairs will not permit of their going to the war, to do ece7V h'n9 within their power to sustain our brave friends, who have given up all the comforts and luXuries ot home, and who will be exposed to the cold blasts of winter in q latitude many degrees north of that to which they have been accustomed. number of these soldiers have left indigent pa rents, others wives and pratling little ones, de- pendent on them for daily sustenance. These soldiers, when paid their small monthly pittance of salary, send it home, erpecting 1t will buy something to relieve their wants. lie lays him self down after his wearisome days toll, think ing of home and his charges there, and consoles himself with the fact that he has sent them his wages, and that the amount, with the assistance of kind neighbors will enable them to live in comfort until he can again make them a remit tance. But what must be his feelings when he receives letter from the loved ones, and learns that tie bonds of the State, in which he has been paid, will not buy the necesSarles of llte-that the very men, whose property he is pering his life to defend, and who have a surplus, will not receive them in payment therefor. Does that soldier, who, perhaps has not hundred dollars worth of property i'll the world--and there are many such-feel like longer perilng his life, fors;.king his family and business, when such money as the State has to pay him, will not buy bread for his hungry wife and children from those who are enjoying the com l.I And when, at the end of his present term of service, he is called upon to re-enlist think you he will do 1t? No. He will say, q have already periled health and even lite to secure you in the enjoyment of your property, and you have refused to sell my family the common necessaries of life, when they offered you the bond ofthe State in payment. If you wish any further protec ton. you must afford it yourselves Is the soldier who holds these views to be ccnsured?
 The State, when she passed the ordinance of secession, found herself largely in debt caused by the folly and ineXpericnce of her early leg
 slators. To prevent her soil from invasion by a ruthless horde of foreign assasslns and the lives and property of her citizens from being destroyed, she found 1t necessary to raise and equip an army She had no money in her treasury with which to defray the necessary ex- pense; the emergency Of the case did not allow time to assess a direct tax, and she could not borrow, for her neighbors' circumstances were very nearly as strengthened as her own. She found herself compelled to resort to bonds of small denominations, as a circulating medium, relying upon the patriotism of the citizens to sustain her. She issued her bonds, bearing 8 per cent. interest, payable in five years; called for volunteers who llocked to her standard and by their prompt action have prevented the invader from polluting our soil. Is there citizen of the State so lost to every sense of gratitude, as to refuse to take these bonds in payment of any debt or for any thing Le may have for sale.- Forthe honor ofthe State, we hope not. These bonds have been paid to the soldier as money, and we must receive them of him as money. It is our duty, and the country expects every man to do his duty.'