Washington telegraph., 1862-12-03
lEor the Telepranh

Mr.. Editor:-I am not q man that has com
plants Of my rulers, but have always submit
ted to legal authority, ana am as willing to Dc
SO as ever But do complain Of the military
despotism that Is forced upon this country
For sometime past it has been the case in this
county, that some military gentleman, whC
wishes to naked display of his power, is out
with a new bull to publish in relation to tn,
manufactare of Salt: The last usurpstion i:
the taking of one-half of the salt made by al
the furnaces private and public in the county
for the use of the army; which is, think,
an outrage that no free people should submit
to, as it is unjust and unreasonable. There
are at the different works in this county, old
gray headed men, who have been forcei by
necessity, to get together such of the wash
pots and wash kettles OF their neighborhood
as they could control, and come to the salt
wells of this county, aud erect temporary fur
naces. to make salt for themselves aud the
families of volunteers (their relatives and
neighbors,) who are dependent on them dur
ing the absence of their husbands. Then to
have their salt taken by the officers of the
government at regulated price OF 81 oO per
bushel. when it has cost them tive dollars TO
make il. aud when they would not sell at ten
dolIars-I say it is an outrage, as well as a
valuable violation of law, and of the views of
the Vice President of the Confederacy, aud is
calculated 10 create dissatisfaction among the
brave men who are now in the army fighting
the battles of cur country; to think that the
meager supply of salt thus obtained for their
families. should be taken from them by the
government they are fghtingto support.
II il well known that the works of this coua-
~ cannot make more than one bushel to the
family who are dependent on them. Then if
these Government officers who are iofding over
tilia county at so large scale, without author
ity. are allowed to take one-half of what is
mn,ie. TO house up at the depots, how are the
soldiers wives TO be supplied? The answer is
thew cannot be. Had they made an order (if
they must violate the law that one haloof the
salt made should be distributed among the SOL
dier's wives, say one bushel to each, they
would have been acting charitably, to say the
most of it. Every order made has had the ef-
feet tn retard the manufacture of salt. Many
are deferred from it for fear of having their
salt taken from them. others ave torn up
their small furnaces at night aud left, taking
with them what little salt they had, for fear it
would be taken from them the next day. Ii
the military powers in this State, instead of
blowing about what they are going to do, and
grasping the little that the energy and enter
prise of the people have done, would put their
cubs to work and furnish the people with the
mettle, the wood, &C., water is here to make
any amount of salt, and the people would
make it. But instead of this they have made
unlimited promises to indi vidualsif they would
engage in the business. Those persons lone
in particularly have gone on and made extern
sive preparations at o heavy outlay of money
and l.bor, and has done all he could do with
out metal, and has not received one pound of
metal or one cents worth of aid from the gov
eminent where he had g written contract. SO
much for the fine promises of the military
perfect humbug.
No man shall do more than will to aid the
army, according to my means, but always re-
serving my lights freeman, | believe the
only difference in despots is in the power they
control. hope the day may never come in
arkansas when the civil authorities must yiel
to military power | desire to see the military
rulers of the government take the laws OF Con-
gress and the articles of war, and govern
themselves accordingly, and that they will al
ways find me ready to do my duty. l shoulder
ed my arms to aid in Kidding my country Of
the despotism of Abe Lincoln, and want no
other to rule me.
Some men seem to think that our salvation
as natea 9sfS2d s r 81 q Gu ,aaet sp6m to
all orders of the military men of the country.
think differently 1t depends upon holding
all officers both civil and military 20 strict
accountability. No government can stand
without it. And all large armies are danger
Gus without the same check upon them
have no i'll will towards any Office; in the
army in Arkansas, or anywhere Gle; but
have penned the abeve remarks az a freeman,
= - T si@s't t. entsSs ais rfs. =, sSs;ns
| what he believes to be public wrong, VI
! 1,a raspact TO all concerned.