Arkansas true Democrat., 1862-01-16
The Peace Society.

We have received several letters, and persons have called upon us to make statements, in re- lation to the alleged conspiracy, or peace socie- ty, formed in the northern part of the State. We confess that we are at loss to know what Is tue true state of the case, but we fear great many innocent men and a number of ignorant ones, have been. ..shamefully treated. Sometime last summer, Mr. Harvck. of Monroe county, caused the arrest and examination ot some members of a selfstyled '.pro bono Pnbt,co,' or peace society, but the evidence proved nothing reasonable and the parties were dismissed. Sometime afterwards arrests were made and persons sent here, from Van Buren, lizard and other counties. The most of them protested their innocence of any reasonable intent, thelr loyalty to the Confederacy and when offered release on condition of service in the army, promptly volunte teered. The oath of the socie- ty, so far as disclosed, has no direct treason In 1t, but is suspicious as affxing the death penal ty to an informer.
 On the one hand it was charged that this society was instituted for the purpose of gi'ing aid and comfort to the enemy that upon the approach of l.incoln's troops the houses of the members were, to be distinguished by mark on the doorla cling and were to be unmolested :: that arms G.om the iederas ill Missouri had been placed in their hands with which to fight against the South; that besides the oath already 1 known, there was another and reasonable one, in which the members swore hostility to the Southern Confederacy and that the leaders were aboiitionists It was admitted that the ma lority of these men were ignorant and had no knowl edge of the ultimate objects of the society or de- signs of their leaders.
 On the other hand, we have been solemnly assured that if such society existed there was nothing reasonable in it, that there was but one oath; that innocent men were in,likSd to join by being told it promised then protection and that no collusion with aboltionists or Lin. coln's army Was thought of. "ls; is bitterly denied that any arms or ammunition were re- ceived from Missouri, or. that any were found. It is asserted that persons without authority l commenced making arrests without warrants and upon suspicion, or when an enemy pointed 1 out some person a a member; that there was no security Of person; 4ha1 cid men, some of them having three sons in tbe Confederate army and who had furnished food and clothing to our troops were seized, ironed and sent to this city, aud tbat others, who had responded to Col. Borands call for troops, upon their return from Pocahontas were seized and imprisoned.
 In tue case of Mr. Edmondson, those who | killed him say it was done in selfdetence and while be was resisting arrest. His friends say that Ednonds0n was a true southron; that in the reign Of terror he advised certain persons whom be luew 70 have enemies 10 escape until the storm blew over, and for tbis'he was accused Of beog member Of tbe society; that they soc 1t ro arrest him and because le refused to submi sh5, hih.
 We d. not know which of these stories is true, but halt that is .a'l US is reality, there is a dread.ul s.ate of affairs there. The power of making arrests win }ut warrant is dangerous enc to pu5 in lie hands cf any man or set of men aud in this case 1t appears C have been excrc >ed " anybody oa everybody. Arrests gre being male vet, or wee made until very lately aad the S.ate has hal Q pav laree sums r,r alges.iag guarding and bio2iag ,hese men ' here. While all ,a9 was going on. regular or deg5 of regular Confederate officers ale pros n01uoed :a.asJ a- conflicting wi,h the civil ! au.hol. / and ranaiag coun.er 10 the law. It as oeen ,a,inlated hat no more prisoners will | De ir, .e II. hcle a, | intended make short ! wo l,o ,hese ac,peg,ei men hereafter. Sc, if apyoolv has an eucmy in north Arkansas, lie | has oa'v io JeAoance m as a menber of the peace sotje,y jo insu e lis death.
 The Goyernorof this S,aie has sworn to see tie laws laith.ul Y executed and if treason exists in tha, qeaue. be sbonld lsee that the accused and arrese' mea have the advantage of a trial aud defence. The law, in th's instance, has been lcsC $ .u +. Of or tramnlel under foot.
 + be Governor viii oot acs in the premises, tbe Military Baagd can appoint commission to proceed to these cya4ties enquire into these matters cause he sal arrest oi parties against whom evidence is iouad and restore quiet and order among rhe people
 We do not intend to impugn the motives of any person or persons engaged in making these aress. They may have been ac.uated by pat
 ioic motives. bu, there is q limit b all things, and t j. hi2 time their power Of arresting citi- zens and killing those who demur, should be superseded by the strong arm Of the law.