Arkansas true Democrat., 1862-02-20
HE CRIsIS


 The telegraphic news within the past week, has been of dreadful character. The acsD count of our reverses and being overpowered by the vandal hordes, was more keenly felt by immediately following the report of our sue cessful resistance, at first, of the attack on tt Donelson. The enemy are threatening Nashville, and with it our provisions, stores and manufac- tories in Tennessee. The news from the coast is nearly as bad, and the tidings from Missouri are of fearful import.
 We have no heart to comment upon the ex- tent of our disasters, or to speculate upon the probable fall of Columbus, and the descent of the Mississippi. But there are some things we feel it to be our duty to say to our readers. In the first revolution, the British held New York, Boston, Philadelphia, indeed all the principal cities, and yet did not conquer. In the war of 1872, they marched to Washington and swept our sea and lake coasts. We are not yet con- quered; we never can be subjugated. 1t IS probable that we may not be able to get very large army together again very soon, but there will be small ones on every range ot mountains and armed bands in every valley. Had we done our whole duty; had we spent even moiety Of that property which is now ruined; had we went to work in earnest six months ago, these things would not have happened.
 Memphis may fall, but had that city, which sent out spectators over Arkansas, Texas, Alabama and Mississippi, to buy up necessaries, but taken the money to build gunboats and other means of defence; had the people of the Tennessee and Cumberland river vallies, with their forests of timber and iron works, built gunboats, these disasters might have been avert ed. It is not too late to do something yet. All that can be done must be done, let 1t involve whatever sacrifice it may.
 We must strengthen the hands of Van Dorn, Price and Pike. We must defend our northern border Every available gun, every weapon of any kind, must be put in order, and men must be sent promptly to the Arkansas line The footstep of the invader has polluted the soil ot Arkansas-let us swear that he shall be driven hence.
 We have met reverses, so did our forefathers. We have been forced to succumb to the fury of the blast, but the oak of century when 8 sapling, has been bent almost prone, yet when the storm passed, grew erect and lived ts dety all storms.
 The character of the war may be changed hereafter Instead of large armies we may have small ones. In place of Maj jor Generals, we may have partisan leaders. Every State will have her Marions and Sumpters. A long war may be forced upon us and cruel one, but we are not conquered. Ultimately we shall tri umph, but it may be after much suffering, toll and privation.
 They cannot hold us Small as Arkansas is 50, 900 men could not hold her down. If they keep at one place, the rest of the State will be free; if they should separate, they would be cut to pieces in detail We can make one more stand on the Missouri line. A repetition of the battle of Oak Hills may save Arkansas, ami mate the friends of liberty all over the South and perhaps turn the tide in our favor. Tc arms then, to arms. Show the world what stuff Arkansians are made of. In the hour of gloom and of peril let us be firm and cool. To falteI now is treason--to surrender IS ruin. Let Us rise like men to meet the occasion, and show our tyrants that we are unconquerable.