Arkansas true Democrat., 1862-02-27
Temporising.


 The federal officers report that, in their advances in Tennessee and Alabama, they found white livered and black hearted. to- ries, to cheer at their approach. The ln- vader is in our State and there may be some so base and cowardly as to attempt to compromise and upon promise of pro- lection to their property, to take the oath of allegiance to the Balloon. If there are any such wretches in Arkansas, we desire to say few words for their benefit. II they would pursue such course 1t would be to save their worthless lives or their property. So far as the persons of such men are concerned they are not worth the powder and lead 1t would take to Kill them. AS to their property, the only way to pre- serve it is to fight. It is true that m some portions of the country, the federal commanders proclaim that private rights and property will be respected, but thls IS only done in Eastern Missouri, Kentucky, East Tennessee and Western Vrglnla. On the coast and the western frontier, where such lying declarations can avail them nothing, they avow their true policy and steal every pound of cotton, every ounce of provisions and every negro they can lay their hands on. While conquering the country and getting foothold they are as civil as their natures will admit, but when the country is overrun then their thieving propensity develops itself and they rob friend and foe alike.
 Thousands in Missouri tried this tempo rising policy and were ruined. They are now beggars, robbed by those to whom they truckIed and are made the slave of slaves. The protestations of the enemy are lies; their asseverations are deceit. They intend to take the land and negroes, and though they may dissemble for while to get foothold, it will not be many months before they will drive off all who now re- side here. Not only will the negroes be stolen, but set nominally free and made to work for their taskmasters, will be told they are the equals of the white poor men and women. If any man in the State supposes he can remain here under Yankee rule and preserve his property or his honor he is woefully mistaken. No temporising policy, no white flag conduct; no truckery or submission can save them or their property. It has been tried and the result Is always the same.
 When such a spirit is manifested 1t must be crushed or 1t will do us infinite damage. If there is one who loves property more than country, his neighbors should watch him and rather than let him carry his property to the enemy it should be seized or destroyed at once.
 We are gratifed to learn that our plan ters are preparing to burn their cotton. They are putting it in pens and under sheds in the fields ready for the applica- tion of the torch. If there is, in the length and breadth of Arkansas, solitary plan ter who would refuse to burn his cotton at the approach of the enemy, his neighbors should see that 1t is done for him, even if his dwelling is consumed with it. So of other property. If the owners of property begin to tremble and vacillate and talks of taking it to the federals, let it be seen to that he has no property to take. Teach these men that if they would preserve their property they must put their muskets on their shoulders and defend it on the battle field.
 The day of compromises is past. Neu- trality is now impossible. He who is not for us now, is against us. He who refuses to take bold stand now for the South is her foe and rope, lead and steel is what he justly deserves. An open foe is far prefera- ble to such wretches and if one should be found among us, we should cast him from us, as man would dash viper from his person.
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