Washington telegraph., 1862-12-03
Inaugural Address.
Gentlemen Of the Senate
and House of R>pr<s.nf1fip,s.

Gentlemen Of the Senate
and House Of Representatives.:
Permit me to acknsriedge to the people Of
Arkansas. my obligations for the honor con-
ferred BY an election to the Chief Magistracy
~ the State-a position at all times honorable
and distinguished, but rendered still more SO,
by the importance Of the trust. in the midst
CT the fearful struggle in which We are now
engaged.
Most sincerely do doubt my abilities to
perform the duties in such a manner as viii
meet my own full approval in sitter times i
san suly promise faithful performance Of the
dnsiss Of my Office with such ability IS pos
sees.
Affo- this ftate severed her connection with
the ft.sral union, / determined that my undi-
vidsd exertisns should be devoted in order 70
secure our national Independence; and that no
private iaiefest or advantage should interfere
9Th my purpose in this respect. As the tx
ecafivs Of this State, while | will use every
eIsrtfon to protect the State and her citizens,
| am fully persuaded that shall best do so by
promoting the great cause Of Southern inde-
penaencs-
Many OF rs, At the election Of President
Lincoln, were Of the opinion that the South
| could not expect her constitutional rights un-
/ der an administration which had been elevated
! solely for the reasoss that il was composed OF
! the nvowed enemies Of our institutions. OBJ
servation. since that time, has proven our fcsrs
we'll founded. There are few rights, secured
| by she constitution Of the United States, which
| have not been violated. That instrument SO.
cures the right Of free speech. Thousand, are
ard have been imprisoned because they OPP
poeed = cruel, unjust AMI relentless war upon
tt~ PEOPLE Of the Southern States
The constitution of the United States secures
| the liberty Of - e prese Hundred. have been
imprisoned. and their papers suspended, fol-
the reason that they were opposed to An u l.
| rninisrratios elected by a minority Of the PEG
pie.
That constitution secures the right Of prop
exty. Hundred. of men have been hned D,
military officers. in sums Of one hundred 10 49,
thou aud dollars for no act done On word spo
ken. bat becauss they were suspected Of sy,n
psthizing With an oppressed people
. That cor titutioa secures the person i 10
! srty Of the citizen. Many thousands are nov
inrrisonei without authority Of Law. bee
| Grv are suspected. or groundlessiy charge
with want OF synpathy with our oPpressors.
A republican government Is secured by tina
kirstrumen,. Where the federas are IN power
! man Who is rot supposed to favor tue nauoos
d;ia..ir istrstion is not permitted to D. candi
d.ie for Office; and if he persists. ne Is sent
prison. gnd the result l., that, Ia mfny place.
Of one thirI Of the rctes are cast
I kp uhusSssrv to Erdtiflr ihstsiiissfs,s
Is enough that the chief mag strats OF tina
people has avuwed the vioistiun of constltu
tina no as sR0rn to support, under inc PIE
| If nscra ivy
Notwithstanding this open disregard
| n rhts which all nave heretofore regarded
sacred, there SCENE a. be no Teinedy-no"e
,vsp proposed; ana-it NAY 20 fairy STATED
| tAst ne eater, citizen OF Ihst conntTJ NJ
s rs.sy mo risski~ fEr~r. hriA- -i.sfasr' y