Arkansas true Democrat., 1862-03-27
THE MILITARY BOARD.

Some opposition was manifested lOWafu8 thlS 1 body in the General Assembly but we are satS- l fled that some of the gentlemen engaged in 1t, were unaware of the facts. We believe the | Board has erred in some things but it has done 1 immense good, and we may confidently assert | that it has saved thousands to the State by chck- ing of yoracious feeders at the military crib and acting as a cheek upon the grasping usurpatons | of others. l. is the opinion of many that, had it not been for that body, We would ere this, have ! had civil war among us-a revolution within a revolution. The advisory members of the l board have had terrible pressure upon them, in> 1 side a4d outside, to which they may have yield ed at times for the sake of harmony. We can appreciate this for we ourselves have dreaded to see domestic strife and dissensions at home. We have been silent when outrages were conn mitted, laws violated, public money squandered and the country imperiIled, to carry out the i grandlloquent or mercenary views of one man. The wrongs and outrages upon the people have become intolerable The will of the legislature has been set aside their acts suppressed and
 
 foot This barrier between power and the peo~ pie removed, there is yet another in the advi, sors of the Military Board, which power we now, in the name of the people, invoke to come to their aid.
 The grand and darling project of the State army is yet cherished by those in power and to carry it into effect the treasury is to be deplet~ ed, the people called from their fields and work shops and the country ruined. Tlis the Militia, ry Board can prevent aud we now call upon them to do 1t. They are not a mere auditing board, to examine accounts but are charged to consult together concerning all matters pertain ing 10 the military defence Of the State.
 In the ordinance creating the Board 1t is ex- pressy said that Fall militia ollicers whether in service or not, are hereby made subordinate to this Board
 Again; in another ordinance, fixing theirrank, it is said they "shal out.rank and be in author ify above, any and all the military officers hold ing commissions under authority of the State of Arkansas
 They have the power, and they alone, to call out the militia or dsband them. They can and they should, dismiss this swarm of militia lo~ cu8ts who are eating up the substance of the people. Ifthese fellows want the titles let them have them, but dismiss them. If they refuse to obey orders, cashier them at once.
 The patriotism of the advisers of the Board is unquestoned; their honesty undisputed tire mains to be seen if they have the nerve to save the country. If they will at once, order that no money shall be paid 10 any militia officer for any pretended services and notify the paymas- ter that such claims must not be paid by them; if they will direct the auditor to pay no claims unless signed by majority of the Board; if they will encourage volunteering and provide for fair system of drafting; the people will sustain them and all patriots honor them. But, if they permit another to usurp the power conGded to them; if they suffer the authority vested exclu- sively in them, to be used by others, they will receive the generations of the people and be> come odious in the eyes of all. The military al fairs of the State are in their hands. They can and should control all the expenditures for mil itary purposes. No step can be legally taken without their sanction and authority. The ad- visers, being in the majority, have the power, and must assume the responsibility, as they will have to bear the blame.
 In the name of the State, which now, with the invader on her soil, is about to be plunged into strife, by the madness or wicked design of one man,we call upon the Military Board to throw themselves in the breach made in the liber!ie