The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1863-12-03


field. .------
Further from CAN'T OF Arkan =
sas.
Brigadier-Ge John N. Thayer writes
to the St Louis Democrat from Little Rock
Arkansas, communicating extracts from a
speech by Gen. E. W. CAN'T delivered in
that city Nov. 7, from which We select as
follows: -re
DOOM OF sLAvERY-sTATE SUICIDE.
As secessionists, we supposed we were
out of the Union. We wsntout to protect
Slavery. We failed. We now come back.
For what purpose? To protect Slavery
The absurdity is monstrous to tolerate for
a momsnt We went out to protect the
negro. We come back to protect the white
man. We regard the negro question as
definitely settled by the last source of ap
peal, aad we say there let is rest
But we of Arkansas must dispose of what
is left OF this question for ourselves. We
can't dodge it. In our settling it, ws are
not agitating heSlavery question. Can you
agitate the dead? Is not Slavery dead in
our state! Did it not go down in the vortex
of secession and civil war? But though
dead, its remains must be disposed of. Its
dead carcass is all that lies between US and
a perfect restoration of our former relations
with the Government. A convention
of the people should meet and bury
il.
The question of abolition and its converse
can't be made in our midst. We are not
like Missouri. With US the question is,
What shall We do with that which isalrsady
abolishedf 10 this there can be no answer.
Amend the Constitution, and put it beyond
the hope of resurrection. We of the North
and South, knowing that slavery was the
only disturbing element in our government,
after many Settlements" each one deemed
"fnat," resorted to the last arbitrament-
the sword We who own slaves have lost,
fairly lost, and we must abide the decision.
The people of Arkansas are therefore the
proper ones to act on its final extinction in
our midst. The sooner we do it, the better
for us and the country. To many this truth
is unpalatable, but we can't blink it; it must
be met; let US do so like men.
There is large and growing party in the
North that is disposed to roduce the seced
cd States to the condition of Territories
The chief idea Of this party is to get rid OF
slavery as the source of all our calamites.
1t would be waste of time for us to get up
and argue the abstract question with them
as to their right to do this. Let us antici-
pate them, and cut under them at once, by
meeting in convention, at the earliest day
that We can be empowered to do so, and ex.
tipate for over the last vestige of slavery
in our midst, and bury out of sight this
source of all our calamties. personal, State
and National BY thus formally giving up
what is already lost we will have secured
to US, all our rights as equal States in the
Union. IF we do not do so, | give it as my
opinion, that right or wrong, we will be re-
duced to the condition of Territory and
so remain until We do pass upon this ques-
ton, definitely, at once and for ever. You
can't find soldier in the army who has not
already reached, or is closely approximat
ing the conclusion, that his health, nappi-
ness and life have been jeopardized because
of negro slavery, and who does not feel that
after all his toll and hardships, this ques-
ton, which diplomacy and craftsmanship
could not settle, being settled by the sword,
should be put at rest forever.
ARKANSAS Is LOYAL.
The people of Arkansas are ready to re-
turn to their allegiance to the Government.
and to renew their devotion, which shall
know hereafter neither change nor decay
Tue loyalty to JEFF. Davis in Arkansas does
not extend practically beyond the shadow
Of his army, while the hatred Of him is as
widespread as it is intense. The Union
sentiment is manifesting itself on all sides
and by every indication-in Union meet
ings, in desertious from the Confederate
army, in taking the oath Of allegiance un-
solicited, in organizing for home defense
and in enlisting in the Federal army. Old
flags that have been hid in the crevices Of
rocks, and been worshipped by our noun
tain people as holy relics, are flung to the
breeze, and followed to the Union army
with an enthusiasm that beggars descrip.
ton.
NOBLE TRIBUTE TO UNION MEN.
But there has always been a healthy
Union sentiment in our State 1t has -four
ishsd when the sun of our great political
system was ebscured from it by clouds and
gloom. In the darkness of political storm
and nioht its lamD has burned IN briph ly