The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-11-28
The Union Men of Arkaasas---
Loyalty Of n True type.

We make the following extract from
a letter to the Cincinnati Gazette, dated
Des Arc, Ark, Nov. II. Unionism in
Arkansas means something more than
getting protection sgsinst the rebels. 1t
is an active principle, which looks to the
public good, present and prospective:
In fact, throughout the entire State,
there is a sound loyal sentiment. Best
of all, it is loyalty that is not hedged
in by conditions. We find in Tennessee
many men who claim TO be loyal, and
who probably believe that they are so.
II usually occurs that their loyalty has
many conditions attached to it, that
really make it of no value. 1t is not 50
with the loyalty of the Arkansas people.
They are thoroughly and unconditional
ly true to the Union, and ready and anx-
ious to return to IL They are like cer-
tain men at the North, though in a far
different way. They say they want
peace on any terms, or rather on the
terms that Slavery 'sballfbe done away
with. Il is . little surprising 70 find
such q sentiment prevailing in Arkansas
q State that we have been accustomed to
consider one Of the most benighted Of all
parts of the South. The conversion of
q people like the ArkAnsisns, is very
difficult, but when once effected, il is
certain to endure. The natives of this
State have been through course of train
ing sufficient to open the eyes of the most
ignorant.
When the war broke out there was a
strong party in favor Of staying in the
Union, but they were out of sight in the
vortex Of secession. When the war be-
gan 10 be oppressive many men fed 10
the mountains for security from the con-
scription, or came to our lines and Joined
eur service. The feeling that impelled
them to this was at first more . natural
feeling than decided love for the Union.
The people of Arkansas wished to stay
where they were. They were well
enough satisfied with the state Of affairs
and did not desire 3 change. They,
therefore, opposed secession, because it
was an innovation. Men were progress
sive, and this natural sentiment soon de-
veloped into a wholesome loyalty. II
commenced with . distrust OF the men
who brought on the war, and ripened into
an aversion for the slayeholdsrs whose
war they we're compelled to fight. From
this, comes dislike to slavery, and final
liz feeling of "Abolitionism."
This desire to be rid of slavery is al
most universal with the non-slaveholding
class, and is also shared by many of the
owners of slaves. They zee that it has
been the cause of ali their troubles and
NAV continue to be so in the future and
they desire to do away with it. The
political leaders, some Of them sincere
men, while others sre only seeking to go
with the current, are falling in with this
sentiment and are using it as the key
note of all their operations. a return
to the Union without Slavery" is their
motto. Union meetings In Little Rock
get up sn senthusissns on TIE question,
and the measure is everywhere received
with favor.
The utter detestatiOn which Arkansas
holds for the Confedercy, is due in .
great measure to the course of the cOI1-
manding officers that were sent here ia
the outset. Hindman was one of lhe
first. and be disguised both, friends and
enemies BY his course. he ruled with
$ rod of iron, and made every man to
feel his power where it was within his
reach 70 do 50. Holmes followed Hind
man, but the change was not for the
better. Holmes fell into bad hands and
became as much an OppressOr as Hind
man had been. he remained in command
uutiI driven out by Gen Steele, at the
time the city MAS captured. Holmes and
Hindman managed 10 get up = quarrel
with Albert Pike among others, and
treated him with the utmost indignity.
Hinder some fictitious and trivial charge,
thew cent TO the Indian nation where be
was then in command, aud ordered him
under arrest Ha was taken two bnn-
dred and fifty mics under guard, and
then released without even having charges
ureferred against him. Pike left the
Confederate service, and with his de-
parture the power Of The rebels over the
Indians disappeared almost completely
No other man possessed equal ability 10
control them.
When the State seeded, the conven-
ton that carried Il out, also msde new
Constitution, throwing the old one over
board. This new one was specially de-
signed for the Confederate rule, and was
totally al vsyiaDce with that Of the Uni
ted States. Before .AIkRnsas esn. return
70 ths fold lrOm which she hIs y Wandsksd,
il viii be Necessary foE another Cpnsti-
tuition TO be formed, that shall be in har-
mony With that On which the general
Goyernment is based. An election will
be held a. soon % il is safe 10 do with
out fear Of interruption By guerrillas or
ovsrawing Of any kind. This will not
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