True Democrat., 1863-02-11
To the People of Arkansas.

IN Nearly two years ago, a7SemOled DY your ucle- gates in convention, you deliberately and solemnly resolved to be free people. The causes which led to our separation from the so called United States are well known to you. They commenced more than thirty years ago, and with each succeed ing year the gulf was widened. Notwithstanding the oft repeated violations of federal compact, both in letter and in spirit, the part of the Northern States, the people of the South continu ed true to all their constitutional obligations and it required the election of an abolition President by sectional two-ffth's vote, and the avowed threats of his fanatical party, to exclude the South from the public domain, to create new states enough to change the Constitution according to tue mode it provided, to reform the supreme court, to consolidate the Government, by making the will of a majority superior to the Constitution, and to oprress and plunder the minority by unjust laws and unequal taxation,-.o arouse the people O. the South to a sense of the danger and degradation that awaited them.
 The manner in which our enemies have con'luc- ted this wick ked and inhuman war, and the spirit, in which it was begun and has been carried on, proves that our separation from them was inevta- ble and that a re union with them on any terms is impossible. The history of civilized warfare afords no parallel to the atrocities committed by our enc mies or the yet atrocious spirit by which they are actuated. They have trampled under foot the liberties of their own citizens and violated every fundamental principle of their constitutional form of Government. They have, in their intense ha- tired and malice, devoted the people of the Con federate States to chains and slavery. With them, subjuga,ion of the South means rapine, plunder and universal confscation. It means extermina- and taxation in every conceivable mode, that Yan- kee cunning could devise. l. means amalsation and negro equality. It means depth of infamy and degradation, greater than any, to which a proud and spirited people were ever required to submit. Let no man hug to himself the delusion, that he or his children may escape from these un- mitgated horrors. Such men, if any there be, are something more than tories in this holy war for freedom,--they are fools. Our enemies will never discriminate. The burdens they seek to impose, will fall upon all alike. For veal or for woe-our destines are the same, and we must be united people.
 
 We are in the midst of the greatest war the world has ever seen. On many bloody battle field, Arkansas soldiers have sealed their devotion to the cause of liberty Our enemies are discom- ited and wavering Their counsels are divided. Discomfort and distrust pervades their populace, and their vast armies are melting away by deser- ton Their failure and ri ghteous punishment will be certain, if we are only true to ourselves, our holy cause and our country. You may be called upon to endure yet more dangers and privations. The cause is worthy of them all.
 The soldiers, who have left the Army of Ar kansas, to visit their homes, will at once return, and rally to the defence of their country against the invaders. We owe it to Missouri to redeem her people from federal oppression. The blood of her and your own murdered citizens cries aloud to us. Let us avenge them! Every man should feel, that his country is sacred, and be resolved to aid in its defence.
 TH. H. HOLMES,
 Lieut.. GenI Com'dq.
 De-