Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-12-10
THE UNION SPIRIT IN ARKANSAS.

THE UNION SPIRIT IN ARKANSAS.
There is cumulative evidence of the existence in Ar
kansas of strong feeling of attachment for the old Union
Ga this point the letters Of newspaper all
agree The Memphis Bulletin speaks Of it as follows
The aacry and earnestness with which the people of
Arkansas are moving for the restoration of their State TO
its suspended powers ess surprising than gratifying
That the feeling real have no room left for doubt
We have conversed with persons from that State of va
Gus conditions e from the woudcbopper to the planter
the soldier and the civilian, Unionist and Secessonss
natives of the State and yisters to from North and
South and we find all agree that the people of Arkansas
are for the Union" a"
correspondent Of the Cincinnati Gazette writing from
D-s Arc, Arkansas, throughout the entire State
there is a sound loyal sentiment" He further says:
When the war broke out there was strong party in
favor OF staying 10 the Union but they were out of sight
in the vortex of When the war began to be-
oppressive many I'D to the mountains for security
from the conscrpon came to lines and joined our
service The feeling that impeled them to this was at
frat 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
stale OF affairs aud did not desire to change They there
Fore opposed SECESSION because it an inn walton
Men were progressive and this neutral sentiment soon de-
veoped into Wholesale loyalty When the State seeded
the Convention that carried it out also made new Con-
sutiun throwing the old one overheard This new ona
was specially designed for the Confederate rule and was
at variance with that of the United Stairs Before Ar
return fold which she
will be necessary for another Constitution be formed
thst shall be in harmony with that which the General
Government based An election will be held IA soon Al
safe to do without fear OF interruption by quer
rlas or oyerawng of any kind This will rot be for some
time yet Az the interior is not settled down into cond
ton of quiet"
We perceive, however, that the people at Little Rock
the capital of the State continue active in their efforts to
effect restoration of the ega Government at the earliest
possible moment Union meetings frequently held at
that place whose proceedings encourage the belief that
the loyal sentiment in the State rapidly increasing The
greatest obstacle to general demonstration in
counties at distance from Little Rock and not under
the protection OF the Union forces appears to be the
apprehension of secession vengeance To this effect we
make the following extract from able speech recently
delivered atone Of these meetings by Col c. ANDREWS,
OF the Third Minnesota Regiment who is now in COM
maud at Little Rock:
" The Federal forces have occupied Little Rock sixty
FIVE days This is the third Union meeting the citizens
have held and considering all circumstances their at
tendance here to-day is fair glad to know that the
citizens who have been active in these are some
Of the most worthy and Influential men of Arkansas And
yet it appears there many in your city who wish
to be considered as loyal ciizens-and many of whom
believe to be sincere Union men--who avoid your meet
ngs desiring to refrain from any overt Union acts They
point 10 the injuries sustained heretofore by Union men
other portions If the State at the hands of the Con-
federates for demons rbtons made while those localities
temporarily occupied by Federal troops and saw
they do not wish to any such rrks While applaud
aud admire you who come here and publicly ayow your
loyalty have Ieproaches for thos, who stay away
Unarmed citizens cannot be blamed if they have not vet
got their dread Of Confederate and guerrilla VEN
geance We cannot expect every to be hero or to
incur RISKS OF martyrdom am glad to feel that
majority OF the people are passvey friendly to us and
VIII not complain il they wait until every vesge of any
organized rebel force he State is annhiated and every
guerrilla thoroughly cleaned out before they throw up
their hats and hurrah for the Union When these things
accomplished have doubt they will throw up their
hsts enough higher and shout enough louder make up
for their past silence do not wish to excite false hopes
but believe the Federal flag will henceforward continue
to float here at Little Rock the capital Of Arkansas
lotg and as constantly as it shall float Bunker Hill
selves and others to alarm Themselves with the idea that
Prices army will come back here Why, my friends we
have indeed heard that arge number Of his want to
come back to Little Rock They want to come and lay
down their and take the oath Of allegiance Quite
number Of his have already been here for that pur
pose since Gen Steele took pc, session
1--WE learn good authority, and see by acts that it ia
true that majority Of the people Of your are loyal
1t pleasant the other day to full mounted COM
pany of kansians numberng ninety four as they passed
ths Capitol on their way from Perry county t, be muster
ed into the United States service They were dressed in
their homespun and carried the flag OF the Union at the
head Of their column. Recruits are coming in fast
Three white regiments are being organized and
meeting with success The third regiment has now six
companies complete"
Col Andrews is fayorably known to many Of our citi.
zens as having held important position in the Office Of
the Solicitor Of the Treasury during the administration of
Mr.. Pierce The remainder of his speech from which
make the foregoing extract eloquent in it's denunciaon
Of the rebellion and in urging the prosecution of the
until it shall have been completely subdued.
Our accounts from Little Rock especially continue to
report to the Union strength 10 that vicinity
People from the country constantly coming in and
taking the oath Of allegiance, and many enrolled them
selves into companies for home defence Recruiting for
the United States service was also quite active.
Col Johnson Of the First Arkansas Cavalry, was elect
ed on the 23d utmo to represent the western district Of
tho State in Congress.