Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-06-02
THE NEW SENATOR FROM AsxAxsAs.
wAsnrsoros. MAY %, 1864

e4Hdcl n your issue OF Today from the Tribune OF
'terday" ia which are preferred against me certain
charges promulgated i'm the first instance by rebel ympa
thzes in Arkansas who for than three years past
have feared and hated me- for other reason than be-
of my earnest and active loyalty and the publication
Of which in journal of much influence as The Natona
Intellgencer is calculated to do me- less than nv
constituents grievOus injustice in public estimation
Inasmuch therefore, you have Internationally, as
am induced to believe, done this injustice feel as
sured you will not object in my vndicaton to publishing
the following facts
For time prior to the rebellion had been under
the ban of suspicion 10 Arkansas abotionis" be-
of what conceived to be my liberal views the
slavery question and especially because Of letter
which had published concerning the John Brown affair
and which came very driving me from the State.
Nor was this suspicion essened when the secession aga
ton began. / made haste to take strong and decided
grounds against it, SO active and successful my
opposition that part Of the State where resided that
threats Of taking my life of driving from the State
became frequent and extensive The newspapers of the
State especially abusive and menacing Bot WINS
elected to the Convention by large majority after it
decided to have Convention and my way to the capt.
tai to take my seat ioa1ned the Secretary Of State
not TO to Little Rock noud be hung went,
however, aud at the first session of the Convention
voted the ordinance of secession down by small majority
During my stay in Little Rock my life constantly
threatened and return mob in the town of Clarks
Vile, through which had TO pass had provided half
bushel of rotten eggs for my benefit and because Of my
efforts in defeating the ordinance.
When Sumter fred on, and the thorough organiza
ton of the rebels became developed suddenly take
the Union quite by SURPRISE the President unfortu
naey called the Convention together again. Upon
bling found two rebel regiments already the capital
hair hand
the Governor receiving troops daily and the Union
entirely without organization concert. immediately
upon discovering this state Of facts became convinced
that the State inevitably gone aud attempted make
my escape to the North But great the bitterness
against me- and keeny watched, Git expected
that would attempt to escape, and therefore my
ments closely watched for they desired excuse
for my assassinatlon) that found it impossible, and
left but to acquesee them and to make
escape aerward, when suspicion should subsde This
did on the uery first opportunity Nor did sssist
the rebelie any way, shape form after that VOTE
II is universally conceded by those who were presents
aud who knew the feelings of the rebel mob who surrounds
ed that Convention, that possibly the only man
that body who could not have voted against the ordinance
at that session without being 1t was my ex
tremey radical loyalty therefore, which constrained that
vote. -
aging others to do so, in any way, basely and mali
cously false Morris there single in the State Of Ar
kansas who believes now did beeye that have
now or did have any sympathy with the rebellion
Nor was it charged until recently, eectioneer
ne fasehood by newspaper editor, who together with
his reporters but the other day denied the privilege
entering the House of Representatives of Arkansas that
body because among other things of his evident ennlty
to the Government and who has in his employ to write
all his editorials the great oracle of the rebellion in our
State, who in 1861 bitterly abusive of me as
abolitionlst" as he is !" rebel"
not surprised them at the appearance of the article
referred to- for had been admonished beforehand that
these my rebel enemies would thus attempt to msnform
the public to my antecedents Indeed their opposition
to protracted through three years more Bit
ter proportion to their hatred of the Government which
they know full well will endeavor, at all hazards and at
whatever cost to sustain They hate too of
my action and earnest and successful efforts getting our
constitution amended to abolish the institution which
has been the OF all this war and woe.
That you and the public may the better estimate the
character of the Legislature by whom was elected
herewith enclose copy of the test to which each cand
date for Senatorial honors subjected before receiving
their surages, of which received very large majority
AZ out of rs.
AS to my being allowed seat the floor of the Senate
fcbsber believe is customary and quite in accordance
with proprety The State Government of Arkansas il
fully organized and in operation. 1t is just as much and
Just as legmaely State any other in the Union My
credentials all regular and the presumption therefore
is that United States Senator until the Senate have
decided otherwise. Besides Gen. Lane did not act with.
out consulting the leading Senators and the seat occupy
kindly rendered by Gen. Pomeroy.
Very truly &c.
w M FISHBACK.
Tssi TO ohich candidates for the T. s. Senate oere sinh
iected By the House Of Representatives. Of Arkansas
ResoLoed That whereas it devolves upon the General
the Federal Congress- by the election of two United States
Senator's and that this House, feeling the deep Importance
Of the duty devovng upon them desire that the most
fit persons be selected to fill such vacancies and beIey
ing that patriotism, honesty and capacity are the only
by which such fitness be truly Judged there
fore be it
ResotDed That any person who shall offer himself as
candidate Tor the SURFACES OF this House for the position OF
United States Senator must prior to going into the
election OF United States Senator'S file with the Clerk of
this House plain and unequvocal answer 10 the follow
oath prescribed for United States Senators and that such
oath and such questions shall be subscribed sorn to
before the Clerk Of this House:
1st Have you taken oath to support the Cons
tuition Of the Confederate States? III you have und.r
what circumstances
Mr.. Fishback's answer. have not
ID Have you signed any petition or paper request
ing any convention body legislature assembage of ct
zens to authorize or request them transfer the State
Of Arkansas from the Federal Union or to
their right of from said Unions or to
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