Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1864-04-14

Stare Constitution. Though the latest re-
duced "Confederate" State. it is yet the
first OF any to reconstitute itself on Free
State basis. II has been admirably prompt
beth in deciding and executing. Un-
doubtedly the chief cause of this superior
promptitude over Louisiana and Tennessee
is the fact that the slave population Of the
State has been at no, time more than one
third as large. On account Of the COM
parative newness ofthe country, the large
Shareholders were comparatively very few.
and the great majority of the people had
no slaves at all. 1t was only by the most
villainous Shicanery that the Secession
Convention was elected which professed to
take Arkansas ont Of the Union. Slavery
did not supply the same stimulus in that
State that it did in some of the others. 1t
is not at all strange that when brought
back by force. she SO much moro readily
acceE is the result. and adopts her social
system to the new order of things.
There has been some apprehension that
disagreement which. has existed to some
extent between the Military Commander,
General Steele, and some of the leading
citizens, respecting the best plan of resto-
ration. would delay, if not absolutely frus-
trate, the movement. But the largeness
of the vote given, and the decisiveness OF
the majority. evinco that these dissensions
were brought happily to an end; and the
path now seems to be perfectly clear to the
early and complete fnl6llment of the will
Of the people just expressed. The Legis-
lature will meet next month to elect SEN
ators to Congress. the election has already
taken place for Representatives to the
House. The whole machinery Of the State
Government will soon be in operation
throughout all parts of the State which
lave been reclaimed from rebel control,
now amounting to nearly four-tifths. The
rebel authorities are not blind to the fact
that Arkansas is about to pass forever from
their grasp, and have again put General
Price in the supreme command OF the de-
paitment, in order TO make one last effort
for its recovery. We have no belief. how
ever. that the demonstration will be push
ed to any great extent. 1t is too palpably
impracticaLIe for even rebel insanity 10 en-
tcrtain seriously for any long period
Price, who has SO often failed before in his
operations upon that region, will find him.
self, after such a development. and organi-
zation Of Unicn feeling. bafied worse than
ever.
The vote Of louisiana npon Free State
Constitution takes place next month. as
does also that of Maryland. Tennessee
will also pass upon the same question be-.
fore the end Of May, We may confident
" reckon that before the Spring closes
four Slave States will have been trans
formed by organic law into Free States.
leaving but nine still under the thrall Of
the institution. Kentucky alone of the
loyal States. will enjoy the unenviable dis
tinction of adhering to relic of barbarism
which is uniformly spurned by every re-
generate rebel State, as incompatible with
true devotion to the Union. AS our ar
mics advance, and the remaining rebel
States sncccssively yield to the old flag.
beyond all doubt a Free State Govern
ment will be adopted in each. This result
viii be brought about with less difficulty
in some than in others, but it is sure to
come. sooner or later. to all alike, 1t will
come not simply by the military effect of
the Presidents Proclamation. 1t will OBJ
tain more important sanction yet from
the direct political action Of the people
Arkansas WAS included in the Emarcipa-
tion PROCLAIM ation; and, so lar as that mo-
mentous document could avail. the freedom
of the slaves was already secured. Yet
that did not hinder the people Of Arkan-
sas from .ra,ifying. with the Presidents
own approval, this extinction OF slavery in
the State. Just such a popular rati6ca-
tion will be given in every other reclaimed
State--des,roying the last chance for cav
ling against the legal effect of the procla-
m alton. which the enemies Of the President
have denounced with such bitterness.
The Presidents method of reconstruc.
ton may now be considered to be ''in the
full tide of successful experiment" 1t is
progressing with every promise of complete
success. Every new application Of it only
furnishes new evidence of, it's wisdom. Ii
will soon, we believe, be universally recog-
nized to be the only true wsy--the way at
once perfectly safe aud perfectly effective.
". Y. Times, March 20.
!. Mr.. McClurg. the member Of Congress