Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1864-02-18

to change IL from an Immediate to grad
nal emancipation provision. the Union
tells US that when an amendment was Of
fcred by DR.. Jacks. of Helena. to insert
latter the year 1885" every man but one
poted .'no." This is the first straight for.
ward. honest blow At slavery that any
State has made. Maryland has. as yet.
only barred her arm to strike. Missouri
was wheedled or juggled into striking fee
bly,. or falling short entirely. L. is true
that Arkansas now is no. the Arkansas Of
1860. and that this is tho action of con-
yention representing . minority of those
who were once citizens. but we are strong
ly Inclined to believe. from all we can
learn. that majority OF those who are
now. or are re'liksly to become citizens, will
approve il, sstablish it as the fundamental
law. anil compel whoever enters the State
hereafter to respect and abide by it. OF
course rebel victory expelling our troops,
and secu.in permanent rebel re- occupa-
tion OF the State. would melt oil this work
away with breath. but such victory is
not probable, and with such . result is al
most impossible. II this Constitution
shall be approved on the l4th OF March,
We firmly believe that Arkansas will have
been fixed among the Free States never to
fall by force or treachery from q proud
place in q restored and prosperous nation.
The msmb bers composing the Convention
numbered forty .one. representing twenty.
two counties. and divided politically, ac-
cording to list in the Union. as follows:
Democrats. %; Wings. 10; Americans. 9.
What is meant by the distinct ion between
"Whigs" and Americans" we don't
know. but presume il grows ont Of some
local differences in past times. Some sew
en- or eight Of the ConveAtion were slave.
boilers. In their Address to the People
the members say that they had no power
to frame new Government for the State,
ut finding twenty-five counties represent
Cd. and six ready to be, they deemed it for
the interest of the people to propose Gov.
crnment. and il the people accepted il the
wo would be don,, and Arkansas re
stored to the Union; while to have done
nothing. after having been elected by q
considerable portion of the people to or.
ganize Government, would have subject.
cd them to ccnsure.
The following is the Unions account Of
the Inauguration Of the Free State Provis
ional Government.
Wednesday. the Goth day Of January
1864, will long be remembered in the an,
nails Of Arkansas. II will be commemo.
rated as the birthday Of Free State-tb,
day upon which returned the first wander
ing prodigal. redeemed and regene.ated.
The scene wasa s solemn as it was su
blime. The Senate Chamber, beautiful,
decorated with the flag of our count y
furnished by the Commando Of the Post
Col. &. q. Andrews, was fillod to over
flowing by eager and anxious spectators
A committee Of the Convention waitet
upon Governor Isssc Murphy, Iieutenan
Governor q. G. Bliss, and Mr.. r. j. T
White, Secretary of State elect, and 60
cOr,ed them to the Chamber, while tn,
splendid band Of the 81 Minnesots, dis
eoulsed patriotic music. Prsyer was thel
offered up by Rsv. Isaac Butler. after which
the Provisional Governor, elect, arose
and with evident and uncomfortable emo
tion. addressed the vast crowd in a man
ner creditable alike to himself and the oc
casion.
! This over. the President of the Conven
tion administered the oath Of office to eacl
of::the incumbents, amid . silence and Al
awe that was really painful. The cheek
Of more than one Of the many spectator
were moistened with tear, SO full wer
oil with the solemnlty of tho scene.
After the cath Of Office had been dul
administered. the Convention, by reques
was addressed by w. NJ. Fishback On,
Rev. JAS. A. Butler. The Convention
then adjourned until 10 O'Clock Thursda
morning sg aorh
The Major General Commanding th
Army of the Arkansas. had been notifie
Of the Inauguration. and the Convention
awaited his arrival for some time, but ow
ing to some previous engagement. he di
not reach the Chamber until the ceremo
MES we're nearly over. He regretted
very much.-lnd. journal.