The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-01-20

Arkansas..Gen. steele.
Considerable attention is given through.
out the country to the posture our neigh
Dor adjoining us on the South-the State
of Arkansas occupying, and is likely toi
occupy, in respec, to national relations
The people there must sec that 30 lar as
they, at least, are concerned, the rebellion
IL pricked bubble. A large part OF the
territory of Arkansas is already under Co.
eupation by Federal troops, while the few
posts held by the enemy are of small mill
tsry Importance, and are ready to be aban
cd whenever the Union forces move upon
them. It continues to be more and more
apparent that whatever fighting may here
afte- transpire west of the Mississippi will
be principally confined to the Gulf region,
the scene being in Texas and Louisiana
The fate of Arkansas was fully fixed by the
fall of Vicksburg, and the question now is
whether the people of that State will ao'
cept their destiny, and arrange their politi'
cal household in view of the circumstances
BY which they are surrounded, so as to re-
turn as speedily as possible to that condi-
ton under the Union where they may gov
ern themselves, or whether, morose and
impracticable, they will hold back and &C.
quiesce in indefinitely in military rule. We
are glad to observe unquestionable evil
dences of good sense and wisdom on the
paat of the citizens in meeting this question,
and though there are various plans for the
rehabilitation of the State, and some diff
ferences in regard to details, as must have
been expected, the general desire nOticea'
bic to shake of the Southern confedscpcy
and heartily adhere to the Union, ia Raexj
gratifying.
In this connection we may refer to the
course pursued by Gen. STEELE, who
commands the Federal forces in Arkansas
'It is a remarkable fact that, the arms
bearing population left in it, Arkansas,
since the advent of General Steele, has furn-
ished more volunteers for the Union army,
thanany equal number elsewhere. Counties,
where JEFF. Davis conscript officers could
not find score of men, have since sent full
companies to the Union army. Among the
citizens, of all classes, the old sentiment of
love for the Union is re asserting its power;
prejudices are dying away, and men are re-
turning to their allegiance, not as matter
Of force, but from duty and choice. The
policy of General Steele has won thousands
back, and has recruited the Federal army |
with thousands of good men, whereas, if
he had adopted harsh, destructive policy, |
permitted his soldiers TO plumber, and had
imprisoned, prosecuted, and murdered citi-
zens, the result would have been that these
recruits would have been driven to Prise,
and the citizens, now loyal, would have set
sullenly disloyal. waiting an opportunity
for revenge.
We have conyersed with gentlemen from
all parts of the State; we receive and pub
lish some letters touching indirectly on this
subject, and we have talked with goodly
number from Dixie The testimony of all
these IS concurrent, they all tell the same
story, and that story is to the effect that
secession and disloyalty are dying out fast.
The rebel leaders were hoping aud praying
that Gen. Steele would be cruel and re-
lentless, and so drive the citizens to them.
The firm and conciliatory policy Of the
Generals is far more terrible
to them than any blow which can be struck.
1t has caused their soldiers to desert, the
citizens to withdraw their aid and sympathy
from the rebel cause, and has rendered
them almost powcrless"
Gen. Steele is not a politician, but he has
seemed to have, from the very first, an ex
csllent conception of the duties pertaining
to one placed in his position,as well as q good
idea of the motives and mainsprings of
men. The devastation doctrine that de,
lights in killing, and burning, and irritating
has never advanced the Union cause, and it
cannot have escaped observation that those
officers who have relied wholly upon the
efficacy of relentless iron rule, have not
oseR the most successful in the results oil
heir administration. f--.e
HE PRISONERS AT RICHMOND The
baltimore American announces that on