The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-11-07
Arkansas Reorganization in the
State.
President JOhnsOn's Views--State-
ment of Hon. f. W. CAN'T.
From The washington OhFonlcle-


The reorganization in Arkansas has pro-
gresied quietly and is a SUGGEST.
In the fall Of lS63 the first meetings were
held locking 10 State convent ton. In Feb
ruary, 1864, a convention was holden. Il
adopted a State Constitution abolishing sla-
very, repudiaiing the Confederate debt, and
nullifying al the acts done by the Confede-
rate authorities except marriage certificates,
acknowledgment Of deeds, and few other
minor things. Il proceeded 10 organize q
Provisional government by the appoint
ment Of Hon. Isaac Murphy Governor, EN-
powering him t9 order an election for per
manent government, and requiring him 10
submit 10 the people the Constitution for
approval or rejection. The election was 50
ordered, and permanent government es-
tablished, with his Excellency, Isaac Aur-
ply, as Governor. The Constitution a.
amended, was adopted BY a vote, in round
numbers, Of twelve Thousand for and two
hundred against it. The vote cast was near
cne-half the estimated voting population Of
the State. little less thsn Gne-iourth Of the
vote OF 1860, and but few hundred less, if
not equal 10 the entire vote cast for Seces-
sion in 1861.
This organization was Of the people and
Spontaneous. Il has been enormously sup
lOsed that the executive or the military
originated or controlled it. know person
ally to the contrary. Advocating, in the
fsll Of 1868 and the winter flS64, the hold
ing Of a convention and the amendment Of
our Constitution abolishing slavery, for
rea 0ns stated in various speeches and let
ters, bad an opportunity 10 know much
that was done. as the then commsnder Of
the department, a brave and accomplished
soldier, opposed 10 our views on this point
u q
the measure that I should 90 20 Washing
ton and see what influences could be brought
TO bear upon General Steele 10 induce him to
favor our plans, he expressing his entire
willingness 70 dc what the President desired
in the premises. Before leaving there was
gene al understanding that If the conven-
tton we're tull it should proceed 70 work and
do what was necessary. If not full, il
should order an election for a convention %
be holden at some future designated day.
Before reaching Washington, l was over
taken by prominent citizen Of the State,
who, leaving after / did, assured me that
the convention would not be held. Arriv-
ing at Washington, we visited Mr.. Lincoln
together, and he submitted to US his plan
Of reorganization, whereby an election was
ordered for tha 25th Of March, 1854. In the
meantime advices reached me from home,
informing me OF the meeting and action OF
the convention, among which was its order
for an election on the l4th Of March. /
called at once on President Lincoln, made
iuN explanation, and urged the cons0lida-
ton Of the plans. He cheerfully complied,
and wrote by me a letter 10 General Steele
to that effect. So the election was holden
on the day in the manner prescribed BY the
convention, and met the full approval Of
President Lincoln.
The new State Government was thus in
auguraied. Since then it has gained strength
steadily. Weak at first, and without a dol
lar TO commence with, is indeiatigable OFF
GERS, aided by the well-timed and prudent
counsel aud assistance Of Gen. Reynolds,
have succeeded in administering its Affairs
until the oppOsing Confederate authorities,
from Governori down, acknowledge ITS su-
prelnacy, and until every county in the
State is as thoroughly organized as before
the war.
We have fortunately had few disseusions
in our midst, and If the people are not dis
turbed by disappointed and ambitious office
seekers, apprehend little in the future. The
utmost quies prevails in our midst. A citi-
zen Of any portion Of the United States can
travel unattended throughout our entire
borders. Courts are being held in all the
counties. Estates are beng ad ninistered
dreds Of thousands Of dollars are in train Of
collect on property is being bought and
sold under execution F.; marriages are being
solemnlzed, and other contracts entered into
upon the faith Of the permanence uf our
state Government. In o word, every act
which State in perfect vigor can do is
now being done, and the dawn Of returning
prosperity breaks upon US.
Il is desired especially that the attention
Of the public be called 10 the fact that three
important questions have been settled in
our State. First, the insertion Of a clause
in our STATE Constitution forever prohib bit
ing slavery. Second, the Reputation 4 the
Confederate debt; aud, in the third place,
the prompt ratification by our Legislature
OF the Constitutional Amendment abolish
ing slavery. They are adopted as just
principles by portion Of our people, while
a large proportion of the residue acquiescs
in them as points legitimately settled BY
the war.
That some mistakes were made in re-
turns, that too much was done in some
things and too little in others may be true,
but iortuSately these are all within the
reach Of the courts and Legislature,
Such is briefly our State Government,
which relies upon the President and Con
gress and the country for recognition, and
mes, must at last be sub .tanliRlly lust
what It is. Yours truly,
F. W. CAN'T.
T. VI. GASrr--DEsPArcH IRON PRESIDENT JOHN
son
ExzDUTIvE OFTICE.
WAsHrSCToS, D. G., Oct. 30, 1866.
TO Gorernor Murphy, Little Rock, Arsar-
scs
There Will be DO disturbance with your
present organizati n Of State Government
1 have learned from L. ". Can't, Esq, and
other sources, that all is working We J, aad
you will proceed and resume the former re-
latioEs with the Federal Government, and
all the aid IN the power Of the Govemm,n mt
will be given in restoring the State to its
former relations.
ANDREW JOHNSON,
President United States