The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1865-06-09
Address of Governor Murphy to the Peo-
pie Of the State-Conoiliation Urged,
EXECUTIVE OFFicE, LITTLE Rock,
ri M, "a
Ark, May. 10.

Ark, May, 10.
FELLOW CITIZENS: We trust that the war
is over that precious, cherished peace Is at hand
that soon all good men can 90 to their several
Mlnes, and live with their families in security,
under tie protecting power of law faithfully
executed
Organized armies have ceased to contend.
Our deluded and harassed feilow-citizens, who
have been warning against their own government
are returning home as paroled prisoners.
They have suffered much from the tyranny
of their leaders. Led into the rebellion by
fraud, falsehood, force, and cruelty they have
been kept III arms by the same means.
The government Of the United States has Oh
feged forgiveness, aud all good citizens will sus.
tain the government by upholdiug its laws
Prisoners, on complying with the terms OF
amnesty, are, in law, loyal citizens OF the Uni
ted States and of this state, and are entitled
to full protection until the right to 1t IS forfeited
by crime.
They should be so treated as not 10 furnish
them with an excuse for renewed aggreSsons
and nothing now is wanting 10 restore Arkan-
saS the security and happiness Of a well ordered
society but unity, harmony, and the full eXer-
The enforcement Of the law by courts and
iuries will soon repress violence. Let us ALL,
then, try to forget the past, and ene-geticalIy
press on to the restoration Of our former peace,
happiness, and p osperity. Let us one and all
earnestly 60 10 work to build UP what this
wicked rebellion has pulled down, striving to
make the desoate and waste places glad, and to
heal the ghastlY wounds Of this terrible war.
We have all done wrong. No one can say
that has heart is altogether clean and his hands
pure. Then, az we wish to be for9iyen, iet Us
forgive these who have sinned against Us and
ours.
The land is stepped in blood-innocent blood
and defled with crime. Let US wash it out
with tears of sorrow and repentance, works OF
love, kindness, and charity; that peace, good viii,
and confidence may return and dwell among Us.
To the end, therefore, that the good citizen
may be projected in al bis rights and privileges,
II IS necessary that the several counties Of the
state should be fully organized, and civil otices
filed by capable and ;gus,y men. TO effect this,
most earnestly request the citizens Of the coun-
ties that nave not organized under the new Con-
stitutiOn, to meet and consult together, and re-
commend to the governor Of the state such men
rs they wish TO ill the various county offices, that
commissions may be Forwarded at an cary day.
The sooner this is done the better it will be
for all; and 1t is further proposed that those
who are able will 20 to work energeticaiiy to
raise food and provide clothing, that the suffer-
ing now so prevalent may be relieved.
IAat war and its progeny, theft robbery,
desoation and murder, are neither pleasant nor
profitable, It is hardly necessary to affirm and
now when the armies of the rebellion are dis
banded and disbanding, and the ruin that the
wrath of men can produce is SO apparent, l
doubt not that citizen and soldier, the young
and the old, will unite in harmonious efforts for
q Of tie ffSsiass. past. . Of ''' 3''''' ' ~ - '' .
Let cur last conquest be conquest Of the hearts
of our enemies By kindness-then peace viii be
| lasting. Isaac MURPHY, Governor.