, 1865-12-24
FROM ARKANSAS.
Assembling Of Lie Peoples Col-
yontiOn.

Cen. .ShcrMnnsk skSpccch-stalportnnt and
Very Plain SuEgcstIonK-Tle Pollt-
Ieal Situation.
Correspondence Of the Chicago Ttlbune.l
L7LE ROCK, Dec. II, 1865.
A Convention Of delegntes from all the
counties in tho State met here on Monday, to
take into consideration the political nf,airs Of
Arkansas. Among other business t1nnsacted,
committee WIS appointedrto invite Major
Generals Sherman (wbo Is at present visiting
this Department. and Reynolds and Governor
Murphy to attend. Tie twu former accepted
and the Inter declined.
! To-day {Tucsday) at noon, Maj. Gen. ".
r. Sherman was waited upon by the COM
mlttce, and came to the hall accompanied by
Maj. Gen. J. J. Reynolds, commander Of the
Department Of Arknnsas, and stall. As the
party passed up the aisle to the front every
person in the large Gssemb1age rose to his feet
md remained standing during the delivery Of
the address of welcome.
The President, Dr.. T. L. Gibson, In intro
ducing General Sherman to the Convention,
much warmth Of feeling, but in tone quite
inaudible TO the vast majority Of the nudf-
encc. As much as your reporter could hear
was devoted to cordial greeting Of the dis.
,tingulshed visitor and honored commander of
ssemeht hs e15x J, sGa te # tas NssisspR
these being the test oath adopted by the eS-
listing State authoritics} Of the citizens Of Ark
ansas, lately rebels against thc United States,
but now honestly returned to their allegiance
!: to both State and National Governments !;
concluding with the request, on behalf Of tue
Convention, to the General to aid them, "a
/, far as lc could consistently, to full rcstora-
/ tion of their civil rights Without delay.
7 General Sherman, turning to address the
j! Convention, was loudly cheesed. lie spoke
substantially as follows:
= GEN. sHERMAS's srEEcu.
GENTLEMEN: nre fully informed Of
:thc rcasons why am here, which Is by spc-
cial Invitation Of your committee, i GIN O
military man, ani as such II Is not expected
or desired that shah engage IN any political
discussion, or give you any adyfce politically.
I'VE military men dislike to mfngle in political
movements. We are sworn to obey the Con-
stitution and the laws, and In this country tho
I have nol stopped to inquire by what au-
thority yon hare come together, nor do I
care Tor the citizens ot any ueighborhood,
country or State. hare a right to meet to-
/ gethcr and consult as to the best method of
Promoting tic Interests Of The community,
but be sure you fully represent the sentiments
Of the people. think you ought to be very
careful that you reflect the opinion Of the
!; whole people of Arkansas. I know tho peo-
pic Of The South, and / know no Southern
/ gentleman would, willingly or Intentionally,
4: represent bimsclf 10 be wEat he Is not. But
/ Understand you arc citizens OF Arkansas,
and dclcgntes of the people, therefore you
have right to be hero to discuss matters Of
interest TO yourselves; to consider your
grievances, II you have any, and 10 petition
the President or Congress for redtess, md l
believe they will do you Justice.
But you hare more Important work. It
| Is not political. Your Slate needs attention
in other directions I come here from dis
tauce, and tell you find you behind all
\ other parts Of The country. Glye your In.
mediate attention 10 those things which will
! make your State inviting to the stranger to
come and settle among you; ion havc not
| Prove these mike travelling more easy from
point to point. You arc behind your sister
States because you have not adopted any sys-
TEN Of internal improvement or developed
| any Of yoar vast resources.
You lre welcome back into the Union,
which is to-day stronger than ercr, and tho
| United States is now more highly AouOrcd
| abroad than heretofore, and more beloved ut
home, But yon think you have not all the righ 3
| you are entitled to, yet you have now more
Fights and privileges under existing eircum-
stances than you would have In amy civilized
country except America. Had you done Us
| you did in this land under tho bloody flng Of
Great Britain. or the trico1or Of France, many
| Of you would not be here now assembled and
| talk over political questions and Tiqhts. Is
| not the meeting Of this Convention the best
\ evidence that you have great deal Of liberty;
| As to the measure Of your rights, I cannot
inform you. What is right or wrong do moi
| profess to know, and I do not think yol
know. But We can NIL understand what ]!
| lau. Inquire as to what is lawinl-that j:
! plain and simple. Act lawfully and you will
do right. There are large number oil lawyer
within the sound Of my voice who can tel
you what IL lawiul. Conform to the 1aws. Thil
is all We. as military men, can sanction. Law
is our guide.
l. take the liberty Of suggesting to you tht
propricty Of every citizens helping his neigh
Dor. The country Is poor, and you can nj
do something toward building 1t up and re-
storing 1t to prosperity. Cultivate the soil
fet your plantations IL order; make ever,
pessRe epesa3 as e sao Ha ST. o Saes es
will be far more Important and beuelieia
than whether you shall vote this year o.
next, or not until two OF three years hence
There need be no hurry about this politica
organization. Bide your time. Help build VI
the country, and never mind about voting 70
the present. I believe It will all work on
right In few years. What you want in thi
!. Stateis work" elbow grcasc.n You hav
minerals and other resources; ,davelop these
and let the matter Of voting alone 70
awhile. --.'.--.
With one million of acres, a good soil, fin
rivers, yet your population Is thinner than II
many places in South America that yon hav
been taught to call uncivilizea and balba1
ous. You are partially responsible for this
Improve yonr roads, make every county cas-.
Of access, build railroads, and do all you cal
TO make your State attractive to the immi
| grant. You are behind in ali this. Now e
10 work earnestly in these directions, an
Missouri in climate and resources, you ca
invite people hithe1, and mnny Will come an
settle among you. ! think am not over
. stnting when say that from SC, 600 to 50 90
; persons will have come Into Missouri With
the year, who will pay into her treasury fror
Arkansas can receive q large addition to hel
population and ta1-paying citizens.
With reference TO the particular thing whic
brings you together have nothing to SAY
Tct II you need navice concerning you1 tntel
ests, as military men we cnupot give any, bu
as one gentleman to another we can. Get
Reynolds VILLAS 1t is his duty and equal
his pleasure-cheesinlly confer with any {
You, and render you MI thr mid he can.
. But you think you are oppressed BY th
State Government. The fact that you al
here to-day 10 talk concerning it, show
plainly that you arc not suffering any sever
oppression from 1t.
You want peace; the milton wants peace
we all desire peace and know we will hay
It. Whether you want it or not, you aha
hate III for VIC have the power to enforce ]
The General was loudly cheercd when
closed, and also received many expressions
appreciation during the delivery Of bis int
esiing and pointed remarks.
The Convention Is largely made up Of e.
rebel officers, and secns 10 be determined
request supcssedure OF the Murphy Sta1
II Government ION the ground that Il was nc
| elected by nor docs II hive the confidence
the people Of Arkansas) by the President az