Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-27
Union and American.
WEDNESDAY,, DECEMBER -, Ise5.E
Gen, Sherman's Visit to Arkansas.
sreech nj Little Reck-Reception nj
HeIena-Good Suggestion 20 build
Raads Ipvecs. etc.

HeIeua-Good Suggestion ca build
Roads, Levees, ETC.
A Convention 10 take into consideration
the political affairs of Arkansas was adj
dressed by General Sherman, during his re
cent visit to Little Rock, as follows:
GENTLEMEN: You are fully informed of
the reasons why / am here, which is by
enec;,l invitation of your committee. / am
a miIitarv man, and as such it is not expect
ed or desired that ] shall engage in any POI
litical discussion, or give you any advice
politically. We military men dislike to
Iningle in political movements. We are
sworn to obey the Constitution and laws,
and in this country the laws govern.
have not stopped 70 inquire by what
authority YOU come together, nor do / care;
for citizens of any neighborhood, county or
State have a right to meet together and con-
suit as TO the best mode of promoting the in
terests of the community, but be sure you
represent the sentiments of the people. l
think you ought 10 be very careful that you
reflect the opinion of the whole people Of
Arkansas. know the people Of the South,
and know no Southern gentleman would
Willingly or Intentionally represent himself
TO be what ne is not But understand you
are citizens OF arkansas, and delegates Of the
people. thc.afore you have right TO be here
to discus mattersof interest TO yourselves
10 consider your grievances, If you nave
any, and to petition the President or Con-
gress for redress, and i believe they Will do
you justice.
But Won have more important work. 1t
is not political. Your State needs attention
in other directions. j come here from dis
lance, and tel yo1 / find you far behind
all other parts Of the country. Give your
immediate attention to those things which
will make yCur State inviting to the stranger
to come and ssJtle among you. You have
not fifty miles Of good roads In Arkansas;
improve these; make travelling more easy
from Poin: 70 PIT. You are beflnd your
sister States because you have not adopted
any svste.l of internal improvement, or
developed any Of your vast resources.
You arc welcome back into the Union,
which is to-day stronger than ever, and the
United States Is now more highly honored
abroad than heretofore, and beloved at home.
But you th:.,s you have not all the rights
You arc entitled TO, yet you now have more
rights and privileges under existing circum-
Etances tim ycu woald have in any civilized
country exec kn@;ca. Had you done as
you did in this LAID, under the bloody flag
OF Grea. Britain or the tri-oolor of France,
many Of ycl would not be here, and you
would not have been permitted to assemble
as YOU arc now assembled, and talk over
political questions ana rig ats. Is not the
meeting OF this convention tha hest evidence
tina, you have n COCA zeal Of liberty. As to
the measure OF yC;Ir rights, / cannot l"'orn
you. What is rfghtaad wrong / Go not pro-
Tess TO know, an DO net think you know,
buL we can ali understand what is Law. Ia
quire a. TO VII. "a l@gfGi-that Is pain ana
simple. Act Ia-fIliy and yo- viii do rigl.t.
There are large rlnlbclB OF lawyers within
the EJGnG OF NY voice Who can tel you what
is lawful. Confess to the laws. This is al
We, Is I1ilitny men, can sanction. Law IS
our guide.
] take re liberty c. suggesting t. yo1 the
proIrisiy OF every citizen helping his neigI-
Dor. The cc;lctry IL poor, ana you Cal all
do soaloIiing towards byilding ii W ana re-
storing it 70 T-cspaity. Caltivate the soil;
scteyour plaata.ion in order; make every
possible inlr-ovSmcnt; Get your local and
county ailir5 in CccI Shape. Such work
will be fay more important than whether
you shall vots this year or -e-it, or lot until
two or three Yeas hence. There need be
s"s'NAs at-A' lsaAAaNtbA "a o'a@sNNNAN'a1
bide your time; help build NJ the country,
and never mind aLou. voting for the pres
cnt. believe all VII work oIt right III
few years. What you wan Ina this State IL
work, "eibow grease" YoI haze minerals
and other resources; dcvslope those and let
the matter OF voting alone fog n little while
With one million OF acres ca gooo COZ, line
rivers, yet your population IS thinner than
South Caro- Ia thG. yOI have been taught TO
call Uncivilized and barbarous. Improve
your roads, and do all you can TO maze
yourlSta'c attractive 10 the imnl grant. Ncu
are behind in all this Now 90 to work
earnestly in there directions and then invite
immigration. Fully as favored as Missouri
IN Climate and resources, you can invite
people hithcr, and many will come and set
lie among you. i thing / am not overstat-
ing when ], say that from $1,000 to $4,000
persons will have to come into Missouri
within the year, who will pay into the Treas
ury from five 10 fifty dollars each as taxes.
With proper efforts, Arkansas can receive
n large addition to her population and tax
paying citizens.
With reference to the particular thing
which brings you together, have nothing to
say. Yet If you need advice concerning your
interests, as military mea, we cannot give
any, but rs one gentlemal TO another we can.
Gen. Reynolds will, as il is his duty, and will
be equally his pleasure, cheerfully confer
with any OF you, and render you all the aid
he can.
But You think you are oppressed by the
State Government Tie fact that you are
here to-day To tai; concerning it shows plain
ly that you are no. suffering any severe op-
preston from il. El..H.
You want peace; the nation wants peace
we all desire peace, and know we have it. |
Whether yoa want it or not you shall kagc "a, |
Tor we have the power 10 enforce i'll Cloud |
cheers)