The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-01-03
ARKANSAS.
SPEECH BY GENERAL SHERMAN.
Frank Advice to The People.

SPEECH BY GENERAL SHERMAN.
Frank Advice to Inc People.
A Convention of delegates from ell the
counties in Arkansas met at Little Rock on
the 18th. to take into consideration the po-
litical affairs of the State Maj. Gen. Sher-
man. who was visiting that department. was
invited to attend. He was received by ID.
TIL. Gibson, the President, who, in his adj
dress, made complaints on behalf of the citi-
Gems of Arkansas, the principal one being
the test oath, adopted by the existing State
authorities, and asked the General to aid
them to full realization of their civil rights
without delay.
Gen. Sherman responded as follows:
GENTLEMEN: You are fully informed OF
the reasons why am here, which is by the
special invitation of your COMMITTEES. am
q military man, and as such it is not expect
ed or desired that shall engage in any po-
litical discussion, or give you any advice,
politically. We military men dislike to
mingle in political movements. We are
sworn to obey the Constitution and laws,
and in this country the laws govern.
have not stopped to inquire by what au-
thority you come together, nor do care
for citizens of any neighborhood, county OF
State, have right to meet together and
consult as to the best mode of promoting
the interests of the community; but be sure
you represent the sentiments of the people.
l think you ought to 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 he is not. But understand you
are citizens of Arkansas and delegates of the
people; therefore, you have right to be
here to discuss matters of interest to your
selves-to consider your grievances, if you
have any, to petition the President or Con-
gress for redress, and believe they will do
you justice.
But you have more important work. It is
not political Your State needs attention in
other directions. I come here from dis
lance, and tell you find you behind all
other parts of the country. Give your i'm
mediate attention to those things which will
make your State inviting to the stranger to
come and settle among you. You have not
fifty miles of good roads in Arkansas I'm
prove these make travelling more easy from
point to point You are behind your sister
States because you have not adopted any
system of internal improvement OF developed
any of your vast resources
You are welcomed 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 think you have not all the rights
you are entitled to, yet you have more rights
and privileges under existing circumstances
than you would have in any civilized coun-
try except America. Had you done as you
did in this land under the bloody flag of
Great Britain or the tri-color of France many
of you would not be here, and you would not
have been permitted to assemble as you are
now assembled, and talk over political ques-
lions and rights. Is not the meeting of this
convention the best evidence that you have q
good deal of liberty2 As to the measure Of
your rights, cannot inform you. What is
right and wrong l do not profess to know,
and do not think you know, but We can all
understand what is law. Inquire as to what
is lawful-that is plain and simple. Act
lawfully and you will do right. There are
large numbers of lawyers within the sound
of my voice who can tell you what is lawful.
Confess to the laws This is all we, as mill
tary men, can sanction. Law is our guide.
take the liberty of suggesting to you the
propriety of every citizen helping his neigh
bors. The country is poor, and you can all
do something toward building it up and re-
storing it to prosperity. Cultivate the soil !;
set your plantation in order; make every
possible improvement; get your local and
county affairs in good shape. Such work
will be far more important and beneficial
than whether you shall vote this year or next,
or not until two or three years hence. There
need be no hurry about this political organi-
zation; bide your time; help build up the
country, and never mind about voting for the
present. I believe all will work out right
in few years. What you want in this State
is work-"elbow grease" You have minerals
and other resources; develop those and let
the matter of voting alone for awhile.
With one million of acres of good soil, fine
rivers, yet your population is thinner thanin
South Carolina, that you have been taught
to call uncivilized and barbarous You are
partially responsible for this. Improve your
roads, and do all you can to make your State
attractive to the immigrant. You are behind
in all this, Now go to work earnestly in
these directions, and then invite immigration.
Fully as favored as Missouri in climate and
resources, you can invite people hither, and
many will come and settle among you. !
think am not overstating when say that
from fifty to eighty thousand persons will
have come into Missouri within the year,
who will pay into the treasury from five to
fifty dollars each as taxes. With proper eff
forts, Arkansas can receive 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 YOU
interests, as military men we cannot give any
but as one gentleman to another we can
General Reynolds will, as it is his duty ;.nd
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 thu
State government. The fact that you ar,
here to-day to talk concerning it, show,
| plainly that you are not suffering any sever,
oppression from it.
Your want peace; the nation wants peace
we all desire peace, and know we will hav,
it. Whether you want it or not you shall
have it, for we have the power to enforce it.
| Loud cheers. -
MARRIAGE GUIDE.
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