The Van Buren press., 1867-06-21
WHAT WILL ARKANSAS DO?

WHAT WILL ARKANSAS DO?
Il question of momentous consequence TO
the people of the State. From our exchanges
we see there is difference Of opinion a to
the proper course to be pursued in this, our
day Of darkness and danger. Some advocate
a total inactivity which, in few words is po-
litical stlf-murder-others think We should
all take the oath who can, an0 all vote who
can, and vote for a cOnrention; Others again,
think we should all vote who can, but against
eonreRtion. The question seems to be, real
ly, narrowed down to this shall we or shall
we not remodel our State Constitution z" We
earnestly desire all to make up their minds on
this momentous question, upon due and ma
ture reflection, for themselves uninhucnccd
by any opinion of ours or of any other single
individuals. In the first place, the "bill''
promises nothing, positively, as a reward for
clf-humilation but the Northern con-
seryative masses demand that compliance
on our part shall be an ultimdtam, and an ad-
mission ofou members to Congress shall fol-
low. No one can deny that the people of the
South and of the North as mass, ardently
desire a settlement of the question which now
dismembers this Nation and promises to bring
upon us all the evils of financial embarrass-
ments. The mode of settlement may not and
undoubtedly does not much concern the mass.
When the people desire to attain an end they
are as unscrupulous, perhaps far more so, than
single individual. If sacrifice of the Con-
stitution Is demanded, to accomplish the ends
desired, let 1t go-no present evil is seen, no
inconveniences felt, and we can provide for
the future contingencies as they arise. If the
grand idea of Americansm stands in the way,
let it be upturned, annihilated, this is an age
ofprogress and nothing must Re permitted to
stand in the way of the ear of onward" In
tie people are led And can such reasoning
be practically and eiiectually resisted? We
know not how time, alone can answer. Ills
tory teaches us, with what terrible lessons
she comes to yindicate the violation of princi-
pie. The laws ofhealth are simple, but they
are fundamentals violation ofthcm in youth
may not be felt but age comes on-time
breaths his icy breath upon the apparently
vigorous forms and swift decay seizes upon
the seeds sown by early error and quick de-
velopement hurries the victim to the tomb
SO tits, with the violation of the principles of
Government We feel it not at the time. Our
posteritv will groan under it and shower bit
ter curses on the graves OF an ancestry who
lived, selfishly for themselves and following
heedlessly the Golden god, left heritage of
political woe for those to come after them
Finding however, that we can not successful
one resource left from which some consolation
may be drawn. After we have stumbled
blindly through the ruins of principle to the
end we seek, we may turn our steps and re-
build the broken temple. Having violated
the sanctuary we may still preserve the "ark. ;
We must first build up a power by securing
the good wishes of the deluded, honest men o.
the North. If we can secure their efforts il
our favor we may then succeed in tearing
loose the death gripe with which the Radical
hyenas are holding the throat of the Republic
The crazy fanatics who are now in power 81
upon two sided throne-the golden side to-
wards the people of the North, the other. tn,
less comely, towards the people of the South
Could we only persuade them to cease wrang
ling and look at these miscreants from on
side, twould not be long before they woull
join us in hurting the unworthy fellows from
their high places. To do this we must have
voice In the halls ofCongress and an accept
ance of the terms of the bill, will, perhaps
force the enemies of our country to admit us
All who feel that they can consistently Reg
lister, must Of course come forward and aid il
recognizing the State. There arc no doub
very urgent reasons why we should comply
2 with the requirements Of the Military.