The Van Buren press., 1867-03-22
The Legislature on the status Of Arkan'

| sas.
On the 18th the following Joint Rcso
luton, were passed by both branches Of
the Legislature;
WHEREAS, the present government oI
the state OF Arkansas was duly and pro-
pcrly organized under the proclamation
of President Lincoln, of December s
1863, and has been peaccably acquiesced
in by all the people, and has remained
and is now in full force and operation
over all parts of the state in all its de
partmcnts, whereby life, liberty, and pro
perty are fully and amply protected in tho
persons 0fall its inhabitants and rhereds
the present government Of the state has
accepted the amendment 10 the constitu
tion of the United States, providing foi
the abolition ofslavcry, and has conform
ed its laws thereto in all respects; and
,shereds, the same is in conformity with
the constitution. laws and treaties Of the
United States, and has heretofore been
recognized in various ways by the differ.
ent departments of the general govern,
ment; and whereas, the great majority OF
the people ofthis state are satisfied there
with and desire no change, and the con
stitution Of the state provides for the
mode of its own amendment, and no law
has been passed calling convention for
its alteration and wkereas, unauthorized
assemblies of any portion of the people
for the purpose of changing the same,
will inevitably lead to discord and con
fusion, to the manifest disturbance ofthe
public peace and prosperity; therefore,
to the end that the true position Of the
state Of Arkansas may be well defined and
understood, and her people warned
against any course Of action which may
be subyersive of the present condition of
internal harmony, good order and Sc
curity.
BE il resolyea jy tie general assembly Of
tie state Of Arkansos, That the existing
government fthe state is hereby declared
to be republican in form, in conformity
with the constitution, and constitutional
laws and treaties Of the United States,
and as such, is the true and proper gov
ernment Of the state-and Of right ought
to be recognized as 4 member of the fed
eral union-and entitled to its due repre-.
sentation in the Senate and House of
Representatives Of the United States, with
all the rights and privileges of other
states.
BE Hf'Ttter resolesa, That the present
government of the state cannot be pro
perly changed, save in the manner pointed
out in its own constitution, or by q con
vention called under authority of law.
BE Il yWther resoiyca, That all unau.
thorized efforts ofportions Of the citizens
voluntarily assembled for the purpose OF
changing the constitution and form OF
government tend to anarchy, civil strife
and the subversion of all law and order
and it is the duty of all good citizens to
discourage, and by all legitimate means
oppose such efforts
BE atartier reSolecd, That in opposi.
ton to such attempts, the state of Arkan.
sas, relies upon the constitutional duty
of the government Of the United States
in all its departmentS-legislative, judi
cial, and eXecutivc--to guarantee unto
the state republican form Of govern
ment, and protection against domestic
violence.
BE Rtarber re,olVed, That our United
States senator's be instructed, and oul
representatives in Congress be requested
to lay these resolutions before the Presi
dent and Congress Of the United States
and that copy be sent to each of the
governors of the several states of the
Union, with the request that the same be
presented to their several legislatures.
BE HJNrther resolved, That each copy
of these resolutions to be laid before
Congress and the President, or to be
transmitted to the several states, be sign
ed by tho speaker Of the House Of Rep.
reseutatives and the President Of the
Senate