Des Arc weekly citizen., 1867-11-30
ney- The Cincinnati Times. a superl,

pess- The Cincinnati Times, superla- lively radical sheet, is publishing "II s. torical Sketch of Reconstruction" by states. The number headed Arkansas, is so truthful, that we publish it entire. It shows, as was the fact, that the "rebel element" (so-called) of her population, had no hand whatever in the adoption of the existing (wc hope this is not treason. ) constitution. The supreme court, elected by the first Legislature, in an able opin- ion, delivered by Chief Justice YoNLEy, decided the act of fdisfranchisemeut, passed before the close of the war, to be uncon- stitutional.
 ARKANSAS. at s
 Soon after the capture of Little Rock by General Davidson, in September, 1863, measures were taken towards the restora- ton of Arkansas to the Union. Public meetings were held, and very general unanimity prevailed. Comparatively few people in the northern counties indorsed secession, and now the retreat of rebel forces enabled them to declare their Union sentiments. Many deserted the rebel flag and joined the Union cause Enlistments in the Union army were so numerous that by December eight regiments were organ ized, besides thousands who had gone into companies in old regiments.
 On the 20th of January, 1864, Pres ident Lincoln issued proclamation for reorganization of state governments It directed Gen. Steele, in command at Little Rock, to call an election to be held on the 18th of March, for state officers under the old constitution, so modified as to prohibit slavery. But when he learned that con stitutional convention had assembled on the Sth, he ordered Gen. Steele to treat affairs according to his discretion. This convention framed free constitution, re- pudatcd the rebel debt, appointed provi- sional state officers, with Isaac Murphy for Governor, submitted the new constitution to a vote of the people, to be taken on the 14th of March, when state officers were to be elected These proceedings had the sanction of the commanding general. Very few rebels were at home to vote at this election, and the constitution was ratified by l2,l77 yeas to 226 nays. Mir. Mur- phy was elected Governor, with other state officers, and three members of con- gress were chosen. The legislature as- sembled on the 25th of April, and elected two U. s. senator's Forty-two out of fifty four counties were represented in their proceedings. Congress rejected the mem- bers from Arkansas, though the president recognized her government as loyal.
 The legislature met again in March, 1865, ratified unanimously the United states constitutional amendment abolish ing slavery, and disfranchised all who had aided the rebellion since April 18th, 1864. [The supreme court of the state, elected by the same legislature, pronounced this law unconstitutional.
 This government was acquiesced in throughout the territory, business revived, and taxes were as quietly collected as be- fore the war. Three members of congress who could take the oath were elected, but were not admitted to seats. The rebellion had meantime been crushed, and it was necessary to mature plan of general re- construction before admitting any members from late rebel states. Mr Johnson had in October recognized the Arkansas gov ernment, which is the same that now ex- ists.