The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-06-18


yalis and by those not better informed generally b
heved, that IL was here Jc Davis who, whom Iisuei
ant ia the army on duty at Fort Gibson also heI
on the Arkansas river became acquainted with Gensrs
Iayiors daughter. the he away with 20 marry
sword or on cs,e .he furious ana men 1n
terror 70 General Tsylors coming hers although sine
my arrival have heard from one who had the stor
rom inc GENERALS own lips, confirmation Of the wei
Known narrative touching the refusal OF the General
cognfze Jen Davis as his son-inaw until after tho lat
Ter Ter, had distinguished himself in the Mexican war
There IS my hand, Colonel Davrs"-I quote the Ian
euage attributed TO the General by my narrator-"m
aaagn'er vas much better jadgs OF men than was
ana as now soc accepted one worthy Of her,"
Fort smith as c,ty. which 1t Is BY virtue OF benl
incorporated As SUCH affords bat little material for de-
2Seo including good sprukIipg Of tho colored popu
aton. Except the main street. which is broad ant
n snd nlgnled BY the nsme OF an avenue, there
no special beauty about the place. Most of the houses
arc OLD, wooden story AFFAIRS and very sraggng
and there Is lamentabls absence Of shade trees.
goa share OF the houses built after the stockads
fashion, fact owing TO the scarcity OF pine lumber
wnicn has TO be brought from forty and Atty milo;
high price, There are some large and we'll stocked
stores but business Ia discouragnVly dull present
The leading merchants from tho North and tho only
bank IN Inc town Is under the control or Northern
showing that even here the borders OF civilization
as elsewhere the enicrprsins and rrepessbIe Yankee
with the Indians. large numbers Of whom, in
all the IMAGINABLE quaint costumes Of the diff.
ponies and beeves are their prevailing subsutes for
greenbacs but these readily accepted being capa.
bic OF speedy conversion into cash. Three weekly
newspapers-two republican and ative--are
published In the town. but struggling with small
circuations Churches abundant and fourishing
condition. and there is growing and cnooaraging in.
terest In common school education
tWhat do you think the present aspect OF political
affairs this State ?" asked gentleman stopping at
the same hotel with me- shortly after nv arrival Tho
gentleman to whom addressed the inquiry at tne
was prominent in politics Ia this State and carries yet
large influence with HIM. His age, as he afterwards
told me, exempted him from taking active part in the
rebellion. though his joined the Southern army.
"Your question" he replied, g Is difficult one to-
answer. In some respects political anArs sre
couragng. and in others ther most dsheartening
Dor Of good, sterling Union men living to-day in Ar
Kansas whose loyalty TO tho government and devotion
TO tho State will preserve 1t rvm its woss. enemes
man by Onion the conservative clement OF
the Statethe men who were called rebels at the ont
set OF the ana during the war the men whom many
call rebels vet but men than whom those loyal,
/ interpret loyalty, do not live In this couatry.
These men, as far as entitled VIII all register anc they
will all VOTE bat they viii oav vote tor conservative
men for tho coming convention"
"From what class of men,"I asked, "was they
loot their canddaesY"
army. or at least those who symrathized with it,"
''Bu. will such convention, in case you eject
ority OF your candidates. further inquired, form
such constitution as required BY Coneresss"
Certainly they will; and what is more such q con-
ventlon VIII be the one elected And Will De done
Every true Arkansan knows and fools that he has .
work to do and he win do ia work on the prompt and
right doing OF which he knows further depends the best
interests of the State and people in the fcaure. Ar
kansas wilt do the duty prescribed for her and with
Congress must rest the remaining responsibility"
ar the.State is admitted to,the Union what kind Of
mon will you send to Congress and elect 70 Ill your
State and county offcess"
eNone but Arkansas 70 rule us is chosen motto
And there need be fears Of the State under such
Sho loyal now, and she will be loyal then -
'tWhat the dshcartening features" asked s-of
thu political situation to which you reierredS"
radical Union mcn who are seeking and expect 70 get
the rcns Of power in their hands Some of these
those who were profcssedly. the bittercst OF rebels
when the war broke out and went in for hanging every
Union They clean turned about and want
hang every rebel II IL easy TO that such
have ne genuine stability Of character. They as
tickle Is the wind and unreliable. Aaoher class Of
men, and 70 deal with because powerful
coming from the North and settling hero to accom-
pish their political aims aad for other purpose Most
OF these men had character where they from,
and refugees from Justice. Thsy cry Unionlsm
up and do anything know OF mare than ono such
who has brought here prostitutes taken from Northern
A." sac . vo"S rua
rather live under military government thousand years
than be under tho rule Of such men day. would
rather be consigned 70 the lowest depths hell than be
under tho dominion such base and miserable wretches
And these udd lying to insult They North and
proclaim everywhere that they are not received into
| Southern society because they are Union men"
90" don't believe" said another gentleman with whom
60 into ~ ,s OIL tnat al tho ccnsu
cal party il Congress have cut tho matter 70 suit
nom this programme The very earliest | look for the
admission OF any States under military rule Is aste
/ tho next Presidential election"
ar there are any men I'm down on, said Still
another gentleman IN another conversation, and
though. ne looked rather sharp q me- though that may
coming down hero and writing against in the North
esn papers. There was General Blunt. He came dow,
here since the war and was well and courcousy rsate
everywhere. and he goes back and writes most out
rageously against the people OF this State felt 70
one that should liked 70 have had hold OF one end
4 \ IN m ~ I lool 4.
me assumed dsagreeably intensified look Of ponss
| meaning.
"Ifse, confident said Colonel johnson. who raise
tho hrs loyal regiment in this State, the member
TO Congress from the Third district and President Of
Union state Convention held at Little Rock, "that IN
conservative element will be In tho majority the
Ing convention but that the radicals will possess th
greater strength And here lot mo explain that
vative As used IN tins state means nothing more Or les
short OF the rebel standard OF 10y atty Many who
called radicals here would be considered
win i be- elected as il win no. Be- polite to put fort
| such candidates Every day there is growing evidenc
cn W rssn Se .os Gnon su
scarcely safe out Of the reach Of military post
apprehcnsions need be entertained now From all th
augur restoration OF harmonious relations in the {,
ture II only reconstruction working out its Iegit
mate resulta work that began with the passage OF IN
present reconstruction by Congress. II Is sa
to calculate that twothrds Of tho negro vote will
cast the Union side throughout the State
As further exhibit Of tho prevailing political sent
L
| be brief account OF my interview with MAJOR Rec.o
| 70 widely known from his long connection with u
Indians as government agent His short. robust gur
broad genial face large double chm and peculiar sty
| OF wearing his hair done up in . cue, showing him
gentleman OF the old school have not been forgotten
Wa hingon where he has figured largely In years past
and neither have been forgotten the thousand aud
anecdotes told Of him as singuiary eccentric but mo
| intelligent and sensible gentleman
sThat Is the he'll and damnation OF getting old WI
| his opening remark as i was introduced to him.
have pairs OF speclacles now and then can
| soc worth damn" And he said this he laid down
newspaper he reading and showed upon bic orepes
| his spectacles. He gave some very pleasapt fsmini
cencss OF bis past experiences among the Indians fro
his trst Coming here fortytwo year. ago reced son
lively anecdotes about GENERAL SCOTT and General Tsyo
gave humorous OF hin life at the national Car
tai, and then branched on into his views Of the
the present political situation.
"As native Of Virginia" ,. remarked, land a tr,
Southern gentleman took si!e With he South darir
the war tninf .louRh, It was fatal error accep
ing Ihe terms offered in 1853 by President Lincoln
"what Is your opinion Of Jen Davisf" asked
( HE is AZ straight as the Lords Prayer"
"How do you think reconstruction Is getting on -