Des Arc weekly citizen., 1868-02-08
TuE ISSUE.

sJ. E. CltA TEN V. ol J JoIileOus
 TmE ISSUE.
 IL is evident 10 every careful observ- CT of the developments Of Rsdicalism that the main plank in their platform, .'State and national,' is and will be the disgusting doctrine of negro suffrage. One needs but to glance af the proceed. ings of the piebald convention, now in session at the capital, to sec that the "great party" CD are determined to thrust upon the people of Arkansas migger equality, even at tic expense Of every other principle that should be embodied in State constitution. So far do the carpet sack gentry go in their admiration for the poor negro that they outstrip the negro himself in their demands upon the people for the be- stowment of rights and privileges upon this neglected people. Disgusting in the extreme is the taste and doctrine Of the Brooks school of Radicals, who with but one idea would elevate the negro and degrade the white man. The purposes of the party are, however, well understood by the people of Ark alrsss: and firm, fixed determination is everywhere expressed to resist this monstrous evil and save the honor and dignity of the State. The Democratic State Convention wisely declined to make no broader issue than the one laid down by themselves. This was distinct enough, the line was sufficient ly drawn. Face to face now stands the two parties of Arkansas, the one pledged to negro suffrage with all its attending evils; the other unconfprc- misingly opposed tosthis doctrine nothing more, nothing less. It is no old party issue, but an issue that pla- ees man at once upon his principle, side by side with the Radicals of the North, or hand in hand with the white mans party of Arkansas. It is not difficult to determine that the truest and the best of the sons of Arkansas will spurn the equality party" with their new ideas and insulting doctrines and regardless of past political differ ences or prejudices, unite in harmony for the defence of right and the princi- ples taught us by our forefathers. Ne gro equality is too loathsome, even ln its mildest form, to be for moment entertained. Negro suffrage, universal suffrage, nor any other form in which the questisn may be put comforting suf- frage upon the negro, can meet with the appreciation of the thinking men of the State. We are of that party that cannot and will not tolerate -negra snf- frage in any form. We arc opposed to it now and all the time, from religion, principle and education. "The gift of suffrage is the most fatal gift that was ever bestowed upon an uncducated people, It would be well if all would understand and appreciate this truth. Il when this gift was in the hands of the comparatively wise, it was so exer- cised as to bring us to NOW, what will the end be when the unlettered negro holds 1t in his hana. Suffrage is the great pillars by which republican government is supported. It is the life blood of our political organization, a right that should be held with wis dom and exercised with prudence, How, we ask, can thinking men in all the light of the present, and with the experience of the past, for moment contemplate so great a national sin as is embodied in this negro suffrage and when it is proposed to make privileged citizens of the ignorant negro, and take the rights of citizenship from many oi the best ana wisest men of our State it is an insult 10 reason too great fol description. The Radicals will cer' tainly strain every nerve for tae ac' eomplishment of their purposes in o,u State with their present ticket, and rule or ruin for their motto, they will strive for power as drowning man for life. But they have made the issue and upon it the white mans party will meet them, and triumph as truth and right will ever do. People of Arkan- sas, the work is before us--we can do it if we will; let all be ready.
 
 The tam, on foreign cotton 2 to be taken of after next November, Il