Des Arc weekly citizen., 1869-01-19
THE SITUATION.

This much used heading comes in most conveniently when we have no specific subject to write about, or, as in the present instance when we wish to treat of two or three different topics in the same article. Just now there is a paucity of newspaper subjects, espe- .cially in politics, and we doubt not if the better plan would be to use the scissors and paste more and the quill less. But then the fashion is to write 90 much, and certainly we have as little rightto neglect paying the proper court as any one of the many others around us who do so assiduously.
 In the first place, then, our own situ- ation is not so pleasant as it might otherwise be, for we have to make dil- igent search, and ramble through great space in order to find a scanty supply of interesting news matter. This is one of the trying situations that people do not take into consideration when they affirm that an editor has an easy time reading newspapers, smok- ing cigars that some one has given him (to be puffed) and writing a few articles that look ever so easy for q weeks work. By Jupiter Ammon !! but they ought to try it one time themselves. Think about going to work at A. M. and stopping at Il P. M day after day, with such announce ments continually ringing in your ears as ''snore copy" s'the coal is out" ''no original yet" "IIal is sick" and ''the devil has pied stick of type" To give you little variety as you nre at tending to these matters subscriber steps in and complains that his paper does not come regular. another tha, you do net pitch into somebody strong enough, and the next that you were rather abusive in your last, while some one who is not subscriber wants to borrow few exchanges, which of course you do not need and should gladly fold up and hand to him. We are fearful this situation will be hard for some of our readers to understand.
 In the second place, Congress is blocking out considerable work, but does not seem desirous to finish up for fear they may be too nasty. Grant still talks horse, and the party is not SO sure that he is entirely sound on that question. It is thcught no very important legislation will be had until after the 4th of March.
 Theeondition of affairs in Arkansas E not very encouraging 10 those who desire to keep the peace. We think Governor Clayton lis no better than he should be- to say the least of it. Be- ing so far removed from the seat oi general government it is almost impos- sible for the the real state of affairs to be known there for some time; and hence relief will come very tardily. Gen. Porter, Grants Aid-de-camp, who visited our State some time since, made euch report as might be ex- pected from one who went no farther than to talk with those who were car rying out their own designs. Such in- vestigations do very well when those having them made are already satisfied with the way the State is being mis- ruled.
 The southeastern portion of the State has been relieved from martial law and the militia marched to Little Rock to be paid of. Upham still reigns supreme in his district, and until 'the executive arm of the government is felt" and sufficient amount of goods, mules, horses, etc, is collected, will hardly be withdrawn. The injury already done to our State is incalcula- ole. 1t may be safely asserted that Woodruff county will not plant half the crop this year that it did last, even were the militia withdrawn tomorrow. Her mercantile interests are entirely ruined. We would like to give our readers an exact account of everything that has occurred in that county, but are not able even 10 give geneaal statement, as reports from every kind of a source are conflicting. We hope before another week is gone they will be withdrawn and sent to their homes, if they have any, which many left more for plunder than to serve in what they thought just cause.