The Van Buren press., 1871-04-04
7-7- -7-%S--
ADDRESS
OF THE
Democratic and Conservative Members Of
the General AssemJly, TO the Peo-
pie Of Arkaasas.
OF THE


pie Of Arkaasds,
FELLOW CITIZENS -
In view Of the dangerous and alarming
condition Of our public affairs, and the
pressing necessity realized by all good
and patriotic citizens for q combined and
organized effort on the part Of the con-
servative elements to rescue the country
from threatened and impending ruin and
destruction, we, the Democratic and Con
seryative members Of the General AS
sembly, have deemed it advisable, in the
absence of any existing State oryaniza-
ton, to inaugurate movement looking
to speedy and thorough organization
of the party, to prepare for the great
campaign and battle of'72,
From our own personal knowledge Of
the character, purposes and designs Of
the leaders and managers Of the Radical
party, acquired especially by the observa-
tons Of a three months experience in
this Legislature, we are perfectly well
satisfied that we have nothing to expect
at the hands Of that party, but continued
and increasing wrongs and oppression,
and no hope of salvation from their de
structive rule but in our own earnest,
determinate and persistent endeavors,
guided and directed through the only ef.
fectual channel and means Of success-a
thorough and well disciplined organiza-
ton.
The history Of the present session OF
the Legislature, and the leading political
events connected herewith, is but sick
ening and revolving record of Radical ex.
travagance and reckless disregard of the
rights and interests Of the people-of
selfish, corrupt and unprincipled bargain
Ing, scheming and intriguing for the
spoils oc public plunder, and political
power and influence.
All the hopes and expectations raised
by the fair promises OF Clayton and his
friends, before, during and since the late
elections, have melted into nothingness.
Instead Of the promised measures of re
lief, retrenchment and reform, we have
had only additional wrongs and injuries
heaped upon the overburdened shoulders
Of the people, to still more weigh down
their energies and crush their spirits.
Instead Of liberal and enlightened pol
icy of enfranchisement, only pitiful
number Of the disfranchised have been
relieved, while hundreds of our best and
most worthy fellow citizens, who humbly
sued to have their disabilities removed,
have been ignominiously denied this CON-
mon birthright and heritage Of American
freemeE. Instead of diminution Of the
public expenses and a reduction OF taxes,
they have been fcarlully increased In.
stead Of the abolition Of useless and su.
pernumerary offices, the number has been
enlarged. Instead Of cutting down the
high salaries and perquisites Of the Of
iicias of the government, and otherwise
cconomizing the public finances, new
Counties have been erected, additional
offices created. new sources Of expenses
devised and additional necessities for in
creased expenditures multiplied, for no
other purpose in Gods world but to re-
ward the faithful services of partizan
friends Of the administration, and harass
and impoverish the people. In short,
the peoples money has been wasted and
squandered with such lavish and pro-
fuse hand. by these Radical dispensers Of
royal bounty, upon such frivolous pre-
texts, and for such useless and unworthy
objects, as to force the irresistible con
clusion that they intend to stop at moth
ing short Of the utter bcggary of the pco-
pie and bankruptcy Of the State.
Against all this reckless, extravagant
and corrupt legislation for selfish and
partzan purposes, we have constantly
interposed our voice, our influence and
our votes, but to no avail. We have
been overridden and borne down by an
overwhelming Radical majority, who, to
carry out their purposes, have set at de-
fance alike the restraints of the Consti-
tuition, the obligations Of public duty the
regard due the rights and interests 0f. the
people, and even the ordinary considera-
tons Of common decency and selfrespect.
We are already begin to feel and realize
some of the ruinous effects and conse-
quences of this pernicous system Of
Radical misrule Our State credit is be-
ing seriously if not fatally impaired T;
State bonds declining in value, and grow
ing more worthless, day by day the most
of our important railroad enterprises
up; the tide of immigration set
back; our great agricultural and other
industrial interests languishing all sorts
of commercial business and pursuits
prostrated, and the general growth,
progress and prosperity Of the country
arrested and retarded.
Such is brief summary OF some Of the
fearful fruits and consequences Of Radi'
cal rule.
The necessity for change of this adj
in order to arrest this down.
ward tendency TO ruin and save the coun-
try from destruction, is felt by all. As
to the best and most practicable method
to bring about this result, is a matter that
has engaged our most serious thoughts