The Van Buren press., 1871-08-08
TUESDAY, AUGUST 8 1871.
Militia

II Is rumorcd that Governor IApLEY is or
garizing the militia Throughout the State.
We see nothing of the kind going on here
There are no preteNts afforded 10y any occur
renee or the existence of any feeling, except
silent sense Of Injustice, to warrant such
move In this part of the State. Its laid down
that Injustice is but another name for diSarder.
II this kind Of disorder justiies the organiza-
tion Of militia then We hare abundant reason
here for military organization. But it is
disorder which is created of those who are to
compose and control the coyTectirs organiza-
tion. We are quiet here, bowed down beneath
our numerous burdens, and bear them with
ont murmur, and with what patience we can.
II will he very convenient for the Governor
TO call out the militia in every part of the
State a year hence, aud we are prepared for
the call, with or without prctexts Tyranny
must have It, pretexts; and, commanding the
force, force is sever ready to make the pretcxts.
1t would be strange if the Radical party
should omit to cause condition of affairs SO
essential to its existence. Born in bitter
ness and nurtured in commissions, " 1t would
die when deprived ofits native element. But
we would warn our Tyrants, that while zee
submit TO their right Of rule by force of their
might, there are certain great principles of Ma
ture in the organization of the moral world
that caR not submit. Conquest is fact often
witnessed. The Romans, having conquered
the world held it conquered, because they
could best gorera the world" Misrule, habit
ual disregard of the true objects of govern
ment, never tail to give birth to opposition
and be followed by disasters, which no in
stances are needed in these times eyeDtlul
with them, to prove. Conquest thus loses
more than it won.
We have taken an obligation as Il .citizsn of
Arkansas, and of the United States to support
the constitution and laws. We mean to take
due pride in observing it. When in opera
tion the laws ofthe Conlederacy had tempo
rary validity and legality de facto, confessed
by those who deny that it had any rightful
existence as government. Laws enacted by
those holding places of authority to enact
them are lal1S TO as. And we feel that our
oath applies to them whether they may be
popularity said to be constitutional or not,
until those holding other places Of authority,
"hoc' NNNy - 40 'h"s Ii'hNhbNN NiNli ~ ~
invalid and ofno effect. We complain oftheir
injustice and would If we could have them
amended wherein they work this injustice;
we very unhesitatingly question the regular
ity of the means by which they were procur-
ed but we mean to obey them, and TO coun-
sci the obedience OF ofothers, as long as we may
owe allegiance to the government which pro-
claims them.
We believe that such laws and amendments
have conscientious advocates living amongst
us, professed Republicans, who see in them
the attainment of one great aim, viz: the pre-
seryation of the Union, which they claim has
been endangered, and seriously believe to be
still threatened, by causes which thesc enact
ments are claimed to be intended to guard
against ard remove. The preservation of
the Union" and Ito secure the blessings of
liberty to them and their posterty,' they
deem to be the grand end of these laws and
amendments. To these men we may look with
confidence for stern disapproval of any at
tempt to divert them from such purpose and
peryert them to those only which are mer-
cenary, corrupt and selfish.
There are a great many Of these men in the
North western part of this State. between
whom and Governor Hadley and the powers
behind him. even the President himself, there
Is no stronger bond sympathy than that
which Is to be sustained by his and their faith
ful administration of the laws to this end, On
the contrary, deep feeling OF jealousy of his
aud their designs has been awakened in them
by observing that credit is withheld where
credit is due, services are disregarded and in
juries are done to those to whom he and his
hackers are indebted for all the power they
WELD and there are great many black men
In the Southern part of the State who are
ready to resist him for the same reasons. lie
and his friends had better beware in what
manner and for what purposes they are pro-
ceedng, ere they deem it eXpedient to evoke
spirit which they may not find 1t as easy to
put down AS the "Kuights of the White Ca
melia," or so little needed as the threats of a
democratic committee,
AS for us, who had no hand in conferrng
the powers, state or national, that 1t may be
thought expedient to intcrpose, we will look
on Mt the conflict, and mindful that threats
or force coming from us, will strengthen
them, let them fight battles Of their own
waging. and endeavor to avoid every addi-
tion to the griefs Of ourselves and our neigh
bors which bad men may invite by the flames
of a contest they seem to be seeking to ig-
mite. We shall yield all lawful obedience to
the constituted authorities as the best means
Of arerting the multiplication of bad laws,
and a pretext for the erection OF that de.pot-
Ism we so seriously apprehcnd; and try to
remember that we too have our duties, MS
American citizens.
tH- Col. II. Il. WTHrRs, editor aud pub
lishar Of the Ozark InhIek In the issnn of the