The Van Buren press., 1872-03-26
Prom tho North.West.

We are permitted to make the following
extracts from a personal letter to a gentle
man in Van Buren,, from one who spent a
year in Western Arkansas, but who has now
returne, 10 hi. iiuin- IN iowa II IL tiis hos
est sentiments Of honest man and whose
influence will do much to set Alright the will
fully misrcpressnted people of the South:
"Of course have been asked many ques-
tions about Arkansas, its elimate.its resources
aud the Inducements II oilers for immigrs-
tion. These queries are alway coupled " ith
others in regard to the people their charzc-
ters, customs, pecul.arities, political views
etc. There Is, as ! have told you before, a
very general anu grave Misrepresentation at
| the north. in regard TO the true political con-
diton VI Affairs al the south In saying this,
| take my knowledge OF the political situation
| in Arkansas, rs data upon which to form
| my judgment of the same subject in the other
reconstructed States. The opinion that there
! is still among the leading classes at the south
n smoudcring hope Of vet achieving the sue
cess Of the lost cause. 4 feeling OF hostility
towards the general government, and scnt-
ment Of bitterness towards all northern men.
is more or less prevalent among all ranks of
people here. This is easily accounted for.
when we consider the pains that are taken to
parade every local violation of law. and every
individual crime that is committed at the
south through the columns of the public press,
and exalt the unlawful acts of irresponsible
persons. into preconeorted plots ot dangerous.
political significance; while at the same time,
all the vilainy and corruption ofthose whose
uncomfortable misrule leads tn many OF these
so-called outra.es, Is asSiduously kept from
view. read these accounts now with feelings
very different from what once did. know
that those with whom these reports generally
for exayerating. ifthey do not lnisrepresent
the facts; and from my knowledge of their
character, ! nm satisfied they are capable OF
doing BOTH AIN confident there IL not an
honest man in the Republican party, who can
live in Arkansas one year and not agree with
Inc that the leading spirits of that Minstrel
Ring. are the most stunscrupulously dishonest
and extensively corrupt set of political vul
lures. that were ever suffered TO held posi-
tionS OF trust under any government where it
Is even pretended, thai the " i'll OF the people
shall be the law of the land. And |. who say
this. am neither an eX-rebel, IA northern cop
per-head, nor disappointed political aspir-
ant. "A northern man by birth. education
and sympathy; As republican upon every
national issue. by natural preference and par
ty fellowship. ever since / have been old
enough to take an interest in political affairs :;
and rs a volunteer soldier in the union army
during three years Of the war, can perhaps
lay as valid claims to loyalty. rs those who
share with IIadley and C,ayton in the public
plumber of the State. believe the rebellion
was gigantic wrong, aud that its overthrow
WAS righteous decree Of Providence; but
do net believe that either the ends OF Justice
or the integrity of the union is promoted, by
longer Withholding the full privileges Of citi-
zenship from any man on account of political
offences and thus sustaining in power those
political vampires, whose gluttonous blood
sucking for the lastsix years. has bankrupted
the state. am fully satisfied that every day
this restoration Of popular sovereignty is de-
ferrcd, only adds to the gall of bitterness that
these years 0fmisrue have already generated
and makes more difficult the return of that
era OF fraternal good feeling. FOR which weall
so earnestly pray. am satisfied also, that if
the rank and file Of both parties at the north,
understood the true condition ofatiairs in the
southern States. there would go up from the
length and breadth Of the land such demand
for Universal Amnesty. that our representa-.
tives at Washington, would not dare to disre-
gard its thunder tones. ! am often asked if
the people Of Arkanas are not preudiced
against northern men. and nimcal to the sue
cess of the government 70 all such question.
] can consccuiously say have never seen
any hostility manifested toward the general
government. nor any un~illingness to accept
the constitutional results of the war. among
those who can in any degree claim to repre-
sent public opinion. That have n yer seen
any prejudice against man on account ofhis
political creed or sectional nativity. and that
the northern imtmigrSnt !. as safe TO express
Arkansas as he j, IN the shadow Of Bunker
Hill Monument"