Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-05-18

I OF ATkdIEaS Wl4tu - StdICtIA one
hundred miles from the mouth Of lhe
Arkansas river. The progress Of the
colony for many years was slow. 1t
has been scarcely 40 years since the
tide of emigration from the Atlantic
states began to flow in this direction.
From that time until the year 1861
Ark. grew rapidly in population,
wealth and power. 1t is useless for me
10 state what part she took in the great
war between the States. Her name Is
dear to every Southern heart, and her
sons sleep upon every battle ground
from the Potomac to the Rio Grande.
When the war was over like her sister
states she found her commerce destroy
ed, her homes desolate and her people
disheartened and demoralized. But
under the wisdom Of the executive Of
the nation, she was permitted to
reOrganiZe her government, and for
a time it was hoped that peace and
prosperity would soon return and Ar
kansas once more occupy a prominent
place in the cluster of states. But
these hopes were aroused only to be
olighted Reconstruction, the crown
ing injury of the 18th century with
destruction inscribed upon its hideOus
front swept down and over the South,
leaving nothing untouched sacred to
Southern heats. Arkansas was plac-
ed under a military dictatiOn, and i'm
Nov. 1865 an election was held for the
purpose of electing delegates to a
constitutional convention. Previous
TO this a registration Of voters was held
by registrars appointed by the Com
mandiEg Officer, and only those
suitable to said Registrars were allowed
to registar. The judges of election
were appoited by the registrars, and
only those suitable to said judes were
allowed to vote, thereby securing the
election, with few exceptions of the
most unprincipled and desperate ad-
VcHturers ever assembled upon the
American continent, prominent
amongst whom was one Joseph
Brooks. The cOnN ention assembled
and brOuht forth an instrument which
they called Republican Constitution,
but which was simply an instrument
intended to deprive the people Of 'he
State, Of any voice in the affairs Of
their government, and to create; es-
tablish, and porpetuate, a system Of
plunder unparalleled in the annals Of
of time. Another election was held,
and this instrument Of fraud, cOrTup-
ton and perjury, was forced upon
the people-uEder which one Powell
CLAYTON was elected Governor. No
more suitable person to do the dirty
work of a dirty ring, could have been
elected. Skilled in all the arts of his
father, the Deyi!-the machinery of
which he was appointed engineer, un-
der his mastery hand, began to move
and grind, and soon became a fruit
ful source beyond the widest cXpecta-
ti0ls Of its founders. Ia those days,
Ark. was an Eden for thieves-a re-
ward was offered for their service.
The history Of the base trickery that
was rcsorted to, 10 retain power, would
be a page fit for the study of devils
and would form an excellent stan ard
for Tcriidy. What the people suffered
and endured can hardly be eXprcssed5
In 1872, Elisha Baxter was the
Radical candidate for Governor, and
Joseph Brooks whose ambition had
not been gratitied in the radical camp,
came ever. made fair promises. aud
received the nomination of the Liber-
als. che Democracy catching at ev-
cry straw, supported him, but TO 40
maiority of votes Baxter was declared
elected aud inanguratcd hy the assist
aHce OF L. :. soldiers. Then again
terrible gloom settled down over tie !
State, and the people almost give up
in despair. But contrary to all eXpeC- |
tatious. Baxter proved Il blessing ia |
disguise II was soon apparent that |
he was leaning 10 the people, then the |
4 T., !, -faF
rush. Then those who had supported |
him and counted him in by fraud, be-
gan TO deuOunce him as traitor, and |
swear that he was not elected
the influence Of Baxter a |
constitutional amendment was pro- |
posed and adopted. emfranchis;ng the |
people. This was the last nail driven |
in the coffin of Radicalism. The |
Legislature being obnoxious, Baxter |
appointed a majority of them to office, |
which they un wittily accepted. Then |
an electiOL to fill vacancies, was or |
dered, and for the first time in eight |
years, q respectable body of men were |
elected, an extra session was called, |
and then the work began in earnest
Measures were adopted providing a
convention, which were |
adopted by the peO-
pie, Delegates were elected, assem-
bled and formed = constitution, which
was ratified 10y over $4,000 majority
here, the thieves carried
their cause to Washington, and APP
pealed to those who heretofore had al
ways yielded assistance, But nigh
ty revolution had passed over this
great country, the cry of Rebels, Ku
KluX, BaGditti, DC, had lost its charm
once more and forever they were de-
feated. overw helmed. and consigned to
eternal oblivion. And Ark, is free
again. Great God the night has been
long, but the sun shines all the brigh
ter
Now Mr.. Editor, l have given yOu
only a synopsis of the political histo-
~ Ot the State, it would take volumes
to contain it all. Perhaps at some
other time | will give some informa-
ton as to the agricultural and mineral
resources Of the State. Oh how l
would like to step over and see you
lnd all the friends. A true Nirginian
never fOrgets his home, kindred or
friends. The soil of Va. Is sacred to
hem aud the history of her people,
to which they point with
bride. But more anon.
A VIRGINIA Boy.