The Russellville Democrat., 1880-09-02
For the Amendment.
Editors Russcllville Democrat:

There are subjects of such supreme importance as to justify the people to take them into their own hands, and a democratic convention and legislature have thought the Fish back amendment such a subject, and hence 1t is before us and the people are now called to act upon it. They have it now in their hands and certainly without fear or favor but in the answer of good con- science should they make the bed upon which in future they have to lie. If there be thorns in it. they will perhaps make the discovery when it is too late to extract them. Some tell us the rail- road Aid and Levee bonds have already been killed by the courts, and that the Holfords will be. We'll, then, who can forbid the people to bury them quietly away in the grave. Some tell us that the courts will protect us. They may, but can they do it better than the peo- pie themselves. If it is all right for the court to slaughter these bonds, how in the name of common sense can it be all wrong for the people to do the same thing. All the opponents of the amendment look to the courts for pro- lection from these bonds, and they as- sure us that we will have It from this quarter. A bird fif. the hand IS worth two in the bush. If we can protect ourselves what do we want of protec- tion from any other source. Certainly no one can object to the state of Arkan- sas making an honest effort at self-pro- lection; and who will say that the ef- fort is a dishonest one.
 If it is a foregone conclusion that the bonds are fraudulent and will not be paid, then why not make assurance doubly sure and place our seal of con demnation upon them. In the light of such reasoning it would by hypocrit- ical not to do 1t. It would be making point to a man you wanted to stabb. Fe,low-citizens, you have it in your hands now, and it is as safe to trust your own selves now as it is courts and legislatures in the future. It is argued that your adoption of this measure now would imply want of confidence in your courts and legislature hereafter. l submit that it implies more correctly your confidence in yourselves.
 Remember that according to Senator Garland and Judge Rose the equity in these bonds, if there be any, will not be molested by your adoption of this measure. You simply alienate the bonds mentioned in the amendment and you force those who claim the equity into court or be- fore your legislature to establish it. So then fellow-citizens you are in no danger Of doing the least wrong in the premises. You lay no hand upon any ones righteous claim. You leave them all open to their proper remedy, (you do not tie their hands as they tried to tie your own.)
 Talk about repudiation. Its like & man pleading his enemys case in court, whereby his own household is robbed to enrich his enemy. Pay no attention to the man who says you are too igno- rant to decide this matter intelligibly To say that the people are too ignorant or too prejudiced to cast an intelligent vote upon this question is to islander the State in the very province where she is supreme.
 appeal to you, my countrymen, to meet teis issue squarely. Let not the bogus cry of repudiation or the scan dalous assumption of your ignorance swerye you from your purpose.