Year: 1861

my hearty cooperation 10 acKnOWledSe the independence of the Confederate States of America, would perpetrate an outrage on my constituents. They are fully enti tied to all the aid and comfort that is within our power to give them. Should we, on the other hand, by our vote here to-day, deny that recognition that is asked for by the resolution what might be the result? I would say that Abraham Lincoln is look ing on with intense anxiety at our action here to-day, and before 10 o'clock this night the telegraph will announce to him that we refuse to sympathize with the southern republic, and before to merrow's sun he will rise to carry out his settled purpose of coercing the seeding States. Then, if war ensue, and we are precipitated into san guinary conflict which may engulf this whole nation in blood, and destroy all our hopes for peace and quiet for all time to come, on whose head will this responsi bility fall? who will be the guilty agents? It will be those parties who give aid and comfort to our enemies. l say on their heads let the responsibility fall. If we stand together as one; banded together in the holy cause of defending the integrity of the rights of the southern people against any aggression whatever there will be no danger. Should we divide as 1t clearly shews itself that we are doing the cause of southern people will for the time be greatly damaged.

 l would further say, Mr. President, here I al men to the South as ever met. Armed with the power of the people to secure and protect their dearest rights They are rep resenting large portion of the people of this State; they certainly have some right, If high taxes is to ensue from the experi ment of dissolving their connection with the old Union, on them and their property this heavy burden will most likely to fall. Now, from their counties the sum of one hundred and sixty thousand dollars State tax is now raised; and the whole of taxes raised by the other counties is about eighty thousand dollars So make this point to mere show that that the secession counties at least should have some conside- ration in making up the verdict that now is to be the result of our deliberations. =

 We now propose to our Union loving friends, that we pass the ordinance of Seces- sion, with a clause that the same shall be submitted to the final action of the people that they may resume all their full powers of sovereignty at the ballot box But they are afraid of the people, and will not vote

 for the ordinance submitting the same to

 the true sovereigns in whose hands is all

 the source of organic power. Why not

 trust the people, are they ot true to the in-

 stincts of their nature, is not the whole ques- ] tion before them, Is not all their vital rights

 that immediately concern them in their

 own hands, and l am more than satisfied

 from my experience, that the people

 are the best judges of their most sacred

 rights, and I know they will not foolishly act Should the ordinance be submitted to their calm consideration, l am satisfied that they will ratify the ordinance by an overwhelming vote, and link the fortunes of the young giant Arkansas to the Con- federated States of America

 Mir. Garland, of Pulaski, rose to enquire, what will the gentleman do if the people will not ratify the ordinance.

 Mir. Floyd, resuming his remarks said: Mir. President, 1 say that l will be found still to war on the North, so long as that North is aggressive on the South. Sir, 1 will never cease to act and raise my hum- ble voice in defence of the integrity of my southern home, and the home of my south ern friends, 1 will at all times stand by my home and my freside. Arkansas is my home. l came many years ago to live and die here l owe much to the people of this State, and l love her people, they are just; generous and liberal

 Then if the State will not have a chance to secede at this time, know that she will, it will be . matter of time, and at last she will be dragged out, or when all the balance of the southern States have gone out, our fate may be that we will be kicked out, and then she will be the last to go out and vii, not have influence in any position that it may be her fortune to be placed. Shall this be our fate? l truly hope not. inn pIore the majority on this floor to let the people have the simple right to speak for themselves at the ballot box, and when