Year: 1861

my old friends and patrons in the past In 1851, at the earnest instance of prominent and trusted members of the democratic party, my name was placed at the head of this paper How far that confidence in my principles, capacity and industry which led to this step has been deserved and main tained, it is not with me to determine.

 At the request and urgent solicitations of my friends from all parts of the State, l again return to my old post and resume duties that once thought had laid aside forever. Without any unqualified aspira- tions, or hope or desire of future prefer ment. thought only to retire forever from the arena of politics, wherein 1 had borne so active a part and devoted so many of the best years of my life. But the unhappy condition of public affairs, the dismember- ment of the Union, the necessity for wise councils and decisive measures in the future, towards either the reconstruction of the old government, which now seems hopeless, or the formation of a southern confederacy, which has already been proposed, have in- duced me to alter my determination and once more give my time and talents, how ever humble they my be, to the cause and service of the State.

 As 1 am democrat of the State rights school, and have always supported the southern rights side of every question, so now I shall support and advocate the cause of the southern States in their efforts to se- cure justice and equality in the Union, or a separate indepcntient confederation of their own In my opinion the time to save the present Union is past and gone forever, and in this opinion am not alone. The de- carations of all the leading men ot the South, without almost asolltary exception, express the same conviction, and while a few cling to the hope of a reconstruction of the old. more than nine-tenths look to the formation of new southern contederacy as the only remaining remedy for existing troubles. The truth should not be disguised and facts should be looked calmly in the face. The northern people have been for years past encroaching upon our rights and committing Expectations upon our pro perty, and now they have obtained the entire control of the federal government. Under these circumstances, the southern States, feeling the precariousness of their condition, have appealed to them for an acknowledgment of their rights, and their appeals have been contemptuously disre garded Even the proposition fora settle ment offered by Senator Crittenden, which coptaned the most that could be possibly yielded by the South, has been unhesita- tingly rejected, and answer returned that the North had no concessions to make.

 In consequence of this State of affairs, all hopes of the Union have been abandoned and the southern people have determined to protect themselves. South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana have already withdrawn from the Union, and resumed the powers they once surrendered to the federal gov ernmcnt. Texas will follow in few weeks unquestionably, as nine tenths of the dele gates elected to the convention are for i'm mediate secession, while North Carolina Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky and Mis- souIi have all called conventions to consider what action they will take. Such are the facts that now present themselves for our consideration. They are facts, and as such cannot be ignored or thrust aside. The 1 Union of yesterday has existence to day, and it behooves those States that have not yet acted to commence preparations at once.

 The question for the people of Arkansas to pass upon is not whether they will re- main in the Union, for there is no Union, but whether they will join the southern States in a southern contederacy or the northern States in hostile array against the southern. It is impossible for ne to doubt for one moment the choice that will be made. As for myself my choice has long since been made. 1 am for sharing the fate and destiny of the southern States, be it for veal or woe, and l doubt not such will be almost unanimously the detcrmi- nation of the gallant and chivalrous people of Arkansas.

 The space allotted to an article of this kind will not suffer me to discuss these questions more fully-they are the absorb ing questions of the day anl much of our future time and space will be devoted to them. 1t only remains to me now, in re- suming my old post, to give the assurance that do so for the cause, and not with any object of personal ambition. If l have momcntarily in my past life indulged in such dreams, it has been but momen- tarily and they have been long since freely put aside.

 am we'll aware that the path of an editor Is one of sore trial and accumulated enmity, if he discharge faithfully his duty to his principles and his party. know that some who were worthy, and many more who were merely vain, foolish, and self sufficient asphants, have expected of this paper support that it could not give with justice to the claims of others or the lighttul expectations of the public, know too that the bitter disappointment of this numerous class have been laid at my door, and l have been made to pay the penalty of their untorgiving enmity. But, so be it. l am satinfed. and l tlnst that