Year: 1861



 tory of Arkansas. Yesterday the legisla. ture passed the convention bill, which we publish in another column. Momentous issues hang upon this event-issues involv- ing nothing less than the destiny of the whole State A brief review of the past, and hurried glance at the future, is all that we can allow ourselves. Six months ago and Arkansas was more closely bound to the Union, in feeling and fraternel kind ness, than any other State at the South. Her people then believed that happier aus pices would arise that the cloud, black and threatening as it was, would pass away that returning sense of justice and equity would, even at the last moment, cause the fanatics of the North to pause and retrace their suicidal steps, and filled with such a faith they never permitted themselves to entertain thought of dissolving the Union, and seeking under different banner. and in a different compact, the peace, the que tude and the security which was not al lowed them in the Union of their forefa:h- CTS. However much 8 few rash men may censure this feeling of fyeneration-this love and respect for government which was purchased by the best blood of brave hearts this attachment for a common history illustrated by noble ancestry-this oppo- sition to change and to drifting out on an unknown sea of speculation and uncertainty, if rightly considered such emotions were natural, and had their origin in the noblest impulses of the human heart. Skepticism in politics is scarcely less odious than skep- ticism in religion, and when we displayed so long an abiding faith in the conservatism and good sense of the North, we paid the highest possible compliment to our love ol justice and our appreciation of national greatness and national glory.

 But notwithstanding the strong links of memory and the warm bonds of affection which bound us to the Union, gradually the conviction has forced itself on the minds of our union-loving people, that nothing but position of firm and uncom- promising resistance is left to the South Once convinced of this, and the people ol Arkansas, fearless and patriotic as they are, will with one voice and one heart be pre- pared to meet the issue fairly and squarely, firmly and unhinchingly. The cogent To- gic of circumstances Is fast pressing con viction upon our minds. that Arkansas must be prepared to act in harmony with her sister States of the South, and the first flnits of this conyiction is the convention bill which yesterday became law. The legislature is and has been extremely con servative. Conscious of the importance of the step they were about to take, they have reflected fully on the consequences and finally yielding to the almost unani- nous wishes of the people, so far as they have given expression to their wishes, they have called a convention of the sovereign people to shape the future destiny of Ar kansas.

 In view of the fact that South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi are already out of the Union, and Louisiana and Texas about to secede, the question which will most imperatively press itself aros' che eonsfefo1atfon or thc people, the paramount issue will be, whether we shall follow in the wake of these seeding States or stand with the border States in an atti- tude of indescison and inaction? When that question is presented to the people of of Arkansas, we hope that but one response will come up from every portion of the State, and that the gallant gulph States will be sustained in their proud attitude of resistance to federal wrong and federal usur- patton. If we falter, if we betray our brothers of the South on the "perilous edge of battle," if hesitate between sub mission or resistance, we are recreant to the cause of liberty and equality, and un- worthy of the splendid civilization be, queathed to our care, and keeping by the great men who have lived before US.

 ltnow devolves on tine people of Arkan. sas to elect those who are to compose the convention. We do hope they will send up only the best, the purest and the tirmest patriots of the land-mcn of nerve, ot honesty, and of integrity-men prudent in action, but not afraid of consequences re. sulting from the performance of great pub- lie duties--men not afraid to meet any and all issues which the revolutionary times in which we live may present. We know not what day or an hour may bring forth. Perhaps in two weeks the signal fires of civil war may be blazing on thousand hills, perhaps the border States, now sleep ing securely in the embracing arms of the North and South, may be summoned to a saturnalia of blood, perhaps ere our con vention meets, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Missouri will link their des- tinies with the seeding States, and no op. tion be left us as to the course which we shall pursue. Let us then have men equal to every emergency, the best, the purest and the bravest men of the land-the dis interested patriots of the State, who will act for her best interests alone, and who will be as jealous of her honor as they are of their own. Let the people turn out and secure such men.

 Can the South Unite7

 The political troubles that beset us, natur- ally suggest two questious-wha is the best plan to extrieate ourselves? and se-