36 



ARKANSAS. 



Although there was no general election in 

 the State this year, considerable activity was 

 displayed by the political parties, especially by 

 the Democrats, in organizing their forces for 

 the campaign in 1872. On the 23d of March 

 the Democratic and Conservative members of 

 the Legislature held a meeting arid appointed 

 a State Central Committee, and a separate 

 committee for each of the three congressional 

 districts, and issued an address to the people 

 of the State. The opening paragraph of the 

 address was as follows : " In view of the dan- 

 gerous and alarming condition of our public 

 affairs, and the pressing necessity realized by 

 all good and patriotic citizens for a combined 

 and organized effort on the part of the con- 

 servative elements to rescue the country from 

 threatened and impending ruin and destruc- 

 tion, we, the Democratic and Conservative 

 members of the General Assembly, have deemed 

 it advisable, in the absence of any existing 

 State organization, to inaugurate a movement 

 looking to a speedy and thorough organization 

 of the party, to prepare for the great campaign 

 and battle of 1872." It then recites the his- 

 tory and effects of what it calls the " pernicious 

 system of radical misrule," and calls upon the 

 people to organize a strong opposition to it. 



The question of holding a general convention 

 was a good deal canvassed in the public prints, 

 but the State Central Committee, at a meeting 

 held on the 10th of July, decided that it would 

 not be expedient to hold one before the call 

 was issued for a National Democratic Conven- 

 tion. The committee adopted resolutions at 

 the same meeting, commending the platform 

 of the Democracy of Ohio as a model, and 

 calling upon the people "to give the most lib- 

 eral support to the different Democratic and 

 Conservative organs in the State, to the end 

 that the freest information may be diffused 

 among the people, and our party papers, not- 

 withstanding the proscriptive legislation which 

 debars them from all official patronage, be en- 

 abled to continue a vigorous warfare against 

 radicalism." 



The following was also adopted : 



Resolved, That this convention of the Democratic- 

 Conservative Central and District Committees of the 

 State, representing the Democratic and Conservative 

 masses of Arkansas, are opposed to all secret politi- 

 cal organizations, as being destructive to the best in- 

 terests of society ; that we recommend to the people 

 of Arkansas^ most careful consideration and protec- 

 tion of the rights of all citizens, irrespective of race, 

 color, or previous condition, but that, while conced- 

 ing all lawful rights to those opposed to us in poli- 

 tics, we shall most earnestly demand and contend for 

 our own rights by all lawful and legitimate means 

 within our reach. 



An address to the people of the State was 

 prepared, and afterward published, arraigning 

 the action of the Republican party in the State, 

 and setting forth a plan for a complete organi- 

 zation of the opposition in every county. The 

 address concluded with the following appeal : 



In conclusion, we would admonish and exhort our 

 friends all over the State to be not only zealous in all 



good works, but wise, prudent, and discreet in all 

 their acts and conduct. The wrongs and oppressions 

 of this reckless, extravagant, and corrupt radical ad- 

 ministration are fel tequally and alike by all, whether 

 they be white or black, Democratic or Eepublican, 

 We must try to commend the justice of our cause 

 and the claims of our party to the favorable consid- 

 eration of every man who desires a just, honest, and 

 economical government ; and cordially invite the 

 cooperation of all, without regard to past political 

 affinities or party affiliations, who are willing to unit 

 with us on the broad platform of equal rights, equal 

 protection, and a due regard for the best interests of 

 all the people. Let us try and demonstrate to the col- 

 ored men that we are not inimical, either to their 

 rights or their interests that we desire to protect 

 them, as well as ourselves, against the enormities of 

 a rapacious government and a corrupt party ; that 

 we neither intend nor desire to deprive them of any 

 of the political rights now secured to them by the 

 laws of the land that we could not force them back 

 into slavery if we would, nor deprive them of the 

 right to vote if we could. It is true, that we cannot 

 expect to gain the votes of many colored men^what- 

 ever we may do or say, but, by pursuing this just 

 and magnanimous course, we will win to our support 

 many moderate and conservative white republicans, 

 and especially those of the old native Union element 

 of the State, who are even now ready and waiting to 

 fall into our ranks and tight under our banners, as 

 soon as we proclaim, in good faith, our acceptance 

 of the accomplished facts of the war, which are ^the 

 destruction of slavery, the perpetuity of the Union, 

 and the equality of all men before the law. But, 

 above all things, let us be united among ourselves. 

 " A house divided against itself cannot stand." Let 

 us preserve peace and harmony, and let fraternal 

 good-will reign in our own camp and in our own 

 ranks. Let no personal bickerings, no factious feuds, 

 no envyings or jealousies, mar the harmony of our 

 private, social, and political relations, but let us be 

 one in spirit, one in fellowship, one in faith, and 

 know no rivalries amon<j ourselves but that noble 

 rivalry, or rather emulation, of who can best work 

 ard best agree. 



Mass-meetings and conventions were subse- 

 quently held in all the counties, to effect an 

 organization of the Democratic forces, in ac- 

 cordance with the plan of the State Committee. 

 The sentiments of the address above quoted 

 were very generally indorsed, and the people 

 pledged themselves in advance to support the 

 platform and candidates of the National Demo- 

 cratic Convention. 



The Republican party was already fully or- 

 ganized, but mass-meetings were held in sev- 

 eral counties. The prevailing sentiments at 

 these assemblies are set forth in the follow- 

 ing platform, adopted in Bradley County : 



Resolved, 1. That, recognizing the great and noble 

 achievements of the Eepublican party during the last 

 ten years, whereby our country has been saved from 

 anarchy and ruin, the rebellion has been crushed, 

 four millions of slaves made freemen, and endowed 

 with the rights of citizens, civil government estab- 

 lished over one-half the nation, the rights of citizens 

 everywhere enforced, the national credit and honor 

 maintained at home and abroad, and peace and pros- 

 perity brought to every door, we feel a pride in the 

 record of oiir party, and hereby renew our pledge of 

 fealty and devotion to it in the future. 



the noble Republicans who stood by him for the vin- 

 dication and honest execution of the laws of the land 



