To my Old Friend
Gov. H. Flanagin
If you could fully understand and appreciate my motives, and the promptings of my heart, in addressing this short letter to you – you would at once say that I was an honest man, and worthy of a hearing from one holding the high and honorable position that you occupy. Secession with a large portion of the southern people, when first agitated and started by our distinguished leaders and politicians, excited and stimulated hundreds and thousands of our best and most worthy citizens to blindness and madness on that subject. I was carried away with the multitude under the pressure and excitement that spread through the whole southern confederacy. It was on the lips of every one male and female. This excitement under the most sanguine belief of success on the part of thousands, continued until within the last six or nine months: Since that time, serious and sober reflection has shown to us all (if divested of false pride and ambition) that we were too hasty in this matter. The indications of an all-wise and overruling providence seem to strengthen the belief - (I mention this with reverence). The question arises, how ought we as a people, or as a state, to act?
The answer on the part of the ambitious and the irresponsible with many of our distinguished military leaders would be obvious. But, my dear sir, only scan seriously in your mind, the suffering and distress in our land and country since the commencement of the war. Let your mind seriously contemplate the condition of affairs in our own state, the strength and position of the enemy – the narrow limits occupied by our own army - their strength , and c.
Connect with this idea the disaffection with the soldiery, and the gloomy prospect for subsistence on our part, the distress and disaffection throughout the length and breadth of our state, and that rapidly on the increase. I ask you as a friend, as the chief magistrate and ruler of the state – what ought to be done, and that speedily?
My position, dear governor in one sense, is an humble one, my locality is south of the Arkansas river – have been a resident in the state nearly commensurate with yourself in that particular. I have for several months been seriously contemplating this matter. My facilities for ascertaining and finding out the true sentiment and feeling of the masses throughout the southern as well as the northern part of Arkansas are better, infinitely better, no doubt that your own; and I tell you as an honest man, one that respects and holds you in the highest esteem, that the people would tomorrow, if not restrained, vote the state back into the Union by an over whelming majority. Secession is dead – the principle was wrong, although advocated by us both. I could take you to many – yea hundreds, and many of them men of prominence, in their neighborhood, who have tamed down on that question. You would be astonished could I name them. Now my dear friend, it is for you as a distinguished and talented gentleman, filling the highest station known in the state to act in this matter. You have the power, and you know how to exercise that power. You are the man to do it, and when exercised the people would rally to you, and Arkansas would ring from one end to the other with congratulation and praise. All that is wanting, is for you to open the way, and when that is accomplished you need have no fear. Eternity alone could reveal the good and happiness that would result to the people.
Many no doubt in authority, with others who have nothing to lose, would growl at, and denounce you, but the result would terminate in your favor, and the generation now living in Arks. would look up to you as their true and best friend. I had hoped and prayed often that our cause might succeed, but that hope has perished.
Let the people have a chance to act in this matter, under the advice and counsel of our own chief magistrate. Our interest thereby in a pecuniary point of view, besides in other respects, would be infinitely better that to be driven into measures by the opposing power – which will certainly follow when the restraining hand is lifted, Arks. will go back from whence she came, although badly crippled.
My estate mainly consists of that species of property (negroes) which will make it hard on me in carrying out my views and opinions. Be it so, I want to know my doom, I want peace. The true maxim is to make the best of a bad bargain. Prudence for the present enjoins secrecy as to my name, but knowing you as I do, and have long known you as a personal and good friend. If you were present with me, I would not hesitate to unfold and give you my views more fully in confidence. I know and feel assured you would not condemn, but award to me honesty of purpose. I am not a traitor to the South; by no means, but when I contemplate the suffering and horrors of this war already in our state, my heart shudders, and to picture in my mind its continuance, the very thought sickens me.
To turn it into a guerilla war, as some fear will be the case, Oh! My Lord what will be the distress and suffering all over the land! Be your opinion Governor what it may, let your skirts be clear of such a crime, and use your whole influence against it, and save life and property from the torch and the assassin, throughout every neighborhood to a greater or less extent.
Prayerfully submitted,
[Maurice Smith]
P.S.
You have my opinion and views in connection with many of your friends around me, who advocated secession as strong as yourself. You no doubt will fully understand and comprehend my ideas. I am not trying to deceive you, far from it.
I am well informed and posted as to my suggestions, and I pray you to act in this all important matter, before it will be too late. It would be the noblest act of your life to step forward, and acknowledge the great error of secession, and give the people the power to reconsider and act for themselves in this matter. Your intervention would calm the sorrows and distress of thousands of your best subjects, besides life itself in great numbers no doubt. That Texas and La. would become convinced and soon follow I have but little doubt. All will be lost to this district unless a move of this sort is started, and the sooner the better for the people.