The Daily Dispatch, Richmond, Virginia CS
Extraordinary proclamation from Governor Rector, of Arkansas.
In consequence of the Federal invasion of Arkansas, Gov. Rector has issued a long, and, in some respects, extraordinary proclamation. After alluding to the secession of the State, the Governor says:
Untoward circumstances have placed her beyond the pale of protection; much impaired, though not incapable of resistance, she will strike a blow for liberty, and continue to be free; if left to her rate she will carve a new destiny rather than be subjugated. It was for liberty she struck, and not for subordination to any created secondary power North or South. Her best friends are her natural allies nearest at home who will pulsate when she bleeds — whose utmost hope is not beyond her existence. If the arteries of the Confederate heart do not permeate beyond the east bank of the Mississippi, let Southern Missourians Arkansians, Texans and the great West know it and prepare for the future. Arkansas lost, abandoned, subjugated, is not Arkansas as she entered the Confederate Government. Nor will she remain Arkansas, a Confederate State, desolated as a wilderness. Her children, fleeing from the wrath to come, will build them a new ark and launch it on new waters, seeking a haven somewhere of equality, safety and rest. Be of good cheer, my countrymen, there is still a balm in Gilerd — the good Samaritan will be found. Strike now and ever for your homes and liberty, against all men who invade the one or dispute the other. The despotic power of the North which seeks now to crush you, contains in its own creation ripe seeds for its early destruction. * * * * * *
The God of nations has not decreed, I think, that tyrant hands shall say the progress of civil and religious liberty upon this continent. The right of the people to govern is an admitted truism. Their capacity to do so is not a fable; but ‘"the price of liberty is eternal vigilance;"’ be jealous of encroachments, mindful of your public servants. Take the constitution of your State as your political text book, and regard the defence of your homes and firesides as a duty you owe to God and humanity, and all will be well.
Correlative with these views, it is by the military board of the State of Arkansas deemed essential for the public safety, that four thousand-five hundred men be called as volunteers from the militia of the State, to be organized into companies, battalions, and regiments, as directed by the ordinances of the State Convention, to serve for twelve months in State service, unless sooner discharged. The companies not to contain less than sixty-four, not more than ninety-six men, exclusive of commissioned officers--Twenty companies of cavalry will be received, and thirty companies of infantry, with the right, on the part of the authorities, to assign one or more of the infantry companies to artillery service. Each volunteer must furnish his own gun, which will be valued and paid for by the State, or a certain amount paid for it monthly by the Government for its use, as the State may ultimately determine.
* * Men of means and leisure, although advanced in years, now have an opportunity without sacrifice, to go and fight — too old to walk they can now go on horseback. Men tilling the soil can be less conveniently spared; something must be produced to eat, either to live or to fight. I say to the gentlemen of leisure and wealth, make up this call; leaving the tiller of the soil at home to produce something for our families and the country. There are many more than the number called for here in Arkansas, who will not run a furrow this summer, nor do anything else substantially beneficial to the country. Business, in the way of trade, is measurably suspended, and money making for a time ought to be. To be rich now is impossible, for if one owned the whole State it is worth nothing until freed.--The wave of destruction has already rolled over the Northeast portion of the State, and will soon reach the South unless stayed by a rampart of Arkansas freemen. I am for defence — the military board is for defence, and, it aided by the people, the State will be redeemed.