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held at Little Rock, X. T., on Saturday,

 the 18th inst. for the purpose of consi-

 dering the expediency of bringing Arkan-

 sas into the Union, at the earliest possi-

 ble day.

 .Efr. Chairman

 If I understand the object and constitu- ted order of this meeting, every citizen of this community, however humble, has an eqnal right.for his voice to be heard on this floor. Upon this assumption, 1 trust no one can consider me transcending my rights, or perhaps-my duty. As we have met for much more important purpose, 1 shall not make 1t a point to enquire whether the gentleman, Mir. .M...., who preceded me, to use his own language, has "shdued' this community, or whether some others have s.Shaued Uncle Sans." The gentlemen shauing ond shoved, can settle that among themselves. We have assembled to con- suit upon the policy and propriety of taking the most speedy steps for the admission of Arkansas into the Union on an equal foot ing with the original States of the North American Confederacy. To those who have known me long, 1t IS useless for me now to say that am decidedly in favor of State Government: for the last four years of my life have advocated the measure publicly and sincerely, not only as theory but as permanent good. My opinion was then and still is based upon observation on the practical operation of the Territorial Government compared with the more per- manent institutions Of the States, as well as ali early lmbibed admiration of free in- sttutions and epublican'equality among all free citizens. For that length of time, was found in the minority :--sNotv, where every thing IS indicative of a majority of my countrymen having espoused the cause for which 1 have heretofore contended, none, Ipresume could suppose, although the charge has been made against others, that l would abandon my post and fight under different colors. If there is inconsistency among US, let him explain to whom the term would appy-'Tis not mine to-veer with every change of the breeze, or to yield my fixed principles because others adopt them. The Press of the country, MT. Chairman, has informed me that there are still those who are opposed to this mea- sure. had expected that some gentleman would to-day oppose it, and have for some time awaited a reply to those who have preceded me. No one has yet raised his voice against 1t. Among the numerous objections made to the measure, the one which seems most calculated to operate up- on the prejudices of the people, and the one which Is most held up, ID tefror, by the newspaper correspondents, is, that our tar- es ,otH become oY5epons and burdensome up- on us--that we are too weaje--too poor-- and in every respect tumble to sustain a State Government. Twill the intelligent, the high-nladed, the patriotic, for mo- ment admit that these are considerations, if true, which should deter freemen from the just exercise of their rights Will they, for moment, admit that they 0fe true? I trust, that, under the present Aourishine prospects of this country, we have hot so far degenerated from the spirit of our ancestors, as to concede point so disparaglng to us as men. 1 trust that Ar kansas, 50 we'll calculated in every other respect to make a rich and fodrishnq State, will not be found wanting m the prin- cipal ingredient--the intellect, the indepen- dence, and the energy, to place her in the rank destined for her by nature. trust that she contains. according to number, as much intelligence, as much chiValry, and as much love of freedom, as any portion of that land redeemed by the blood of our fathers in the War of Independence. And that in order to exercise the glorious privi- lege of equal rights and equal laws, hand ed doWE to us from '76, that the sons oi ;freemen--that treenen themselves--wi G.ot pause to calculate the paltry--the sor- sdid amount of doltars and cents, that it may cost them Ii is true, Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, in the event of our forming a State constitution, we will have to sus. rtain our own government principally by oul own means; and it is equally true that we are amply able to do it. By the increase of population and wealth. induced by oul establishment of permanent institutions the subjects of taxation will be greatly in, creased. They have already, for the las

 eighteen months, been rapidly increasing

 and without parallel known to this coun. try. Why is it that such an accumulation of wealth and population has been added tC

 our Territory within that tine? it is ob eious. The movement of our Delegate 1T the Congress of 1883, presumed by th people of the States, to act under the view.

 and instructions of his constituents. con sinced them that We had resolved upon ou