Letter, Thomas S. Drew to Jesse Turner
Object number1999.059.03
DateMarch 21, 1861
OriginClarksville, Arkansas
Mediumpaper and ink
DimensionsOverall: 8 x 13 1/2 in. (20.3 x 34.3 cm)
Credit LineOld State House Museum collection
Terms
Jesse Turner was a lawyer and politician from Van Buren, Arkansas and initially voted against secession during the Secession Convention in Little Rock. After the war, he served as a state senator. He was born in North Carolina in 1805 and died in Van Buren in 1894.
Clarksville Arkansas
March 21, 1861
Dear Sir,
The determination manifested by Abe Lincoln in his inaugural has been disseminated and has beyond question caused some considerable change in the public mind. The people as far as I have been able to judge demand that something should be done by the Convention before it adjourns.
I have denyed [sic] the right of a state constitutionally to secede; as no such power was observed by those states that finish, framed & subscribed the Constitution; nor did any state that subsequently acceeded to the compact reserve for any specific cause the right to secede, yet the Declaration of Independence, that is annually read to the people and which is supposed to embody the American doctrine of civil liberty recognizes the right of revolution for causes therein assigned. Now the question arises how are we to make the distinction between the people of the state who are privileged under the American doctrine to change their state government and the people of that same state to alter, change or abolish the general or federal government to the extent of its interest therein & connection with the general government. The act of secession on the part of the people of Arkansas in convention assembled would to all {?} be a Revolution on the part of the state considered in reference to the Union. This revolution may or may not produce a state or local revolution - provision is made in the constitution for quelling insurrections against the state government; and power is conferred on the President to arrest such insurrection with the strong arm of the Federal Government, yet no such power has been conferred on that, on any other functionary to arrest by force of arms the act of a state in seceding from the Union. Mr. Lincoln denys [sic] this right of revolution when he declines to consider the seceding states out of the Union. He says they are not legally out of the Union. I am inclined to the opinion that he had as well consider them out of the Union under the right of revolution and not attempt to enforce the federal laws in those states for so sure as he persists in his expressed determination to do so, so sure will it result in a bloody collision of the sections. I have denyed [sic] to Tom, Dick, and Harry the right to make false issues for me and force me into a false position. It is in the power of the President to make an issue and to force me to take a position; and that position was taken after a careful perusal of the President's Inaugural address. It matters naught whether I consider the causes alleged justified. The seven cotton states that have seceded to dissolve their connection with the government of the United States of America nor am I or you responsible for any evils growing out of their supposed hasty act. If coercion and bloody revolution follow, we are forced to take our part. Then the question naturally arises and we are called on to decided it now. What banner are we to arrange ourselves under? The "irrepresible conflict" banner or that which has been recently raised to guard and to protect a local institution that lies at the foundation of the local constitutions and laws, of fifteen states, our beloved state of Arkansas included; as well as that of Tennessee my native state and north carolina that gave you birth. An institution essential to our being, owing to our geographical position; and one of which we could not divest ourself, if we wished, without uprooting society - destroying the peace and harmony of a million of {?} and drenching in blood the whole of those fifteen states.
If you still have doubts as to the right or the policy of assisting in the further dismemberment of the Union, unless you can see for yourself and can convince others of the practicality of some plan for reconstruction of the government or bond of Union for the states in {?} then I hold it would be both prudent and patriotic to submit to the people a proposition to go out or to remain the old Union as their votes, often a fair canvas, should determine at the ballot box.
With an earnest desire to see you always in the right I have presumed to tax your consideration of the few points which to me at this time appeared most prominent; from the fact that I am well convinced that no man in that Convention holds greater influence than yourself. And that whatever apparent change in movement on your part that there lives not a candid man of your acquaintance that would presume to tax you with vercitility or personal interest for any alteration of your position corresponding with the rising developments of the times.
I shall be pleased to hear from you at your earliest convenience.
Your friend
Thos. S. Drew
Hon. Jesse Turner
Little Rock
Ark
Status
Not on view
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October 20, 1864
April 10, 1865
May 1, 1865
August 2, 1862