The New York Times
May 19, 1861
The Little Rock True Democrat of May 9, relates the manner in which the secession of Arkansas was accomplished. It says:
“The Convention of the people of Arkansas met on Monday morning last, and immediately took the necessary steps to prepare an ordinance of severing the relations existing between the State of Arkansas and the other States united with her, under the compact styled the Constitution of the United States. The ordinance was prepared and reported to the Convention at three o’clock in the afternoon, and was passed immediately, with but one dissenting voice—there being sixty-nine votes in the affirmative, and one in the negative.
We were present at the passage of the ordinance of secession by the Convention, and we never witnessed a more solemn scene. Every member seemed impressed with the importance of the vote he was giving. The hall of the House of Representatives was crowded almost to suffocation. The lobby, the gallery and the floor of the chamber was full, and the vast crowd seemed excited to the very highest pitch. A profound stillness prevailed all the time, as vote after vote was taken and recorded, except occasionally when some well-known Union member would rise and preface his vote with expressions of stirring patriotic Southern sentiments, the crowd would give token of its approbation, but the announcement of the adoption of the ordinance of secession was the signal of one general acclamation that shook the building to its very foundations.”
A weight seemed suddenly to have been lifted off the hearts of all present, and manifestations of the most intense satisfaction prevailed on all sites. The people of Arkansas are united in one great Southern rights party—all past differences and discussions have been buried and forgotten, and they constitute a harmonious band of brothers, pledged to stand by the State, whatever her trials and difficulties may be.
The Convention, we understand, has determined to unite the State with the Confederate States without delay, and have passed a resolution to that effect. The State of Arkansas, with all her resources, both of men and money, stands pledged to the cause of the South, and the fate of the Confederate States will be her fate. Whatever that may be it is accepted by the people of Arkansas, with a firm assurance that the cause she has embarked in is the cause of truth and justice.”