The Arkansas Banner

"THE IRISH EMIGRANTS."

We invited a friend, to contribute during our absence to the Banner editorially, and in compliance with the request two articles were published upon the subject which heads this. The first was intended to correct any erroneous impression which might be made abroad from the fact that the Rev. Mr. Hore, had with his party, left the State dissatisfied. The second was to disabuse the public mind in relation to the declaration so often and so publicly made that the means of education in Arkansas were restricted and neglected, especially in the higher branches. We see nothing to object to in this. They seem to us plain matters of fact; yet the expression of these sentiments, have called forth an immense amount of indignation, and a writer in the Gazette and Democrat, over the signature of "Justice," makes them the cause of an attack upon the Bishop and Priests of the Catholic church at this place.

We have been raised and baptized a protestant, but no sectarian influence can blind us to the fact that talents, energy, and means have been expended by the Catholics to promote the welfare of our State by inducing emigration and affording education, while they have been busily employed the writer of "Justice" presents the following commentary upon the charity of the citizens of Little Rock, and the reception which emigrants may expect at this place.

"Out of the number of the Irish emigrants who remained after Hore and his crowd fled in dismay and almost despair, seventeen or eighteen sleep quietly beneath the red clods of the Roman Catholic burial ground, a number are now groaning under the tortures of disease in various hovels about the City, some convalescents are walking shadows; and few, very few, are able to do a day's labor-

When these poor emigrants were crowded in the old Church, withered leaves their bed, ragged garments their covering, and the winter sunlight as it streamed through the shattered windows, the only fire to warm them, death itself entering almost every pew, &c."

We know it is not whig policy to invite emigrants to the country, and especially Irish emigrants and Catholics, but we cannot silently see the inhabitants of Little Rock thus represented, and leave unnoticed any effort to retard emigration to the State.