Des Arc Weekly Citizen

Arms and Threats.—We have noticed that at each one of the Radical meetings held in this town the negroes and their leaders become more defiant, threatening and menacing in their manner and language towards the whites; and we are told that on last Saturday nearly every negro from the country was armed, and that an armed company marched from one neighborhood under regular officers to the village. Our citizens are ready for any turn which this sort of demonstration would indicate. We are not at all afraid of the negroes; for in case of an emergency they would soon be disposed of. But we do not wish to see a collision, or anything akin to one, for the results might be horrible. The negroes and their dirty leaders have been granted every possible freedom in this place at their meetings; they have been treated with respect at every hand, and in no wise been interfered with, nor will they be molested so long as they conduct themselves properly. We suggest to their leaders, however, that the whites are not prepared to submit quietly to these armed political meetings. They look too menacing. The attention of General Ord is respectfully invited to this matter. He is the proper regulator.