ARKANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY, Volume 1 (March-Dec 1942), p. 124   THE YEAR 1856 AS VIEWED BY AN ARKANSAS WHIG   BY HORACE ADAMS, Professor of History, Arkansas A. and M. College, Monticello.     The sensational events of 1856 afford the historian ample material with which to write a brilliant account of the period. A two-months battle in Congress over the speakership, the Brooks-Summer assault, the sack of Lawrence, the massacre on the Pottawatomie, and finally the election of Buchanan provided scenes for a spectacular panorama. Demoniac diatribes, pyrotechnical oratory, marching men, and guerilla warfare produce an exciting scene. Mere contemplation of such harrowing happenings tends to heighten blood pressure. Compression of the tumultuous occurrences into a few pages of any general history creates an impression upon the reader that Americans led a hectic existence during the year 1856. However, many citizens, probably the vast majority, were largely unmoved by these historic events. At least one American, John William Brown of Camden, Arkansas, left a daily account of his life in 1856 which was almost entirely devoid of excitement. Entries dealt with local items such as the weather, family ailments, and financial difficulties. They only event of national significance which merited Brown's attention, aside from two very brief references to "Bleeding Kansas", was the presidential election. The diarist's failure to comment on the exciting occurrences during the first six months of 1856 cannot be ascribed to inarticulateness on the part of Brown. The Arkansan was, as a matter of fact, peculiarly qualified to survey the passing scene witha critical eye.           Contents  Words  Study Questions  Related Sites Next