The Arkansas banner., 1844-03-27
For Me .ArhnnSas B0nner.
ACTION! AGTIoN!l ACTION !!

 mocratic principles in theapproaching contest. The Democracy of this State has, heretofore, gained easy victories. Even in the ever me- morable campaign of l840, they came to the polls unterrifed by coon skins, cider barrels, and all the harlequin tricks of whiggery, and reatfirmed the principles of the party, by triumphant majority. It is to be feared that easy and repeated success, here as else- where, will result in a dangerous apathy. l hear of no Democratic Clubs The thou sand, and ten thousand islanders, and mis- representations, that the whig presses are daily scattering through the land, must be met and answered. And no single democratic paper can answer and explain themall. Why are not Democratic Clubs formed in each county for the public discussion of political topics,-for the appointment of speakers to meet and answer on the stump, on all proper occasions, the Whig candidates that will soon be traversing the State,-for the collec- ton of the sense of the party on measures and men in the coming campaign, and for raising fund for the circulation of the Banner, and other democratic papers and documents For want of the means of information large portion of Democrats were deceived at the last election. True, most of them have opened their eyes and seen the fraud which was practised upon them; but, without light, may they not again be blinded, and led to the support of a ticket in opposition to their prln- ciples2 Look at the artful address of the whig leaders 10 the people of this. State, i'll which the political alterations of individuals are arrayed, as the settled principles of the whole democratic party, and the votes of democrats given in obedience to instructions, are brought up against them as the expression of their individual viewsl Look at the shameless effrontery with which they put forth the thrice refuted islanders against Bu- chanan and Tappan, as to the wages of la borers and against Van Buren, as to oppo- siton to the last war, advocacy of negro sui fage and negro testimony, and opposition to pre-emption rights All such islanders and misrepresentations are to be answered as often as they are repeated. Silence under them will, by many, be construed into acquiesence in their truth and force. With whatever de- gree of contempt they may be regarded by such as have seen a refutation of them, 1t should be borne in mind that unrebutted and unexplained. the basest islanders often acquire the force of truth.
 What, but want of energy and activity in the ranks, is now encouraging men to retain the field as democratic candidates, and thus to weaken and divide us? Let the deep full voice of the Arkansas democracy be distinctly heard, and 1t is impossible that they should longer continue in their present position. Men cannot openly avow themselves the worthy advocates of political principles under circumstances which clearly show that they would as soon see those principles subverted as to fail themselves in getting into office As soon may you expect to see and hear man avow himself patriot, while openly dividing he-army to which he belongs, and delivering 1t over into the power of the ene- my, because he cannot obtain the command The manifest preference of self, to every thing else, would beget universal conto npt, for all his protestatons of principle in one case, or patriotism in the other. Of self-re- spect few men are destitute; and knowing that one of these individuals is not without that guardian of honor, feel confident, that, when the will of the party, whose creed he professes, is distinctly expressed, scorning the humiliating attitude, he will do as will become the man.
 Let the voice of the Arkansas democracy then be fully heard, and speedily. NO time ts 10 Dc lost, either in preparing to refute the islanders and misrepresentations of whig presses and whig orators, or in starting our candidates. The fresh proofs which the nominees of the late convention, for Congress and for the office of Governor, have given of their self-sacrifcing devotion to principles, have added many to the number of their l tyInl Tot f.,,.r b,yo discreditable to the nominee for the office of Governor, 1t is altogether probable that some other candidate will be selected as, at present, more available; and whoever he may be, or whatever his claims, 1t IS a matter which cannot be settled too soon, or too decidedly From present appearances, Col Smith, of Arkansas county, will be the man; and be- lieve the party could not make better se- lection, or one more likely to meet the views Of every democrat. Of age and experience, he IS cool and sagacious ill council, versed Ill the affairs of the State, well grounded in democratic principles, and ready and able to give ''the reason for the faith that is in himn All his aims are honest, and he walks up to their accomplishment without fear and with out disguise. Yet, he Is ever disposed to difluse the soothing influences of courtesy and good will through the fermentng ele- ments of party strife. His frank bearing, and easy and habtual kindness of demeanor. are the natural expressions of a heart "open as the day to all the charities of lfe.'' And should we need one whose skill, energy, and bravery are equal to all the emergencies of war, he Is, even there, Of all others in the State, emphaiically THE MAN. But qualitica- tions will avail nothing, unless called forth in due season, and in a proper voice. To Pulaski, where is established the recognised organ of the party, and as the most central we look for the pumctitm saiieRs of speedy and vigorous reaction in this dangerous as- I phyxia. There is the point towards which the sense and wishes of the party should converge, to be immediately reflected, in con eentrated force, upon every portion of the