The Arkansas banner., 1845-05-28
THE MEMPHIS PRESS.

more qualification than the renewal of per- sonal intercourse with our old friends and confreres of the Memphis Press. In their cordial welcome, we enjoyed the grateful as surance that, '.though absent," we had not been forgotten That neither time nor dis tance-nor professional emulation, which sometimes, among members of the same party, breeds bitterness-nor even the hot conflict of party opposition, had weakened or rusted the chain of personal friendship which, aioretime, united us.
 VAN PELT, the veteran, who may, justly, be styled the Patriarch of the Press in Ten nessee, we found at his post, proud, but not vain, of the late triumph of his party amino, opjbusque parafus,- gallantly mar shalling the cohorts of Democracy, and re- solved to ''do or die,' in the coming conflict -the last battle with the Wings, which comes on in August next. Thoroughly yersed in the political lore of his country, rich in experience, skillful from practice, calm, wary and sagacious, yet bold, as leader, he issues his powerful "ApPEAL," three times a week, to his party, and, with .svoice poten- tial,o rouses them up to s'deeds of noble daring" The other day, his whole office, press, types and all, were destroyed by fire. This disaster, which would have bowed the  spirit and paralysed the energies of many a man, but served to rouse him to cxertion ; and, ere the Smoudering ruins had grown cold, every thing new was procured and ill place, and the .'Appeal,o in new dress, and every way improved, was in the hand of every reader. We mention this, in evidence ol his energy and devotion. If the Demo- cracy of Tennessee will listen to his voice, and follow his lead, as we are sure they will, they have nothing to fear. So much for him, as an Editor. As man, he IS frank and warm hearted; possessing, in an eminent de- gree, all those qualities which commend him as member of society, and endear him as irend With sternness of principle, and an honest earnestress in maintaining it, which, not unfrequently, imparts an air almost of herceness to hls manner, he yet has heart full to overflowiKg, of '.the milk of human kindness gentleness of temper, refine ment of taste, resources in poetry and polite l literature, and an eXhaustless fountain of the richest and raciest humor, which throw a charm over social intercourse, and render him delightful companion.
 | McMAHoN, of the ''Enquirer,n was. also. there, with his high warm heart, and manly grasp, to welcome an old friend, between him and whom, however wide the political difference, or however hot the party strife, there has ever subsisted kind appreciation of each others motives, and a cordial per- sonal friendship. For many year, through calm and storm, through evil and good re- port, he has stood by the cause of TVhieqerp. and welded, in her behalf, a powerful and polished pen. To him, we doubt not the cause is hallowed one. He honestly re- gards 1t as the cause of his country and. so regarding 1t, has sacrificed upon it's altar many of the best years of his life. Differ ing with him, in opinion, upon this subject, widely as we do, we yet accord to what we know to be the honesty of his purpose, and the fervor of his devotion, the tr,est admira- ton and respect. Fidelity, per SC, and aside from the character of the altar to which 1t binds the .votary, is a virtue of the highest value. While, therefore, we are among the foremost, and most earnest, in eondemnino the doctrines of Whggery, we are equally ready and earnest with our respect for those who, honestly entertaining those doctrines, zealously devote themselves to maintaining them. And the measure of our respect for opponents, is the power, coupled with the manlincss, with which they defend them selves and attack their adversares. By this measure, McAIahon attains an enviable posi- ton. Few there arc, who have struck more. and harder blows, for Whiggerv, than have been dealt by him. Many is the Democrat ourselves among the number-who have reeled and staggered under his stalwart arm. and would have fallen, but that. like the youthful David, we were doubly armed in the righteousness of our cause More than five years have passed, ''since we were frs acquaint,n part of which we were opposing editors in the same town, during one of the 6ercest party conflicts ever waged ill Ten nessee. It is among our most pleasant re. trospectlons, that, in all the time, nought save an infrequent feecy speek of cloud rapid in its transit, and leaving the skies more bright than before, has ever interrupted oul intercourse, or mitigated the warmth of oul mutual good will.
 Long may Memphis, our beloved olt home, rejoice in the possession of two Editor. such as Van Pelt, and McMahon, SO read, and able to do her good service-Long max the Editorial profession be .honored with twe e., ,l ta ,ts ,,,,.