Washington telegraph., 1850-05-08
From the Helena Shield.
A DEMOCRATIC OPINION OF MR..
JOHNSON'S ADDRESS.

Mr.. Edator:-I received this morning
the Address of r. w. johnson to the
people of Arkansas, on the subject of
sdisunion." And really settled myself
to its perusal with no small satisfaction,
trusting to derive both entertainment and
instruction from its contents. I was pre-
pared for opinions somewhat tinctured
with the spirit Of the times, yet confident
that should find his expressed calmly
and dispassionately, mOdestIy aud courte-
ousiy, no frothy declarations, no fery ap-
peals to fiery passion; but, a fair, candid
statement of facts and events untainted
by party spirit. untrammeIed by faction,
free from all approach of demagoguism,
followed by such prudent suggestions as
would have placed him before us il, the
attitude of wise and thoughtful councel-
or,-one in whom. in times of doubt and
dfficulty,th people might securely confide
The subject Of this address is one of
most serious import. Far too serious to
be discussed in The excited, nay, most in
fammatory method he has adopted; one
requiring our coolest and most deliberate
consideration. This is by no means his
course. He writes like man in furious
haste and passion, always without de-
liberation, often without thought, taking
those things for granted in which there
should be no uncertainty; when in doubt
as to statistics leaving a wide margin,
one of which amounts to the immense
sum of $2O,OOO,OO0. must say, impha-
tically, it is not the address [ anticipated
from Mr.. Johnson. 1t is Vaps&, .RansSy,
and decIamatory, wanting in prudence,
moderation, and foresight. everaowing
with bitterness against the Executive
against all who may presume to differ
with him in opinion. He should have
remembered that his constituents were
not like himself in the whirl of the vortex.
His address reminds us of an untaught
speaker who raves and screams, clearing
passion to rags" before an unmoved
audience. Does Mr.. johnson aspire to
the character of demagogue! His ad-
dress would surely sanction the question.
For he deals in vague generalilies and
pours out floods of immediate and glorious
results from dissolution of the Union.
leaPing with political agility over the
years Of doubt, anarchy, misrule. and
bloc Shed. which must follow such dis
solution. These pictures, dark and
gloomy, are thrown in the back ground.
Romantic visions of the future glory,
greatness,might, and majesty Of this our
country TEEN his brain; csrgoes OF wealth
float before his prophetic gaze; the North
he sees suppliant at our feet; the world
in competition for our custom; our rivers
magicaily cleared of snags; our roads freed
of mud; our public defences erected; and
our government carried OH "without one
cent of increased taxation"
Does he tell Of the wearisome steps to
he taken in organising new govern
ment? OF the bitter contests which would
arise among the slave States themselves!
Of the selfish and conflicting interests
to be .econciled which would be excited
and fomented by every aspiring partizan!
But, suppose with him, all difficulties
overcome and our new government Or
oaniZed, could her institutions differ from
what they are? Would her peaceful quiet
be more composed! Would her people
be more in6ustrious-more energetic!
Would her negro population increase
more rapidly? Would her capabilities
of production increase in greater ratio!
Would greater inducements be held out
to merchants, manufacturers, mechanics,
and laborers than now? What can legis-
lation do to advance or further these than
to throw around them the garb OF peace
and protection! What more perfect sys-
tenn than the present could be devised,
and in what one respect could it be chang
ed for the better? Are not our maui
facturers now competing with the Eng.
lish in foreign markets?
Carried away by the impetuosity OF his
feelings, he wildly denounces all south
eruers who would dare oppose dlssolu-
ton Of the Union, and ilr most dictatorial
style bids them move North. | have
witnessed the boldness of unblushing
effrontery, but never before did hear Of
so daring presumption. One man, and
he who has been. and will doubtless
again be a candidate for the suftrages OF
his people, so boldly to denounce the
calm opinions of thousands OF his fellow
citizens. To bid them "leave the land,
for he "thinks it would be better, and
"the people will think so too, which he
seems to assume as follows. Judging
from the production of MIR. johnson
pen, would say that if his opportunity
for acquiring Information on this subject
was good, that he made poor use OF his
means, when he wrote the incomplete
inconclusive, and unargumentatlve thlnS
he calls an address, in which he offers
himself as an oracle, the source OF OPINION
to the people of Arkansas! High ground
indeed does he take who thus freely oe-
nonnces the opinions of others. One so
wanting in courtesy and respect tor tne
rights of others, he and only he coulo
consistently say, II do not care who hke
or dislike my opinions.