The true Democrat., 1855-12-18
Homestead, Arkmnsas County, }
 Oct. 3Oth, 1855.

Oct. 3Oth, 1855.
 Fellow -Citizens:-T Through your committee have been invited to attend mass meeting of the democratic party, to be holden in Pine Bluff on the 9th and 9th proxmo to address the people on the political questions which are agitating the public mind 1 cannot, gentle men, but feel fiattered that man of my ad- vanced age of life should thus be honored by my fellow-citizens.
 The feebleness of my health, for several months past admonishes me that however ar dent my desire to be with you on that day, it will be out of my power to comply with your request, more especially when know you will have to address you on that day. gentlemen of talent and approved ability.
 The old ship of democracy has weatherel many storm with the Star-Spangled Banner floating at the masthead. She has butfeted many strong tempest and rode trumphantlv over the pillows of contenling faction, until her principles, ' free trade and sailors rights became the "shibboleth" of republican states men the world over. On that great question, ( compromse of 1850, when the fabric of the Union was shook to the centre there stood her sons, north and south, with the immortal Clay and Webster by their side battling in the same holy cause, with the constitution for their shield, ] ton and tauaticsn lay prostrate in the dust. ! But, gentlemen, a new political heresy has sprung up amongst us, unknown n the annals | of republican governments. In government like ours, when freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and liberty of conscience is guaran- tied by the most sacred compact which the policy of man could devise, we see the baneful influence of this political hydra poisoning the l Iimpld stream of our constitutional rights the elective franchiSe--concoctng their diabolical treasons at the hour of midnight and aSsassi- hating mei women and children, in the noon of day. Such scenes as these can only find parallel ln the bloody history of the |" reign of terror" It behooves Us then, telow-ctiZens, to buckle on our armor and meet the enemy, let the sacrifice be what 1t may, even to life and | liberty. Previous to the advent of Know Nothlnglsm, the south was not cursed with riots, arson and murders. Itwas not the growth of the south, but was engendered in the north, in the hot bed of abolitonism, and was ntro- duccd into Arkansas by Capt. Pike, whose long residence iii the south has not diminished his northern proclivities When democracy and whiggery met on the political arena, they were like unto generons and valient combatants, contending open handed for victory, and that victory consisted in the triumph of a principle. No secret conclave embraced their motives no oath-bound ties to letter their will They met they fought, and victory perched on the banner of democracy. Let her motto be "wis- dom, justice and moderaton.'' Her principles -proctection to the native and adopted citizen mo prescription for religious opnon-" free trade and sailors rights" Her progressive prin- cisles, guided by wisdom and warranted by justice will moor her safely in the harbor- whilst her enemy will stand abashed, cower- ing in his dark, dismal canopy, till he, reckless and hcedl less, plunges down the cataract of de- spar. remain, gentlemen,
 Your obt serv't JAMES SMITH,
 To L. B. Luckie Read Fletcher and others, committee, Pine Bluff, Ark.