The true Democrat., 1856-06-03
The Origin of the Arkansas Banks.

The Origin or Cne ArkanSa9 Banks.
 The last Gazette goes into long and exceed ingly labored article to asten the responsibility of the establishment of the Arkansas banks upon Ehas ~ Con,oay, the present democratic candidate for Governor And it takes a singu- lal method, too, of sustaining the truth of its position. Instead of citing an act of Elias N. Conway, or quoting single passage from his writings, it goes on to prove that his brother. er- Gov. James s. ConWay favored the estab- lishment of banks in this State in 1886 and 1887.
 The editor of the Gazette has written great deal about trafic,ling in dead mems bones.'' Why this bringing up the name of er- Gov. Janses s. Co'r0ay, who now lies cold in the grave? Gov. James Conway, even his bit terest enemies will admit now, was one of Gods noblest creations. If he ever erred in his life, it was an error of the head, not of the heart. But why is Elias N. Conway, his youngest brother, and in 1886 very young man, to be held responsible for Gov. James Conway's opin- ions and acts? Elias Conway has been con- sistent opponent all his life to all banks, and he not only had no agency in the creation of the Arkansas Banks, but, at the time, thought the step unwise. The following quotation we make from his address to the people in 1852:
 There is another matter which will state to de- fend myself against interpretations, and vndl- cate the truth of hsaory;' therefore assert that never had anything to do with any of the banks oi St3ta ait a StOrkhOldpr director officer; nor did ever borrow dollar from any of them, and am not now and never was, indebted to any bank. Being partial to hdrd money, and not so to banks I have all my life avoided and kept entire y clear Of having any individual interest n or oii cial control, of any bank whatever
 If by bad management of the banks large debt disonors this State, feel proud to know that had agency 5n Me matter, either directly or ndi rectly."
 Such was Gov. Elias N. Conway's answerto the same accusation in 1852, when he was a candidate the first time for Governor. If the editor of the Gazette thinks to prove the con- trary, better proof will be demanded than, that Elias N. Conway had brother who was once in favor of the Arkansas banks.
 During the bank furor that swept over the State in 1886 and 1887, involving in its SUD- port the majority of both the democratic and whlg parties, Elias N Conway stood aloof He was then young and just starting in life-he could not resist the current, but he did not swim along upon it. He refused all connec- ton with the banks then created-he neither became stockhoder, accepted office in them, or borrowed money from them
 Why then this effort, after the lapse of twen- ty long years to throw upon his reputation the odium of the creation of the Arkansas banks? The gauge that covers the design i. too flimsy to deceive. The desisn is to rot him of the credit he deserves and the popular ity he has gained, by his stern and persevering and successful efforts to bring the Real Estate l Bank to settlement with the State It is to destroy the peoples confidence in him, and to beat him, that the suit now pending may be defeated.
 Let the people be alive to their true interest and Elias N. Conway will be triumphanty re- elected to finish his good work, and to wipe out the large debt that now dishonors the State