The true Democrat., 1856-02-26
The DiHcultY-Agaiu.


 -s~>>s-
 The Difdculty-Again.
 Last week, when we gave Robert Johnson's statement of the difficulty between himself and Joseph Stillwel, esq, we hoped the matter would be dropped But MT. Stllwell is before the public in letter, in the last Gazette, which we propose to examine moment, before dis missing the subject forever.
 MT. Stillwcll prefaces his statement with the remark that the difficulty being a personal matter, As never should have made it a matter of newspaper notoriety." This is true doubt less. MT. Stillwell has cause to regret its newspaper notoriety." The public mind hav- ing been impressed favorably to himself and injurously to Robert Johnson, by the wGe cir culation of false reports, to give the matter newspaper notoriety, unless he desired to do part, tue height of folly.
 What StIlwell says about the key of the sheriff's office Nay all be true. As it is of no importance, we shall pass it by. Other things that he says are of but little importance either the main point is what he omits to say His omissions are admissions, which at once place Johnson in the whole affair upon the highest grounds. Stllwell expressly declines to make statement of what occurred after his entrance with Johnson into the room, and the locking of the door. What occurred in the room is the glst of the whole matter, and we are surprised at MT. Stllwelis declining to make statement about it. The reports in circulation, and even the more guarded letter of Stillwell, attempt to create the impression that Johnson sought an advantage over him. The question naturally arises, did Johnson seek an advantage? What occurred after the locking of the door alone can solve such question. Was Johnson armed and Stillwell not, and did Johnson use Lis wea- pons upon an unarmed man, in close room? Johnson says that he laid his arms Ca pistol and knife) on table at the far side of the room, as soon as the impression was made upon his mind that Stillwell had TO weapons. And he further says" SillaoeN himself aoiN not deny Aat / took of and put a,oay al arms" and Mr. Stillwell, in his letter, has not denied t. It then stands as admitted, that Johnson disarmed himself promptly y-seeking no advantage and scorning to take any. If we are to believe Mir. Stillwell's statement, that the pistol he drew and flourish. ed, outside of the door, was handed to him af- ter they were parted, he and Johnson, in point of arms, were equal-both being unarmed.- Now, how did it stand in regard to personal strength? Stilwell said, it is true, that he had been "unwcll the previous night and felt very weak,'' but he is a stout man, young and ac- tive, while Robt Johnson had but few days before risen from sick bed, where he had been confined for nearly two months, so prostrated that several times his life was despaired off, He was consequently very weak. In point of personal strength then the advantage was all upon the side of Stillwell, and it was gi- ven to him by the voluntary disarming of him. self by Rob't Johnson.
 All this shows beyond doubt, that the con- duct of Johnson was not what 1t has been represented, but, on the contrary, was mag unanimous to degree amounting almost to madness to one who had deeply and wan tonly injured him. The disarming himself, in a close room, in the presence of an ene- my Of superior personal strength was an act of magnanimity such as is seldom record ed of any man. Instead of seeking an advan- tagc, as he is sedulously represented to have done, by disarmins himself, he gave every ad- vantage to Stillwell. They then clinched, Stillwell hollowed "some body come here," the noise was heard outside, the door was forced and they were separated. Thus it ended-- Stillwell says that at the moment of the part ing, his hand was cut with "a knife or some other sharp instrument" but he does not inn pute it to ohnson. When the door was forced open, Johnson's knife and pistol were lying upon the table where he had placed them be- fore he clinched Stlwell.
 Afterwards, Stllwell says, he proceeded about the streets to denounce Johnson, but ad- mitS Johnson was not present and did not hear his denuncations. Of course, in that case, he had an easy time of it. Johnson remained in town until.nearly night when, after requesting Gov. Roane to receive all messages, challenges, etc., for him, and to say that he would be up in the morning to carry it further if desirable he went home. He was in town the next morn- ing, and remained, going about the streets about his business, until he was informed by authority, that there would be no farther diffi- culty. 50 far from avoiding meeting with Stillwell, he thus returned to the Bluff and re- mained until the ebultion of anger against him had entirely spent itself.
 We will allude 10 one more item that MT. Stillwell has "pretermitted' in his letter-the provocation. On Monday and Tuesday there was democratic meeting in Pine Bluff. Rob't Johnson attended both days, but being unwell, did not speak or participate in the proceedings moro than as spectator. His conduct therefore gave no cause for censure to any man. On Wednesday night the Know Nothings had meeting at which MT. Stillwell spoke. In his speech, he travelled out of his way, without any provocation, to assal Robt Johnson and ourself with the most offensive personalities His attack was wanton and unjustiabe. The difficulty followed as matter of course.
 As we have already said, the True Democrat is drawn into this statement as matter of duty Robt. Johnson is absent in the service of the State, reports injurious to his reputation have been put in circulation, and the silence of the True Democrat instanced as proof cf Meir truth Our duty was plain and we are not one to shrink from its discharge. It was our duty to submit the facts, and we have done so. Now let the public judge.
 From the Batesville Standard.
 Postal Matters.
 MR. EDIroR:-Please publish the within for the information of the public.
 will get the Tact of Congress for it during this session; but as all these acts are thrown in