Freeman's champion., 1857-08-13
Gu ubernatorial Candidates
"Pitching In"

ernor in Miss Ouri this season was
spirited affair. The election occur
red on the Sd inst, but as yet we
have been unable to obtain the re-
suit. The candidates were Major
James S. Rollins and Col. Robert
M. Stewart. Rollins was the candi-
date of the American and Benton
parties, and Stewart the candidate Of
the notification Democrats. In Mis-
souri, it is the custom-and q very
good one it is, too-for contending
candidates for office, to stump the
country in company, and address the
same crowds; but it sometimes hap
pens, as the following instance will
illustrate, that during these discus
sions, some pretty "striking argu-
ments" are employed.
On the Oath ult., Major Rollins
and Col. Stewart addressed the peo-
pie of Gallatin, and on the close of
the discussion, o circumstance occur
red to give life and animation to the
dry occasion, and also to exhibit the
valor and characteristics of Western
politicians. The particulars we find
in the Gallatin San of the 24th ult.
The gentlemen whose names are sign
ed at the bottom are men of the first
respectability, and were eye-wit-
nesses:
1.-THE undersigned citizens of Da-
vieSs County, state that we were pres
ent at Gallatin on the Oath inst, and
listened to the political discussion
between Major Rollins and Colonel
Stewart, the candidates for Governor.
Major Rollins opened the debate in a
speech of one hour and a half in
length throughout his speech he was
respectful in his bearing to his COM
petitor, and said nothing which could
be construed as personally offensive
to Col. Stewart.
"After he concluded, Col. Stewart
replied in q speech two hours long.
In the course Of his remarks, he dealt
q good deal in personalities, and we
regarded much that he said in bad
taste, and unSuted to the discussion
Amongst other things, he spoke Of
Maj. Rollins being the owner Of GER
tain organ grinders, and mentioned
the name OF at least one Editor in
this connexion. He also charged,
among other things, that Maj. Rol-
Inns was the candidate of the Black
Republican Party---that he had been
brought out by F. P. Blair, and in one
or two instances he designated him,
rollins, as a Black Republican.
"When Col. Stewart concluded,
Maj. Rollins, according to the under
standing, rose to respond for half an
hour, and amongst other things, sta
ted in substance, that, as Col. Stew
art had spoken freely of his owner.
ship of gentlemen, and also of his
being a Black Republican, he thought
those things came with bad grace
from Col. Stewart, who was North
ern man by birth; who was the Pres
ident of the Hannibal and st. Jo-
seph Railroad, most of the stock of
which was owned in Boston; and
who had aided in turning over to this
Boston company, six thousand acres
of as fine land as there was in the
State; a man in short who was owned
by this Boston company, and who
would continue to act as their agent,
whether he remained private citi-
zen, or was elected Governor Of the
State.
"Col. Stewart remarked, you had
better repeat that statement a few
times more, or words to that effect.
Maj. Rollins said he did repeat VIII at
he had stated. Col. Stewart, who
was sitting to the right of Maj. Rol-
Inns on the platform, remarked, that
the statement made, was false; when
Maj. Rollins advanced towards him,
and struck him one or two blows
with his fist, terminating in a short
scufle, when their mutual friends in
terfered, and they were separated.
"The above contains q substantial
statement Of the facts, as they oc-
cured in our presence, and we present
them, that the public may understand
them right
"a. Clendenen, j. Ii. Kinkhead, j.
Cravens, j. II. McNeal, Martin
Ringo, T. Il. Frame, D. Enyart,
II. Harness, G.. w. Nichols, II.
w. Lille, O. A. Witt"
n.-.A.. H..-.-u..