Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1858-08-01
II the folio y Ing places :
Hon. j. O Williams Lett er-The Elk
press q Herald.

In another column we publish let
ter from the Hon. }. O. Williams, OF
Blackhawk county, and recommend
its careful perusal to the democracy
Mr.. Williams is one of the ablest, best
known and most influential democrats
in the State, and man whose word
may be relied upon. The letter con-
tanned fair and impartial statement
of the facts which led to the calling of
the second Convention at Iowa City
on the oath Of June last, and is an able
yindication of the course Of those
members of the first Convention who
took part in the proceedings of the
second.
The letter also contains what has
long been needed by the democracy a
full expose of J. Il. Dorr, the edit
or of the Dubuque Express d Herald.
No paper in the State whether Le-
compton or ant-Lecompton, except
the Express d Herald, was sufficiently
regardless of the interests of the. party,
to make, either the refusal of the first
Convention to pass the resolution sus-
tanning the Administration, or its sub
sequent adoption by the second Con-
vcntion, the ground of a serious differ
ence. All, while they freely express
ed their opinions upon the sobject-as
they were entitled to do-stll treated
it in spirit Of liberalty and fairness.
But the Elpress d, HeraM in defiance
thus OF the expressed will Of the party,
proceeded at once to read the mem
bers of the second Convention out of
the party, and for the crime of assem-
bling, endorsing the ticket which had
been nominated By the first Convention.
and acknowledging their confidence in
the National Democratic Admnistra-
ton, characterized them as " Danitcs"
AID 'bolters." Even here, after the ap-
p.icaiion 81 Backyard names to the
democracy, Dorr did not stop; but
proceeded systematically to Snisrepre-
.en, the causes which led 10 the meet
ing of the second Convention, the
sc.ions u il. members and the SENT
menu expressed BY them. Thus the
whole course Of this pretended party or
gan, ins,ead Of lending helping hand
u the press Of the State in its endeav
On FOR the restoration Of harmony, was
deliberately planned, and only calcula-
ted,,o distract, divide and break up the
party. Fortunately for the democra-
cy anC for the success Of the State and
Congressional tickets which We have
placed in nomination, the influence Of
Dorr 10 decidedly circumscribed and
the shaft which he had SO carefully
aimed at the heart Of the party fell
harmlessly short Of its mark. The
united voice of the democratic press Of
the State on both sides of the Lecomp-
ton question, at last succeeded in
silencing even the omnipotent Express
d Herald. We have never regarded
the Lecompton question as special
test Of democracy. Our opinion has
been fairly and frankly expressed in
support of the policy Of the Admins.
tration, and we freely accorded to all
members of the party the same right
Of independent opinion which VIZ
claimed for ourselves and we do MOI
wish it to be thought that one word o
energy is lent to our denunclations o
Mr.. Dorr, on account Of his honest diff
ference with us upon that question, ex
cept 10 far as he has wilfully overstep
ped the limits Of reason to the injury
Of tho unity Of the party. But Will,
We accord to him the right TO hold hi
opinions upon that questions; we arr
still at liberty to question the motive
Of his opposition to the Administration
The great mass Of democrats op
posing the Administration-are hon
- u >thsir opposition-and far b
nhsn ~ p question their sincerity
on1 VAGlevue nay b said n regard r