Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-05-18
AN OLD GUARD.
From the Planter
From the Planter Crocketfs Blu6, Arhansas copnty, Arh., , March 23, 1858.

From the Planter
 Crocketfs Bluf, 4rEansas col,aty, Arl.,
 March 23, 1858.
 +. H. TUCKER-Dear Sir: notice in the columns of vour paper an article over the sig- nature of "Desha," on the sdbect of the next senatorial election in this district, composed of the counties of Arkansas Jefferson and Desha. l am heartily glad to learn that portion of the citizens of Desha, at least, are aroused in view of the management and intrigue of the favorite ones of the Johnson family, to get their pets in all the offices of honor or profit in the senato- rial district.
 They say that unless the democracy of this senatorial district is united, the dark lantern party will in all probability run candidate and succeed in eecting a Senator; consequently they say, "raly democrats, the enemy is at our doors"
 This will do to talk to green horns, but sen sible men acquainted with such slang and arc not to be humbugged any longer by such sayings.
 Why, sir, call a convention to nominate a candidSe for Senator?t Is it true that there is danger to be apprehended from the know-noth ing patty? No, sir, this is not the case, and the family" are aware of the fact Then the con- clusion is that the only object to be effected by convention at this time is to rule out Col Fer guson, the man who has in every instance been found defending the rights of the people and the interests of the State for the last six years. the man who has always occupied position above faction; and man who has defended the cause of democracy, anl is still willing to con tend for the principles of our party when they are assailed.
 say again, why do they want to beat the Colonel? Is it because he has done his dutv as Senator? No, sir; that is not the reason The reason is this Col. Ferguson is a man of his own head; is not to be dictated to by the friends of the family" when called upon to act as guardian of the interests of the people, This fact was fully demonstrated at the last session of the Legislature of this State. when the swamp land question was before the Senate All the family" and their head were found contendng for the present law, whilst Fergu- son was found contending to the last extremity. against the passage of the law, and in favor of So modifying the old swamp land law as to pro- tect the fund from waste, and secure the speedy | completion ct all the levees on the Arkansas and Mississippi rivers, so as to constitute com plete chain of levees on said rivers, and to i'm prove the Bayou Bartholomew, Saline river. White river, and drain all the swamps contem- plated by the grant; and the residue of the swamp lands applied to the payment of our State debts or for railroad purposes, as the wis dom of the State might think proper to do.
 Col. Ferguson also opposed set of favorte measures brought before the Senate by the Johnson and ~Conway faction, to wit: To in- crease the salaries of all the State officers. and to increase the tax, and to set aside one hun dred thousand dollars, as recommended by the Governor in his message, to be used by him the Governor.
 In foreclosing the mortgage of the Real Estate Bank, Ferguson has been denounced by them as standing up to his party .measures, and IS not sound democrat for the reason that his untiring energy and influence defeated majority of the above measures Col. Ferguson has opposed every effort to raise the tax and increase the salaries of State officers, in every session of the Legislature, since he has had the honor of seat in that body-which has been for the last six ysas.