Arkansas intelligencer., 1858-05-14
The Fort Smith Herald.

The last number of the above mentioned
paper contains a leading editorial on the over
land mail route 10 California. The tone and
spirit Of which has taken US entirely by sur
prise. From the antecendenrs- of that paper
we did not expect it to change its position so
sudden. We have seen ir our time many
strange and unaceountable turns and twists
with editors and politicians, but the last whirl
Of the Herald for quickness of conception and
rspidity of motion, beats the most expert
adept in great performances.
! 1t was but short time since that the He
raid said the route on the 35th parallel was
the shortest and most practicable, and indeed
the only one that was entirely practicable.-
In this opinion we concured with the Herald,
and we know no reason 10 change that opn-
| ion. But the Herald has discovered that the
| present arrangement, is as much advantage to
Fort Smith as the 35th would be, and it is
all night with them. They take back all they
| have said against the Postmaster General
and he is now a marvellous proper man with
/ that paper. We alway, believed Gov. Brown
| to be a patriot, and IN officer that would
/ honestly and faithfully discharge his duties as
| he understood them, bat we also believed that
| he was laboring under a mistake as to the
advantages of the 35th parallel. 1t was to re
move if possible this error, and call the atten-
| ton Of the country to investigate the facts
| that induced Us as public journalist, to take
| the position we did in the matter. We
| this route was the best for the country at
( large. The Herald thought or pretended 10
: think the same. But all at once it has dis
covered that Mr. Phelps, of Missouri, did no
thing 'tha; old John Butterfeid originated the
ideas Of making the connection at that place.
! Suppose be did; was it for the interest Of Fort
| Smith alone or was it because Mr.. Rutterfeld
as the contractor who was pecuniarily interest
ed in conveying the mail on the best route, Sc
leeted it! We suppose the latter. We do
not suppose that Mr.. Butterfeld knew or
cared anything about Fort Smith more than
he saw from the map, that it was on or near
the 35th parallel, which he supposed to be
the nearest and most practicable route to San
| Francisco.
/ But the Herald seems TO be satisfied if
Fort Smith is point on the route no differ
ence how or where the road may run. We
are sorry, Mr.. Herald, to learn that your ef-
forts for the good Of the public are confirmed
to the narrow limits of your little town.
You have yet to learn it seems, Mr.. Herald
that your place is but small affair in the
State Of Arkansas, TO say nothing of the Uni
ted States. And if you set your guage to
measure public utility by such standard,
your compass is too small to accomplish its
object,
You admit that you ''w.s wrong in attr:bu-
( ting improper motives to Gov. Brown in the
! management of this contract, because he
I had overlooked Fort Smith Why my dear
sirs, do you suppose that Gov. Brown knows
or cares anything about Fort Smith, Why
should he: Do you not know, that in many
points in this great confederacy, larger places
/ have been built in twelve mouths and can and
will be again. Then, why should you think
that great national thoroughfare as the
overland route to the Pacific, woaId turn one
half mile out of the way to 90 through your
town. If you suppose so, YOU much over
! rate your Importance, and i. may be that YOU
are laboring under happy delusion. But
never agaln set up any pretensons as laboring
for the public good, when you concede that
! your mote of the public is confirmed to the
/ pecuniary aid Of your village 1t may be
| :rue tha: present arrangements will be as a2-
santageous TO your point but is il to the coun-
! try, and Is the present route practicablel You
said not, and We believed YOU, and give what
/ aid we could to establish The fact Now Won
acknowledge that YOU are satisfied as Fort
Smith is made point on the route 1t is all
/ right, Gov. Brown and every body else have
done their duty. Hereafter we will under
stand you, and when you oppose persons or
measures. we will know your motive, and give
you full credit The country will DO so, and
no doubt Mr.. Postmaster Brown will duly ap-
Precate your praise, and rem ble at your CEN
sure.
u. s. District Court.
The United States District Court for the