Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-08-11
A Little Dictation.

We have sbeen accused of dictating to the people, of arrogance and of assuming authority In this article we will try and see how the dictatorial tone will suit us. We intend to tell democrats what we conceive to be their duty in one regard, and then ask them, (no, that would not be dctatorial enough,) to urge them to do that duty. And we are more inclined to do this from the fact that, after reading the proof of an article to be found in this issue, entitled "1he Fort Smith Herald," one or two sentences in it are so clumsily, because hastily, written, that some of our contemporaries may misconStrue their meaning. In referring to the two or three sheets in this State who make 1t point to abuse the True Democrat, we do not wish to be understood as referring to those jour
 nals with whom we have, heretofore. honestly differed upon questions of policy or in choice of men. Our preferences may be different, our views of measures opposite, yet their preferen- ces and their opinions are entitled to as much credit as ours. We only alluded to those pa pers who refused to support the nominees of the democratic party or, in one case, gave, at last, faint and reluctant support. It Is well known that there are several sheets, calling themselves independent democrats, but know nothings in reality, that refused to support the nominees, and all through the canvass endeav- ored to distract and divide our party. Other journals, some of them differing from ourselves on certain questions, yet were true to the prin- ciples, and warmly supported the standard bearers of the party. Our differences, if any yet exist, can be adjusted or discussed with that courtesy due to one another. As we were a more central figure perhaps, we became the tar get at which tbe arrows of these know-nothing independent anti-convention, Wm. Walker, in- stinctve, etc, etc., democrats were aimed. Lo! we survive. And what is more, from the day the canvass opened until now, there has been steady increase in our subscription list, which is now larger than it ever was before Under these circumstances we may we'll feel proud and disposed to dictate. .l.
 Addressing ourselves to the democracy of Arkansas, we say: From the extreme east to the west, from the north to the south, there are democratic newspapers in the State, that labored hard and we'll for the cause. They gave hearty and effective support to the nominees
 They carried your flag with bold hearts in the van of the battle,--into the very thickest of the fray They have been instrumental in gaining your great victory. They deserve your thanks, your support, your warmest exertlons in their behalf Not only as newspapers to be read, but as advertising mediums as local in- stitutons hose success is a measure oi your energy and prosperity, they should be sup ported. But a stronger consideration lies in the fact that everything goes to show that we are at the commencement of the greatest political struggle that ever convused the country. Fa- naticism and treason will unite. The great burden of the defense of the rights of the southern people will fall on the democratic party. We should prepare ourselves and suffer none of our journals to languish for want of support
 We say these things in earnest. We do not want to monopolze your patronage, and feel assured that there is room enough in your hearts for us all. Then, if you will permit us to dictate to you we would urge you to strengthen the hands of those who are endeav- bring to serve you.
 There are, besides these sound democratic journals, at least two other newspapers, former ly old line whig and more recently mild know nothings. These have given to and taken from us some hard blows, but to their credit be it said, have not stopped to the low slang of these pretended democratic papers, whose object is the division of the democratic party. And when the issue is made up between the demo- crats and black republicans, as it aoiU be made, we are inclined to believe that the true south- ern feeling of these our present opponents will make them our allies, and they will battle with us for the rights of the south and the Union