Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-08-11
A Political Ishmaelite.

We were sadly disappointed last week. We had thought, that, when the Gazette appeared, it would contain the valedictory of the pro. tenn, and an announcement that the old editor had reseated himself upon the tripod. There upon, having none but the best feelings for the pro. tenn, we had fixed it up in our mind how we should take a courteous farewell of him. and when he retired from the full blaze of cdi- torial light to the obscurity of mere publisher, that he should carry with him such commend ations as we could conscentiously bestow We had shaped in our minds, the outlines of what we should say. We intended to tell him that, all things considered, he had done very we'll Innocent men have been ir prison. And the fact of being there, is often stain upon a mans character. The charge may have been dispro- ven, and the man honorably acquitted. yet the world, when informed that the person had been in jail, would be apt to form harsh opinion of his honesty. A man may have been for a short time, know nothing editor. Yet cir cumstances may have forced him into that po- sition. It may have been entirely repugnant to his better feelings and judgment. The world not acquainted with the true state of the case, might reasonably form harsh opinion of his veracity. Knowing that the pro. tenn. was yet young man, and that, in his future life, this episode in it might be thrown up to him, we desired, in justice to him, and for the sake of his posterity, to put in defense for him, and let the antidote go down the tide of time with the bane We intended to say for him tha, when he attempted to follow in the footsteps of his llustrious predecessor" he bungled and faltered. That he showed himself a novice That his stories were either outrageously ab- surd, or told in such a hesitatng, confused man. ner, as to convince every reader that he did not believe them himself. The harness set awk- wardly on him, and ever and anon he kicked out of the traces. The intent is said to consti- tute the crime. but he evidently dislked to say these things and said them in such a way as to do DO damage He did not intend to do any harm, and we can assure those concerned that he did none. All this and more we intended to say in his behalf, but he has saved us this trouble. He has performed lustraton. He has come out h an article wherein he pays compliment to democrats. scores the sham de- mocracy, and charges things upon the American or know nothing party, beyond all that we ever read. It has been our painful duty to write some harsh things of the principles and policy of the know nothings, but we never wrote any, thing so harsh as this. He was in their ranks. knew their policy was acquainted with their secrets, and voluntarily offers himself as wit ness. Let us examine his testimony He com- mences thus:
 "THE LATE DEMOCRATIC TRIUMpH.-We have met the enemy and-we are theirs. The election of last Monday was the defeat of Ame- rlcanism, and victory to the democracy, but whether or not it is like one of the victories of Pyrhus time alone can teli."
 All of which is strictly true and slightly classical. He further says:
 "'Tis true, that the democratic party after nominating Judge Owen, threw him off and MT. Easley was elected by large majority (228 votes). 'Tis true, also, that Mr. Pennington is elected to the Legislature, and Mr. Fletcher Sheriff, by small majorties but that is only because the opposition did not know the pre- else number of votes which would be required to beat these gentlemen. If that fact had been known, both of them would have been defeat. ed. As to the result, Col. Faulkner don't care: and we hope our old friend Quindley will not suffer his hair to become taggy, nor his boots to go unblacked, and, further. that he will accept our coincidence in this application to him of that "hope deferred" which "maketh the heart sickn"
 We differ with him as to the party "throw- ing of" Judge Owen. Very many democrats voted for Mir. Easley, but the bulk of the demo- cratic party voted for Mir. Owen.o It is very difficult to beat an old clerk or sheriff, espe- cially. where, as in this case, the incumbent happens to be very fine electioneerer. There is anatural and deep seated opposition in the hearts of the people to the mischievous doctrine of rotation. He tells inc truth when he says the democracy did not know. their own strength; if they had, both MT. Pennington and Mir. Fletcher would have been defeated. A very little exer- ton on the part of democrats would have made thA r1Iafo Wa loot nrr <,,,..