The Van Buren press., 1859-09-21
A Position Defined.

inst, has with what We consider a consid-
erablc degree Of presumption on its part,
taken under its charge and assumed to ex.
ercise the dictatorship of the Press. We
regret that our contemporary cannot restrain
itself within the limits of modes,y and
moderation and while we take pleasure in
conceding to the Editors of the Arkansi-
an talent and spirit. we protest against the
arrogance-a sin which they SO much con
denim in others-with which they assume
to be the sole Judge of the motives and
principles which govern others. We dis
claim all influences, intiInations or accusa-
tions against our cutempcrary yet we
Could with equal Justice to their suspicious,
accuse them Of being biased by influences
that should not control an editor The
Arkonsion in its great desire to maintain
the organization of the Democratic party.
should not appear to assume the position of
scle defender and advocate of the cause, nor
seem to dictate to others who may be equal
ly desirous to maintain the interest of the
party. But to return to the difference be-
tween that paper and ourselves the Ar
Aans'an chooses to manifest its support of
the democratic organization. by severe
criticisms upon individuals this course we
believe has been legitimatised by usage, but
it is not considered to be the only course of
a good democrat. Situated as we are a
stranger-not to the principles of the party
but to the exact relative position of men,
we deemed it to be our proper course to
confine ourself to the support of principles
and not enter into the angry war between
men. until we were fully advised of the
merits of the controversy. We have ad-
hered to this course in strict honesty have
never animadverted upon the -Arkansian or
the State Rights Democrat. and we hoped
that those papers would appreciate our po-
sition.
We repeat that We are tied down" to
no man, neither to Mr.. Hindman, nor to
any Of his opponents. We are of the
democratic party and with it, We are
tied down" to the democratic organization
and not to particular men in it, We think
that the democratic party will preserve its
organization, and we do not pretend to an
ticipate its action.
If the .Arkansidn receives as an evidence
Of our position towards men. our recon-
mendation to the democracy OF Crawford
County to turn out and hear Col. Hindman.
the Editors are greatly mistaken; We would
have done the same in behalf of Col VIII
SON. Col. TIBBETrs. Judge FLOYD. Major
GREEN, or any other democrat. Col. Hind
man is our member elect, and as such is en-
titled to that respect he has the demo-
cratic endorsement, and Notwithstanding
the opinions of the Arkansion, has not yet
lost that endorsement that is not yet de-
cidcd it is the very matter that is now be-
ing considered, and Col. Ii. asks to be
heard before sentence is passed that much
grace would be granted under the most alb
solutcism in Europe. We said that this
gentleman's reputation was a guarantee that
his hearers would be well entertained. This
fact our Fayetteville contemporary certainly
will not deny. Col. Hindman's powers on
the stump are conceded by enemies as well
as friends, and it would be of no avail to
ignore such q fact. We reiterate our decla-
ration Of intention to support the regularly
nominated ticket, and at the proper time
express our preference of men for nomina-
tion. should We have preference. Yes,
the proper time" that time which the
Arkansion seems to wish to fix for us
that time which we are judges of and not
our Fayetteville cotemporary and we here
declare that We feel capable, and know that
We are determined to edit our own paper,
in our own way; will select our own times
and occasions in our editorial movements
in utter disregard of the dictation Of the
Arkansian. We concede to the Editors Of
that paper. honesty of motive, indepcnd-
ence Of action, ability and zeal, and we
claim for ourself q small modicum of those
attributes.
While we are not "over anxious" vet
we are quite willing to preserve amicable
terms with the Arkansian, but not at the
sacrifice of our rights and self respect