Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-12-21

Tn their own trap, endeavored to get as many others in as possible
 W neither you was in the secret from the beginning do not know I hope not. In fact, though gullible, you were rather too honest to be fully trusted. They simply wanted to use you. And they did it. Up- on the election of Mir. Duval a npmber of the members immediately drew the ninety. six dollars, but others drew for days. ot1er the recess, and avoided drawing for the twenty-four days, till the last day in the evening. Now, if they were entitled to this money and had to draw some why nok., draw that, instead of pay for days after the recess? To the last hour they hoped to be spared the necessity of taking it. But they had gone too far They had insisted that others should take it-had signed the cer- tifcates-had sworn 1t was right and to refuse to take it themselves would have ex- posed all their tricks. They shivered on the brink till the last moment, and then unwillingly plunged in. For them, the people have no pity;-for those whom they deluded, coaxed, or persuaded into it, there is some excuse. If you are of the latter class 1 am sorry for you, but, if you were in the secret and sought to entrap others into this thing in order to accomplish their political ruin, and were caught in your own trap, then you deserve no pity.
 In writing these letters, as their tone and spirit show, l have no desire to do youS.. injustice, to abuse you, or to accuse you wrongfully. True, you took advantage of your position to attack me and ac- cused me of acts and motives of which was guiltless. I would be glad if you could rid yourself of this thing. There is one way to do it. Come out and make clear breast of it. Ten why you took this money. Your excuses thus far, are patry and insignificant The first one is, that your expenses were heavy while at the Rock, and your generous constituency would not expect you to come here to represent them at sacrifice. But they might reply that you knew, before you came, that you were entitled to four dollars day during the session and if you chose to spend five dollars a day, the odd dollar must come out of your own pocket Or, if you choose to stay here while the legislature was not in session, you and not the people are liable for your expenses. If that plea is worth anything it amounts to this: A member of the legislature who has a family and brings his household to the capital is at more expense than bachelor member whose hat covers his family, and should receive more pay. This being granted, the people would, as a matter of economy, send only single mer to the legislature.
 Your other plea which you endeavor to prove by extracts from writers that what ever is legal is right, is very easily answered. 1 When you produce yonr authority on ab- stract law to prove that what is not pro- hibited by law Is therefore right per SC, some old farmer may draw his bible on you and put your generalities all to flight. You may try it forever but you can't persuade a man that it is right or even honest to charge and receive pay for services not ren- dered. After you have spent day in ex- | plantations, and exhausted your stores of political sophistry, one simple question put to you knocks the whole pile into rub bish That question is; Did you receive pay for work not performed? The farmers, the people, the yeomanry, know that the legislature was not in session and business at stand It was taking something for nothing-it was receiving guid without giving the quo-it was taking advantage of position to take the peoples money for services not rendered. This is the poisoned shirt that cling. to you and will not be put off except in one way. Own up. Tell why you took 1t. If you were in the plot to make others take it and avoid 1t yourself say so. If, however, youwere among those who were coaxed into 1t, tell the people of the influences brought to bear on you; of the coaxing or bullying manifested and they may forgive you this great wrong Attempt to justify or defend it, and under you go. It is wrong, of itself and unjusti- fable Even Hindman, who fancies him. self an Atlas, found he could not carry 1t, and if you try it, it will crush you. I w w