Arkansas true Democrat., 1860-06-30
Can Islanders Win2

Whatever may be the peculiar ldeas oi etiquette, politeness and good breeding en- tertained by tho Old Line Democrat the unnecessary, unusual, and decldeiy :ude attemptto parade the private character oi every political opponent before the puollc is very different from our ideas on that score. As an instance of its gross dlsre- gard of the common decencies of llie' as we'll as its anti-democratic and antl-repuo- lican proclivitives, we refer to its course III regard to Hon. J. B. Johnson, at present the representative from this county by the largest vote ever boiled for any one' ana the democratic nominee, aouhom one dts- sentinq poice, for reelection. Shirklng the seeming inconsistency of keeping hls name at its mast head by inserting as cores ponce' personal reflections on this gentle man, it seeks in this way to avoid respon- sibility, and stab under the cloak of trlend- ship.
 This course is not only direct insult to the common sense of the voters of Pulaski county, but it is moreover antl-democratic and direct infringement on the rights of the ballot-box. MT. Johnson headed the ticket the last race. He was the peoples candidate Fairly elected he is now abus- ed, and for what? Simply because his TaIx ha ntatl Of the independent voters of Pulaski county. is abused by pretended democratic paper. Will republicans of any party tolerate or countenance such course? It is direct blow at the representative system and the sovereignty of the people. What can our captious neighbor wish? Why did not Mr. Peek object to MT. ohnson in the con- vention? Or if he thinks him unworthy of democratic support, why don't he take his name down? The editor of the Old Line Democrat we'll knows that the voters of Pulaski, at the ballot-box, will place the brand of falsehood on the baseless as sertions with which that paper has teemed derogatory of the character of the ''J ohm sons.' He we'll knows that Col. R. H. Johnson and J. B. J ohnson will carry the democratic vote of this county. Yet not withstanding this fact, notwithstanding they are indorsed at home where they are best known, and after such baseless insin- nations are heralded through the county, | which if one half of them were true would dunn the "Johnsons" forever socially and morally. If this way of "black balling'' men is either democratic or "high bred,' why then we confess that we know noth- ing of democracy or of politeness. A de- cent respect for his constituents should deter the old Line Democrat from slandeT- ing such high-minded, honorable gentle man as J. B. Johnson. The course of that journal is a striking commentary on the old adage that "o one false step leads to another.'' The entire political course of that paper is based on falsehood-the ignorance of Me people. Firmly convinced of this that sheet every issue teens with charges that have not shadow of truth or reason to justify them. Before they can be corrected they have over-spread the country, and are swallowed greedily by snappers up of unconsidcred triaes, such as L. D. Harvey, and others whom we might mention-men who would rather circulate one falsehood than thousand truths. In this way our cotemporary hopes to gain a point-the election of servile tools, fourth rate politicians, venal under strappers and sycophantic demagogues.
 We are only surprised that few men who should know better, suffer themselves to become the dupes of contemptible coalition of which the Old Line Demo- crat is the chief organ. If such swim dle as this can be palmed off on the State of Arkansas, why then 1t will be a disgrace to hold office under her banner. The ballot box must become as polluted as the mouth of Charles Sumner, before 1t can become the " slanderer of statesmen," the libeller of such men as Elias N Conway, and the patron of paper that will dare abuse such a faithful representative of an intelligent constituency as the Hon. d. B. Johnson.