Arkansas true Democrat., 1860-07-28
Letter from Clark Ca.
AEKADELPHIA, July 19, 1860


 On last Tuesday. the 17th ul.., Dr. Mitchell and Col Gantt addressed portion of the citizens of Clark and Dallas counties at this Piace. 1t was two o'clock before the can dluates arrived. Expectation was on tip toe; at two o'clock the crowd repaired to a beautiful oak grove in the suburbs of town, where ample provisions had been made, in view of the important occasion Dr. Mitch el lead off in plain, logical and forcible speech of an hour and half to an audience of about eight hundred persons, in which he dealt not in distractions but confined himself strictly to facts and figures, State and national policy. Many had come to the speaking expecting to see him demolish- ed, after having heard so much of the gal lant lieutenant of Tennessee, but after the first neigh of the old "war horse' incre dulity vanished, his speech told on all pre- sent, save those who would not be con vinced against their will.' It was diff cult to decide what portion ofhis speech was best it was all in the superlative When he came to review the early history of Ar kansas, some of the old pioneers who had known the old war horse in other days, wept like children, while others waved their hats and shouted wild exultations of ioy.- His State policy was that administered by Gov. Conway and proposed by Col. John. son as regards the winding up of the banks. In his national policy, he stands on the platform with Calhoun. Breckinridge was his first choice for President before the nomination. So his State and national policy is good enough for .poor' man. No one can listen to the Doctor without admiring his candor, originality, humor. argument and power; he does not go much on flowers, he only plucks the richest and rarest. He exercises generous sentiment, without compromising his dignity. If more persons could have heard him he would get more votes--even those who are opposed to him express sentiments of the profoundest respect for his frankness, hon. or and dignity.
 Col. Can't followed in speech of tw o hours, not to say twice as much could not be said in half the time, during which his audience were very restless, he got off bad ly and did not get any better as he pro- gressed. Heappeared perplexed over bur dened, even his mountain poetry had lost it's former melody. In his national policy he was either unable or unwilling to make any distinction between the right and the power of Congress, he either knows no diff ference, or wants to mistify his position. Verify the gallant lieutenant's banner trail ed in the dust at Philadelphia! If all the voters in the second congressional district could hear both candidates, the race would be uninteresting. After the Colonel had made out his two hours, Dr. Mitchell again appeared and made few racy remarks; he appeared too generous to reopen the wounds ke had made in the Colonel's political body --he appeared conscious of the victory he had gained, yet was 10th to exult in it. l , have heard of no one going to the speaking undecided who returned in favor of Can't; on the contrary, many went undecided who came away strong Mitchell men, What is , best of all, Can't men some Of thcm) ac. } knowledge greater gain for Mitchell than Mitchell men claim. It was hard on the gallant Can't, his horn had been blown too hard and long, perhaps too much was expect ell of him, he fell far below expectation; Mitchell rose far above it. Mitchell has varie- ty; he adds wit and humorto logic and power oftrue eloquence. Can't has in an eminent degree, the gift of repetition, with more poetry than policy-he plucked flowers that gave no promise of fruit. In his compe- titor he got more than he bargained for } After supper, the friends of Dr. Mitchell got up complimentary serenade, they formed in procession double file over one hundred yards in length. Following band of music they marched up and halted in front of the Spencer house, wherein the old hero slept. From a hundred voices went mp the shout, Mitchell! War horsen' War hYrse." from the second story he walked forward to piazza, and in yery elegant manner returned the compliment conlered upon him. From few faint howls across } the street was then heard Can't Can't, whereupon that distinguished parsonage appeared and spoke at length; addressing himself to Mitchel's friends, he said before the sixth of August he would change their tu1e.
 1t will be hard to separate Rector and Can't, party distinctions are fast being made, Clark the largest democratic county in the State, will not dance to the tune of disorganzation. Col. Can't is a nice young man, sings well, and is hard to eclipse on a tamborine. These reflections may serve to console him or in some degree mitigate his suffering after the election. He who tram pies upon the usages of the party, with parts and parcels of the party sets at naught the old land marks-beacon lights that have long stood out to direct the political mari ner--endeavors to ride over principles at the expense of party into office, richly mer- its defeat at the hands of the party to which he hypocritically pretends to belong-to all such we should say, go and sin no more; at the same time withhold our suffrage un. til he brings forth fruits meet for repentance } The most Imaginable scene on the day of the speaking was enacted about thirty paces from the speakers stand-hat on his. back, his head reclining against stump, in his right hand grasped Faber's pencil, in his left a scrip of paste board lay-the re- porter of the Old:: ever and anon greeted the ear, his discordant notes-like those created by saving gourds-his report will no doubt be as brilliant as his dream-the crowd dispersed and left him alone in his glory. R KAN so.
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