Des Arc citizen., 1860-06-30
GANTT 6 MITCHELL AT BROWNS
 VILE. The Discussion bettceen Col. GdnH and Dr. .M.tcheli-C Col. GantFs Triumph. BnowNsvr1LE. June 27, 1860.


 BROWNSVILLE June 27, 1860.
 MR. EDIroR: had the pleasure, to-
 day. of listening 10 the speeches of Dr.
 MITCHELL and Colonel GANTT, candi-
 dates for Congress, and l am free to say 1t was one of the abest, if not the most able political discussion have listened to since 1 have been in the State. Both candidates sustained themselves very well. Dr. MITCHELL made good defence con- slderng the very poor cause he advocates. Col, GANrT's triumph was complete, con vincing and overwhelming. He is bold, fearless, able and eloquent man. 1 was more than satisfied with him, and am sure that the Democracy of Prairie county feel proud of him as their first choice for Con- gress. If there were any MITCHELL men present they were too badly whipped to make any demonstration, or confession of their preferences for Dr. MITCHELL, after having heard the discussion. GANTT is sanguine of success, while MITCHELL is hacked and l think il was evident from his manner that he expected to be de- feated.
 They commenced the discussion at one o'clock, P M, Dr. MITCHELL leading off. He commenced by telling the peo- pie that he was aware that the people of Prairie county were largely in favor of his competitor, and very much preiudiced against him because he supported Richard H. Johnson for Governor against Judge Rector; but asked the people to suspend the execution of their judgment until they had heard him in his own defence. Said that he had been citizen of Arkansas for nearly twenty-five years that he was in the Legislature with James Erwin the first representative from Prairie county. That he had always been democrat, that he had battled under the democratic flag ever since he had been in the State; and now followed and battled under that flag in the hands of Richard H. Johnson, who was the nominee of the democratic party for Governor that Richard H. Johnson was fairly nominated according to demo- cratic usuages; that he (M1rcHELL) did not belong to the Johnsons or any body else; that the cry of "family" was hollow hearted and insincere; that it was first raised by William E. Woodruff; that the party had elected Conway Governor twice in opposition to the cry of !" family and oligarchy j" that Robert Johnson had been elected United States Senator unani- monsly in opposition to that cry; and that Robert w. Johnson intended now to re- tire from public service; said that Rector was !" kin" to the family, and was cousin of Aunt Nancy Con-a-way." He then delivered glorious eulogy upon the John sons and Governor 'Lias Con-a-way; he wanted to know what they had done that they should be denounced; said he chal- Ienged any man to show that they had done anything that would justify their condemnation, and if they had done noth- ing why condemn them said it was left for Hindman, the dictator ofTippah county, Mississippi, and his imported editor, Peek, who came around by Illinois, to discover that there was " family and oligarchy," and to dictate to the people the course to be pursued in getting rid of it.
 He then defined his position upon the subject of congressional intervention to be this - that he repudiated the Douglas heresy of squatter sovereignty, believed that Congress had the power to protect slave property in the territories, but thought it inexpedient to demand the exercise of that right. He then alluded to the fact that he had been called travelling gro- cery," and "perfect toper;' said some people thought if they would only tap his shins they could get good drInk any time Denied that he was ever drunk acknowledged that his face was standing invitation to take a drink; said some peo- pie told him if he did not get drunk he ought 10 take down his sign said that he did sometimes sample the article, that it was a social habit with him to take a drink when invited to do so, that he had bad way of refusing; that he did not often refuse 10 take 1t when fixed up with sugar water and mint, that he thought 1t ought not to be condemned that the Saviour of at wedding feast, when the wine gave out. turned water into wine, in order that the fellows might drink more.
 He then asked the people to listen to his young friend Col. CAN'T, who was an and who had been excorialing him very severely during the canvass, and said if he had not lived in Arkansas a IL. H.. ,x,J .l. ..I.