The Van Buren press., 1860-09-28
Letter from Sebastian County.
September 26. 1860.

September 26. 1860.
EDITOR OF THE Way BuREs Pass
Dear Sir: It argues, perhaps in favor of
the rising prospects of good government to
see so many aspirants for the office or sta
tion of .. S. Senator. to be filled at the next
session of the Legislature. In and about
the centre of the State the names of Conway,
Hampstead, Watkins and Richard H. john
son, all of Pulaski county. and of the old
dynasty ; and Rust, who recently parted
company with them, and who stands alone
for Douglas in the center. Tn the south we
have the names of Quillin and Warren, of
Ouachita county, Doctor Mitchell, of Hemp
stead. and Gen. Hemingway, Of Drew coun-
ty. In the eastern pa rt of the State, Thos.
Fletcher. Gen. I. B. Flournoy, Thos. Craig
head, Col. &C. Hindman, and Judge Tot
ten. In the north, Judge Brown. Col. w.
K. Patterson, and Col: McCrary.. In the
northwest, Col. Reagan, Judge Floyd,
Judge Greenwood. Judge David Webster,
and Doct. Dean and in the west, Ben. T.
Duval, Derosa Carroll, and Col. N. B.
Burrow. Of these twenty four names,
Judge Walker is alone of the Opposition.
All the rest are Breckinlidge men except
Rnst, Quillin, Flournoy and Dean who
support Douglas. If we add thenames of
Doctor Gibson and Capt. Danley to that of
Judge Walker, we have three prominent
names in favor of Mr.. Bell, four in favor
OF MIR. Douglas, and twenty in favor of
Mr.. Breckinridge. Total number spoken
of, is twenty-seven. There may be of these
several who have had no agency in making
their names thus prominent and, perhaps,
there are others, not named, equally wei
qualified to serve in this high position with
the best of those named.
If left to select Breckenridge man for
the station, should prefer Gen. Heming-
way. Of the Bell men Doctor Gibson, or
Gen. Yell. whose name has not been men,
toned. And of the Douglas men, Rust,
before any yet named Still when consid-
ering the present position of parties in this
State, the chances of individuals arc as
nothing. A Senator will be elected by the
joint action of the conservative eliments of
the present Legislature, whose action will
be governed by an expression of the people
at the ballot-box in November, rather than
by that Of August last, as no question in
reference to President or Senator was
made test by the people. Individual pref
erences weIe sometimes voluntarily expires
sed by candidates on the stump. perhaps in
reference to both questions, but not of that
binding character as to control their choice
under the exi gences that are likely to arise
in the Senatorial canvass.
Sectional proclivitics will have their in
fiuence-the north and the west will claim
the honor, on the score of equal repre-
sentation with the south and east. The
centrifugal influences will doubtless be
brought to bear also against the ccntripc-
tai power that has for all time past, ruled
the destinies Of the State.
Tho con test IN Tho first f.I-.. LII L-,:..
with the capital of the country. 1t will be
narrowed down sectionally between the
north and west as against the contra south
and East.
In the next place the Presidential pro-
clMites will rule and the contest will be
fought out on the triangular principle. and
determined ultimately on the principles that
divide members on the Presidential ques-
zion. Heretofore it was right easy mat
ter for members to take their position for
Democracy or against it. That term has,
to some extent, lost its claim, as being di-
vided, its influence has virtually been dissi-
pated. 1t is believed that Nationality, rath-
er than any party designation, will weigh
down all opposition. If SO, Douglas
or Bell man is most likely to be elected to
the United States Senate, in place of r.
w. johnson, who declines q reelection. 1t
has been whispered that the friends of this
gentleman have been feeling around to as
certain if it would not be best to re-elect
him as the only mode by which the fallen
fortunes of his brother and other friends
may be revived and the old family faction
resuscitated. The attemptwould be atten-
ded with disaster to Col. johnson. Many
had supposed his voluntary retirement had
saved him from the general wreck of the
dynasty of which he was claimed to be the
head !; and that an effort now being made in
behalf of the re-establishment of that Jun
to, would deprive him of the privilege he
has been so fortunate as to carry with him
in his retirement.
Viewing the question from any stand
point, and in all its varying forms. take
+. N. Conway to be the strongest Breckin-
ridge man in the field. l believe DIR. Glib
son the ablcst and strongest whig or Bell
man, and Doctor Dean the strongest Doug
las man named. Can either of these suc
ceed ? If not, then we must seek out of
the list for one whose name has not been
heretofore prominent for the station
X.
Ev The Pine Bluff Independent, the