Des Arc citizen., 1860-05-26
TO THE " O T E R $
PRAIRIE co WN r Y o

FELLOW CITIZENs .--it is h"""" " if not all of you, that the Democratic con vention which met at Brownsville on the ZSa
 Anril last. unanimously designated me as suitable person to represent you in the lower branch of your next Legislature, and selected me to become candidate for that posltloh' Those who know me best will give me creui for sincerity. when assure you that dld not desire this position, and that 1t was bestowed upon me without my seeking. But, however much may be disinciined to leave my home and enter the public service, yet, the manlfes- tatIon of confidence so spontaneously be- slowed by my friends, imposes such o0iiga- tions upon me as to leave no other alternative but to accept. In again returning my thanks to my friends for this unsolicited maRlfesta- ton of their regard, l assure them, that IL will be my earnest endeavor not to betray or disarpoint the confidence so generously re- posed in me.
 In placing myself before you as candi7 date for your sufrages, trust it is not with out due appreciation of the responsibilities of the position to which aspire, The duties and responsibilities of the legislator are not to be lightly assumed. He is to ac Sas the agent and representative of the people, and his poli- cy is to impress itself upon their laws and institutions and to determine the rapidity Of their progress. Hence, the necessity that he should give public expression to whatever views he may entertain, in regard to such sub iects of legislation as will likely be before the General Assembly. In accordance with the promise made in my letter of acceptance, I TOW propose to give you such an exposi- ton of my views as will leave no one in doubt in regard to my position upon any of the measures, or political topics which are at present agitating the public mind
 find an additional motive to this course in the fact that I was charged by one of my competitors, even before l was nominated, with disposition to play what he terms < shut mouth," meaning, l suppose that would not make my sentiments known, but depend on my nomination for success. l claim no advantage in being the nominee at
 Brownsville, it merely shows that have the confidence of large and respectable portion of the citizens of this county; yet, if my views and dep rtment of character are not such as commend themselves to the voters of Prairie county, do not desire their sufrages. If the gentleman wishes to insinuate by the term " shut mouth,'' that there is something hidden in my views, policy or character, l will say to him, he has mistaken his man. l would that every voter ill the county knew not only my political views and policy, but my whole history, both public and private, from my boyhood up to the present time, The fact that I was nominated by a democratic conYen- ton and that that respectable body of citizens was assailed by one of my competitors, even in advance of its assembling, renders it in- cumbent on me that should utter word in it's defense. The charge alluded to is, that a portion of the delegates composing the con vention at Brownsville, had objected to the course pursued by the convention held in Little Rock, Surely they had right to ob- ject to the course adopted by that convention, when they from honest convictions and facts were convinced of the fact that the known usages of the democratic party had been violated.
 That freedom of opinion which our govern ment secures to every one, growing thus spon taneously out of the very nature of our insti- tutions, is said, and perhaps truly, to be necessary for the preservation of our govern ment ..
 Certain it is, that when based upon an hon. est difference of. opinion, in regard to princi- pies affecting the administration of the gov ernment, they are conducive of the public good. Conventions are the only means known to us of concentrating political power and political principles. All parties have resorted to them, and they have become They have been practiced in every age of our and have received the sanction of our purest patriots and statesmen. All the early Presidents, from Jefferson down, were brought before the people by what was known as the Congressional Caucus; in fact, our government was founded through the agency of conventions. By referring back to the convention that framed the Constitution of he United States, it will be found that the delegates who composed that body were selected by meetings (which were then, as low, called conventions) held in each State or that purpose. It is the only means of giving expression to popular feeling. Mr. Calhoun, whose views are frequently quoted ,n this subject, white admitting that abuses lad grown up around conventions, suggested ,lan by means of which conventions might be made conducive of public good. It is alledged, owever, that there exists no necessity for onventions, from the fact that there is no pposition in this State. This has it's refuta- ion in the fact that number of Opposition County Conventions have recently been held n the State, and strong efforts are being made 9 reorganize that party.
 It must be evident to every observing man hat the members of the Opposition party are DO shrewd not to endeayor to take advantage the present troubles in the Democratic | arty, and to reorganize their scattered forces. he abandonment of Democratic organization nd of tfte convention system; at this tftfie5 | light fill your legislature with the Opposition embers, and would result in the election of | n Opposition United States Senator.
 But to conclude what have to say in regard