The Van Buren press., 1860-06-22
The Candidates

dressed the voters of Crawford county. on
Saturday last. Quite large concourse of
people were present, who manifested by
their quiet, attentive manner, determine
tion to give them q candid hearing. We
shall not attempt to give a report of their
speeches-not deeming it necessary, as all
who felt any interest in the contest, were
present.
Mr.. JOHNSON. lead off in speech of an
hour and a half, reviewing the proceedings
of the State Convention, which is claimed
by his opponent as being bogus. and not
binding on the Democratic paty-showing
to an uaprejudiced mind that this Conven-
tion was as fair as such assemblies usually
are, axd the largest, but one, that was ever
held in the State. He showed also, that
his opponents accepted the doings of part
of the Convention. rs sound Democracy,
and were up to this day supporting them
but at the same time were denouncing
him as the candidate of bogus Convention.
If one was part wong. all was wrong, and
they should denounce the whole
We ourselves. not having taken any part
II thc'swarfass between the swo wingsof
the party. pledged ourselves. honestly, and
unequivocally to support the nominees of
Democratic Conventions-National. State,
District, County, etc.-and We shall do SO,
and abide the consequences. IT the con-
vention system is wrong in principle, or in
its practical workings, discard it altogether
throw it overheard. But when men go
into convention, and signify their assent to
its action, they are in duty bound, by all
principles of honesty to submit to the will
of the majority. We perhaps, disliked the
nomination of Mr.. johnson, as much as
any one, and regretted. that at this time,
his friends should have asked it for him
not because We were opposed to Mr.. john
son. personally. for we had no acquaint-
ance with him-but because the personal
warfare wagcd between the two factions,
was running SO high, that we deemed it for
the harmony of the party, that some other
man should be selected. The Convention
assembled, thought different, and We sub
mitted to their decision, as all Convention
Democrats, having the best interest of the
party at heart, should do.
On the Pacific Railroad question, Mr..
johnson, declared himself in favor of the
35th Parallel route. and any thing he could
do to further its completion, as Governor
| of the State, if elected, would be done.
On the subject of State Aid, but little was
said. He was in favor of the State lend
ing aid to Internal Improvements, after the
State debt is paid. His plan for paying
the Indebtedness of the State was the most
practical of the two-under its workings,
however, it would be years before Internal
improvements would receive much help
from the State.
After discussing national politics, bank.
bobby, eto., for q short time, Mr.. johnson
gave away for
Judge RECTOR, who is a very good
speaker, has easy manners, and seemed to
make good impression on the public mind
He, like his opponent. discussed the State
Convention, denouncing it and proved to
his own mind. no doubt, that it was a libel
on the people, and disgrace to the State.
He denied that he was one of the family,
and that he had been in office for twenty
years past, as had been charged upon him
by the editor of the Fort Smith Parallel
and positively asserted, that between three
and four years. was all the time he had
held office of emolument in the State. He
too, was in favor Of the 35th Parallel route
for the Pacific Railroad, and granting State
aid to help build the Fort Smith and Little
Rock branch and if elected would do all in
his power to favor the policy of Internal
Improvements. His plan for paying the
State debt, and at the same time helping
the Railroad Companies. seemed to us
visionary and impracticable. On national
politics, there was no visible difference of
opinion, between them-both, we believe
endorsed the resolutions of the State Con-
vention. He said it had been charged on
him, that he was the Bank candidate, but
scorning the idea. flung it back upon
his accusers as q falsehood, and made some
ungenerous intimations, that would lead
the audience to infer, that Mr.. johnson was
in some way mixed up and indebted to the
Bank. through his fathers estate.
Mr.. Rector having occupied over two
hours, after thanking the audience for their
attention, sat down amid the applause of
the house.
Mr.. johnson made fev remarks in re-
ply to the insinuation of his opponent, in
regard to the Bank matters, land we regret
SO many had left tie house before he could
signify his intention to reply, disclaiming
ever having had any thing to do with these
or any other banks-never had received
dollar from them, and if his father was in
debted to the banks, he had in his will
made ample arrangement to pay sll-and
the estate now stood ready to cancel any and
all claims against it. He regretted that he
had no more time to reply to some of the
gentleman's assertions-but as it was get
ting late and many were anxious to start
home, he would forbear, and submit to the