Arkansas true Democrat., 1860-03-21
call for tho Facts and the Proofs.

:. the Johnsons." MT. Peek chooses his own questions, with what discretion is no affair of. ours, and we insist on fair hear ing and argument, before rendition or judgment. He is waging war begun by his chief, and taking all for granted that has been told him, he deals out his denun- ciations and abuse with all the certainty of gospel truth.
 He has been inspired with the spirit of prophecy, and foretells the doom over hanging the heads of his unfortunate VIC tins; his correspondents, infected with the grace he has spread abroad, degrades good old Methodist hymn with parody, and sings,
 "The day has come, the great averaging day.,
 When Johnson's glories in the dust shall lay. While we might think this an improve ment on Danley. and grade inferior only to Borland, we intend to call Mir. Peek from the realms of poetry and fiction, general vituperation and abuse, down to the facts of the case and his argument.
 Robert w. Johnson, one of the demo- cratic senators from this State, and the eldest of the Johnsons, and the only one occupying political station, we propose to take up first Mir. Peek has indicted them together-we sever, have the right-and now call upon him to take up the public character of Robert w. Johnson.
 MT. Peek has placed him on his trial, let him be tried. We dare him to go to trial on each one separately, and show what offences they have been guilty of that they should be branded as public malefac- tors. Insinuation and abuse carry no weight. If he desires to hasten "the great averaging day." he must submit to the democracy facts established by proof conclusive.
 Robert w. Johnson is our brother, but when it becomes necessary in his absence from the State, to defend him from attack, we have no delicacy in coming forward.
 We pledge our word to Mir. Peek that, when he has finished the discussion of the political crimes of Robert w. Johnson, that we will then agree to submit our own record to the ordeal.
 Mir. Peek has been assailing by editorial, a "family dynasty" thick headed set of stock jobbing politicians, etc., and has, though called upon, never had the manli- ness to come out and call names and specify offences. His paper of late, from its genY ral tenor, forces us to believe that it meYhs |" the Johnsons.'
 What has R. w. Johnson done to for felt the confidence heretofore r8osed in him by the democratic party aDd the peo- pie of Arkansas? Is he grsSping in his ambition, and does he seek to tyrannize over them, as Mr. Peek Would lead all to believe? No. The Solitary fact that he has declined to again appear a candidate for political station, gives such an imputa- ton the falsehood. We we'll know that he wishedfo retire from the service of the peoplo4uietly and without parade or affec- tation of patriotism. It seems he can only withdraw under volley from new and almost unknown set of enemies.
 But he is arraigned for trial by Mir. Peek, and we dare him to come down to facts and quit fiction. Does Mir. Peek insnuate that he is one of the "thick headed set," who are engaged in bartering off the of fees of the State?" Surely it is of so re- cent date that any of the editors friends here can tell him, that it was his chief who came here to oversee the legislature, last session, and engaged in caucuses. intrigues and stratagems, to "barter off the offices of the State" Robert w. Johnson never visited Little Rock during the session, and refused to take part in any election.
 Does Mir. Peek desire to take up his con- gressional record? If he intends to resort to argument and facts we know of no other way to gratify him or meet him. We can not return his fire with his sort of amuni- tion. Abuse and denunciation harms no one but the author. Has he failed in his duty to the State since his election to the House or the Senate? If so, Mr. Peek will be able to prove it from the Congress sional Globe If he has not copy we have, and he can come and investigate to his hearts content.
 Has he failed in his devotion to the de- mocratic party-violated any principle or usage of the party? If so, his votes and speeches are of record and AIr. Peek can in form the people.
 Mir. Peek owes it to truth and to justice to cease his geneial aspersions, at least until he has proven those whom he arraigns be- fore the bar of public opinion, guilty of such offences as merit his censure. If he values the opinion of that public, whose in dignation he invokes upon the heads of others and that old and tried democrats, we would in all kindness advise him to accom- pany his charges or insinuations with the proofs. n
 If Mir. Peek refuses to take up the case of each Johnson separately and investigate public characters, he will fail in the expec- tations he has raised in the public mind.
 If either of them have committed public or political wrong, the testimony can be collected here, for here has been their only home. They are but common men and claim no exemption from the laws which govern us all. The press has the right to scrutinise their acts, and comment upon them. But when they are singled. out for prescription and oppression, MT. Peek will find that the people will not condemn to please him, or Mr. Hindman, the real author, but will "render their verdict according to the law and the facts" Let the prosecution commence under separate indictments, we