The Van Buren press., 1860-02-03
Letter from washington County.
FAYErTEyILLE. Ark.
January so, 1889.

The first term of the Arkansas Collegt
students The exercises concluded with al
exhibition of original essays and deciama-
ton of the students. Space will not per
NIT the notice that it deserves, but it is dnt
to several of the students that honorable
mention should be made of their Efforts
There was great merit in the essays
:" Thoughts on the Past by j. II. Ham
burgh, of Mo- Virtue and intelligence
the Palladium of our country" by w. II
Marshall, of Fayetteville. " Arkansas and
its Future" by VIM. A Stevenson, of Fort
Smith. o. c. Rees, Of Kansas, stands
first among the declaimcrs ; his subject was
'' Natures voices the delivery was natu-
raj and exceedingly graceful. The essay
" Reputation" by E. j. Roberts Of La.
was an excellent production and was we'll
delivered. +. Calberson, of Lafayette CO.,
Ark, uttered "Emmctt's speech - with
much eloquence, displaying all tho energy
and fire that such patriotic sentiments are
calculated to inspire. The others acquit-
ted themselves very well, bnt those men
toned are entitled to high praise.
Except little excitement growing out o
the recent appointment of Post Master in
this place f; there is lull in politics in this
county. Simpson, the old and faithful
Post Master resigned a short time since
and MIR. \. Outzen, who has acted as as
sistant Post tMaster was recommended as
successor; but those who recommend him
not standing high in Col. Rindman's favor
he laid Outzen ON the shelf and appointed
one Moore. No such man lives in town
and only one family of Moores are known
in the county, who reside some six or sever
miles from our town. But few person!
took any interest as to who was appointed
all they wanted was a good postmaster
Now they are indignant that Hindmar
should select man who lives so far from
town, and who is believed to be wholly in
competent to perform the duties. 1t is
shabby trick for although Hindman ha
no friends in this place, he should not visi
his enmity on his constituents by an un
friendly exercise of delegated power Civ
en- him for their benefit, and not for thei
annoyance.
No election of Speaker, yet. Is this t.
be the last Congress at Washington The
Executive branch and the Senate worl
away as though these contests in the House
Were of small moment A.; but to us at a dis
tance it looks to us premonitory.
1t will not be long before the politician:
of Arkansas-big fry and small fry-wil
be :. schooling Conventions will be as
sembling little leaders will be hunchine
and wriggling and all kinds of appeal.
will be made to the honest delegates of tn,
democracy to sacrifice the wishes and go fol
the "interests )" OF their constituents
| our readers must not consider ne acrimo
Gus these things are only the little conse
qucnccs that flow from the best of institu
tions, and should not prevent good nomina
tions. OF all times this is the crisis t.
make good selections Among the aspi,
'i'." '''s'"~'' ,.vty rIIv.., 900.
ders, no doubt, recognize some who woult
not be their choice. They see here anC
there lazy, selfish, scheming, self-interest.
ed great man, and in another cunning in.
triguer, who is destitute of talents, but re.
markably lucky, whose lack Of public spir-
1t disgusts those who know them WELL
Under our free institutions these men hav,
the right to offer their scrvicesto the State
if we don't need these valuable services. all
we have 10 do is to say so to our delegates
Out of the many good men presented, il
will be our own fault if we do not make q
good selection. We want men Of ability,
energy and public spirit, to Eli our offices,
and we have such men among us. If such
requisites We're not to be found among those
who are presented, let US look among those
whose modesty has held them in the back
ground.
The Charleston Convention and the spec
uatiyc results seem to puzzle our political
wiseacres. l believe the Convention will
make a popular selection. The race will!
wind up between Dickinson and Brecken-
ridge or Dickinson and Lane and with ci
ther the Democratic party will elect their
President over the heads of the Republicans
and all others. Douglas cannot possibly
muster at any time, in the Convention over
12o votes, which is not majority, and
which cannot be increased and these votes
will all come from Republican States, ex-
'St'e hoiii IiiiiiolS, Iuuldud anu tennessee.
The legislatures of Virginia, South Car
olina, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas and
florida have taken high Southern grounds
in Federal Relations. The Legislatures Of
Tennessee and Maryland and Kentucky are
in session, but they have not responded to
to their southern sisters. The legislature
of Missouri has adjourned without adopting
any steps on the subject, but see that the
Governor is about to call them stogether
again. The legislature of Arkansas will
have the advantage of the progress of events
and public sentiment to guide its delibera-
tions. If there is necessity hope that body
will not be found wanting in spirit and pa
triotism to take the position that the inter
ests and honor of Arkansas demand. l
think that the press and the politicians OF
the State are culpably behind the people,
who manifest more spirit and independence
where the subject of southern rights arc dis
cussed than those who seek to lead public
sentiment REcospEn.
E.~f IL