The Van Buren press., 1860-03-30
For The Van Buren, Press

FAYETTEVILLE, ARA, March 81. 1850.
Mn. j. S. DUSHAM-Dear Sir: | want
to make q suggestion to school teachers,
namely: when catc:his ing their class in Ge-
ography, this question should be asked !:
For what is the State Of Arkansas noted 2"
the s;ulsn: Will unhcs,tatingIy answer
Principally fos G most invetcrate propen-
slty OF It's inhabitants for newspaper writ
ing manitesting its,,f upon all occasions. ="
Napoleon calls Englanl nation of shop
keepers. We are empha;i ally a nation Of
newspaper scribolcr>. In this we take
the lead and run far head of all others We
have no competitors IN this line Of business.
We are the =" ne plus ultra
! seized my pen for the purpose Of giving
vou a few items from our mountain city.
What shall il be about? Politics ? tue field
is already filled to overiiowing, and the cry
is, L" still they come" All other subjects
diminish into comparative insgnilicancc and
arc laid aside for more cong,nial times. 1t
is TO be hoped that the political writers will
devote their time AM talents to the al
vancemcnt Of the prosperity Of their State,
and cease that fratricitlal war which is now
waget with such unrclcn;iny fury. The
Democracy of our State, instead oil being
split up into factions should stand united
AMI present an unbrokcn front to the enc
my, who are now arming for terrible con
ilict. We will have to contend not only
with the Black Republicans Of the North
but also the old Wing pa-sy licl is being
reSuScitated under the cor mani of men OF
great influence and power, WHO Ill bear to-
ward the democracy hatred vituicat and
unconquara These parties in the North
are making efforts to form a coalition, for
since the Harpers Ferry affair, the Ecpub-
licans iinl a reaction is taking place all
over the North, and are now crying out for
help. Ii this coalition does not succeed, the
Union party, as they call themselves, both
north and south, made up of all opposed to
the democrav, viii bring out candidate on
the track. anl again in 1860 the spectacle
OF triangular fight will again present it
self. in whi: n we will have to contend with
both the other parties to very great ex
tent. The Black Republicans a, an organ
ization rrc not known in this State, but it
Is apparent to all that the followers of Clay
and Webster are by no means contemplate
in point OF numbers. and will doubtless
rally for the fight, although knowing their
scious strength, we should not remain list
| less and inactive, or divided into factions
but should be up and doing. as though the
foe were worthy Of our steel. The party
should at all times b, ready in full force to
stand up to the defence of its principles
however weak the enemy may be who as
sails their principles.
The public mind is again being aroused
on the sutje't of internal inpgovem ,ntS
and it seems that railroads are talkcl of to
the exclusion Of all other kini OF improve
ments. Now, while do not oppose the rail
road system when properly set on foot,
desire to call the attention of the people of
north west Arkansas to a matter that WAS
once talked Of, and would doubtless have
succeeded but for the opposition at that
time of few old foyies. | mean the con-
struction OF good M.Alamizcd road from
this city to Van Buren. This may look like
sliding back into the dark ages, rolling the
car of progression back wards, but it is as
plain as daylight that we cannot build a
railroad connecting the two cities at this
time We have not the capital and / am
wel-satisfied the people will not submit
to taxation to pay heavy interest on mon
ey borrowed from foreigners. l do not
make the proposition to discourag, the con
struction of a Rail Road. for if both were
built their. interests would not conflict ma
terially. The heavy emigration from the
north to the south, travellers, horse droveS
and others. would be quite sufficient to
keep up the road. Not less than three thou
sand wagons, besides horses. sheep and mules
innumcrable crossed the Arkansas river last
fall at different points. This custom would
all be concentrated on orr road and cross
at Van Buren,, if the proper inducements
were held out. This is the great thorough