The Van Buren press., 1860-10-19
Not So.

| Not So.
The Parallel of the 18th inst. in MOTTO
ing the recent murder committed in that
city. falsely says that the Press has insinu-
ated to the Choctaw people to avoid Fort
Smith. We challenge the Elitor to point
out line or word that could be construed in
any such manner. We thought then, as
we still think, that the crimes charged
against Owen and the Choctaw Indian did
not justify the end resorted to, and as a
publisher Of an independent newspaper. ex-
pressed ourselves as we did. Ifthe citizens
of Fort Smith are satisfied with the course
pursued-if their conscicnces are>clcar oi
responsibility. and if they think tn, act
Ijustifiable. they certainly should have no
objection to the facts being made known to
the outside world. We did not, to be sure
justify the acts. beliefing that if the crime
of stealing horse had demanded death, the
wise Legislators of the State would hay
made statute to that effect We should
not have referred to this matter again, only
forthe purpose of tefuting the assertion that
we have attempted to injure Fort Smith
We have not the least wish or desire, by
either word or action. to detract from il,
well known character. &
We give the Parallel article entire. that
our readers may see how the Editor of that
paper looks upon such transactions, and,
also. that they may know tho character ol
the leaders that have placed the stain upon
the fair fame of our sister city. 1t is Just
such characters that would unblushingly
charge honest men with incendiarism, and
cause lasting reproach to be heaped upon
. stainless city
READ Tms.-For some time past there
has been disposition with few men in
this community, to create a difficulty with
us, and 20 throw the responsibility Of the
affair upon some willing tool of theirs-and
at last, it seems that Willard Ayres, the no.
torious assassin, has been selected to annoy
us. Now, all we have to say about this
matter, will be said, not behind the backs
of the party, but will be said in such way
as not to be misunderstood. So far as SAID
Ayers is concerned, we have this to say
that he is known in this, community as q
bad man, and any slander that comes from
him will find but little support outside o
his base and cowardly crowd. We stand
erect and walk erect in this community and
do not fear the power of any man, much
less that of Willard Ayrcs. Let those who
are setting this bloodhound upon us, come
out and show themselves. We have been
repeatedly told that Ayers has said that we
set fire to the Post-office, and thereby caus.
ed the recent destructive fire in this place
If nothing but our life will appease the
men who have robbed us of our property
and beggared our family, and now desire to
make us appear infamous in the communi-
ty, why the sooner we know it, the better
we shall be prepared to meet our fate. Ii
such men as Willard Ayers is to rule this
country, we shall not submit. We are yet
free. and shall remain SO as long as we are
permitted to sojourn on Gods green
earth. The cowardly assaults made on us
through this bloodhound only goes to show
how wreckless and desperate is the cause of
our enemies. 1t is somewhat strange that
men W ho profess to be gentlemen and who
should guard the fair fame of our city,
should be so far forSctful of their duty to
themselves and the community as to pat
such man as Willard Ayres up as the reg
ulator of society. Great God, has it came
to this, that the law must be tramplaI under
foot, and murder made the order of the dav
If this is to be the law under which this
community is to live and be governed, we
say now emphatieally that the oppression
wi Ill not to h,,tttol
The deeds that have been done in our
community within the last few days will
cling to our city as a lasting reproach, and
will be felt for years. We are perfectly sur
prised that old residents of Fort Smith
should look on with cold indifference, and
see the future prospects of Fort Smith bias
ted by the acts of blood thirsty villain.
Already has the news gone abroad that Fort
Smith has been disgraced, while the Van
Buren, Press, ever ready, as it is, to take
advantage of any mishap to our city, insin-
yates to the people of the Choctaw Nation,
to avoid this city. We have already heard
the murmuring of the distant storm, and it
may come upon us before We are aware OF
it-and the innocent will have to suffer for
the acts Of the guilty-we could say much
more and think it our duty to say what we
have, to partly vindicate our citizens from
the reproach which designing persons wish
to hold the whole community responsible.
A large and much better portion Of the cit
liens of Fort Smith are opposed to mob
law they do not wish to protect horse
there's, or rascals of any kind at the same
time they wish to see the law put in force
If it is not sufficient to protect society
make it so as to give protection, and save
US from mob violence"