Arkansas true Democrat., 1860-02-29
For the True Democrat.
Mn. EDITOR
 Through the columns of "The Sontb

Mn. EDIToR-
 Through the columns of "The South Arkansas Democrat" you have doubtless learned, before tlii, that the democracy of Hampstead county have met in convention, and appointed delegates to cast the vote of the county in the next Congressional and State Conventions.
 The principal, or rather, most eminent aspirants for Congress in this district, are I believe, Dr. O. B. Mitchell and Mir. E. w. Gantt-both citizens of this county, and gentlemen of acknowledged ability.
 The delegates from this county have been instructed to vote for Dr. Mitchell; and not withstanding the great and apparently in tense dissatisfaction that has been expressed in regard to the proceedings of the conven- tion held on the Dist inst, (which dissatis- faction was mainly and almost exclusively expressed by some newspaper scribbler, charged with being a member of the K. N. order, every reasonable, consistent and un- p1ejudiced individual must be thoroughly convinced by this time, that it was an hon. est and fair expression of the voice of the democracy of Hampstead.
 The only reasonable plea in substantial tion of the charges to this effect, was that sufficient notice had not been given for the assembling of the masses.
 The day of further notice the 18th inst, has passed by, and there has been no rever- sion of the decision of the 2lst ult.: upon the contrary, the friends of the defeated as pirant and the hitherto dissatisfied of the party. are thoroughly satisfied that it Is the wish of the ma aority. of this county that their next representative in Congress, from this district, should be their able. distn guished, and worthy citizen, Dr. Mitchell. There having been a standing notice III the paper for another convention on the 18th inst, (which we believe was a day fixed upon by the friends of the defeated aspirant with view of annuling the proceedings ot the 2lst ult, ) curiosity induced us to re- pair to the place of appointment. And there we quickly learned by inaction on the part of the different townships, the unquai fled assent of the county was given to the decision of the convention of the 2lst ult.
 There being in attendance a large assem- bly, of the democracy prepared to ratlfy cen masse' the former proceedings, they repaired to the court house to bear an ad- dress from the two aspirants, upon the pen ding issues which, by mutual consent, we understood to be close of the scene in this county. We listened with deep interest to the remarks of the two gentlemen. All who heard must admit them to be gentle men of oratorical zeal and ability
 There were few points of material differ ence between the two aSpirants. There was one point, however, which emincntly at tracted our notice, and to which we feel fully justified in calling your attention.- Dr. Mitchell stated in his remarks in the outset, that he was canvassing for the nom- inaton of the Philadelphia convention, with a full and fixed determination to abide by the decision of that convention, with pro- mise, that in case he failed to receive the nomination, he would most cordially and willingly support with his utmost ability, the nominee, be he who he would; and called upon his opponent to state hts deter imitation upon that point. Whereupon MT. Can't remarked, that in his reoinder, he would answer the intelrogatory. And in his reioinder he stated that he would support the nominee, / he convention ecaS fur one.
 Now in all candor, we would ask, how is Mr Can't to determine whether the nomination is made fairly and squarely or not? Why qualify his promise in any such a way? When the convention meets, the delegates from more than twenty coun- ties in the State agree upon some gentle man, how is Mir. Can't or any one else to determine whether he has received the nomination fairly or not? If we are to judge from the captiousneSS manifested in regard to the convention of this county, we are compelled to believe that his inevitable conclusion will be, unless F. w. Can't re- ccives the nomination, 1t will be the action of a clique or faction of wire pullers plotting the destruction of the State If he profess ses to be a belierer in conventions, which all must admit to be the life blood and protec tion of democratic principles, why upon earth submit his name to the chances there of, with promise to abide ny its decision, accompanied by such silly proviso?- Protesting as he does to indorse the demo- cratic tenets, let us ask his support of the choice of a convention represented by dele gates from one half o! the State to be with held until he, Col. E. w. Can't can instl ute an investigation to determine, whether the convention was fair reflex of the will of South Arkansas? Has his support of the democratic nominees been h0herto ac- companied by such promises and provisoes, or has he more at stake at present. which is calculated to cause him to watch with such an argus eye the proceedings of con ventons? The answer to these various ln- terrogatories we will submit to your readers.
 Mr. Gantt's answer to the above question as propounded by Dr. Mitchell was almost literally as stated, for the truth of which many attentive auditors on the occasion will unhesitatingly vouch.
 SPECTATORS.
 Wash,ngton, Ark,., Feb 20, 1860.