The Van Buren press., 1867-10-11
James Greig-Thomas n. Bowen.
Choose ye, between them

Choose ye, between them ."
When the people approach an election of so
much moment as ibc one now ordered for the
first Tuesday in next month, II becomes them
to look well to the merds of the men, put for
ward or who thrust themselves forward, for
their votes. The destiny of Arkansas for veal
or woe hangs upon the result of the coming
eiection.' The question, momentous indeed to
ms whether We will fully accept negro equal
ity and afliliation, fall into the foul embrace
of Radicalism, OF with true manhood and
praiseworthy dignity ofchsracter, "snffer the
Ills We have rather than rush to those we
know not or'-whether We will defianily
stand by the Constitution and demand it and
nothing turther--make it the alttp,a thule, or
cringingly bow 10 the behests Of dshonor so
speciously offered by the Military Reconstruc-
tion measures. None can deny the vast I'M
portance of these questions and none can con-
scienciously deny that they are directly in
volved In the present contest. 1t behooves us.
then, to compare the relative merits and de-
merits of the men wio are likely to offer for
theyotes of the people. a Ia#r
Lilello JAMES GREIG, Esq, ..H'
will in all probability be the standard bearer
Of the party who demands the rights Of Con-
stitutional liberty; called the Conservative
party" The party pledged to the prcserva-
ton of the Constitution Mr. Greig is one of
uioer pes of mankind found but Seldom
Without vanity or ostentation, he humbly fol-
lows his plough at his home on Lees Creek,
keeping far away from the heat and dust of
the political arena 4 sound thinker, of cor
rect Judgment, stern integrity, and solid pat
riotism the people now call him, like Cincin-
natus, from his plough, to abandon his quiet
retreat and lead the bands of the Conservative
party. on to victory. Mr. G. Is a resident of
twenty years or more, of this county, a prop
erty holder, fully identified with the interests
of the people of this county, and who would
suffer his right arm severed from his body, be-
fore he would sell himself to any party, mere
ly to be on the strong side. With him love of
justice is principle and numbers cannot in
huence lis action. Desiring no political pre-
ferment he has no motive for self-debasement
and cannot be male the tool of any man or
party. The interests of Crawford entrusted
to him would be safe, and all may rest assur-
ed that his action in the Convention, if elect
cd will be for the good of the whole people.
He Is called from his retirement by the voice
ofthe people and the exigencies of the times.
lie would never have thrust himself forward
for the votes of his fellow-citizens. Such a
bo,
with every impulse of his nature. Having
none ofthe elements of the demagogue and
oiHce-hunter he would spend his life In OBJ
scurity, were 1t not for the fact, that the peo-
pie knew his worth and felt the want of such
men at this critical juncture. Ifcntrusted
with the standard of his party and favored by
the voice Of the people, he will make us
faithful servant and we need have no appre-
tensions Of his changing with the political
breeze.
-. Gen. THOMAS NJ. BOWEN,
Fresh from dclectable Kansas, is the self con-
stituted standard bearer of the Radical party.
This party demands the behests of Congress
to be obeyed, even though in violation of the
Constitution. 1t upholds Congress in all its
unjust aud tyrannical legislation; in its vir-
tual abolition of all power in the Executive;
in iu unjust and iniquitous tariff and revenue
laws; in its absolute oppression Of the people
ofthe South, whether Radical or Conservative,
by the Nillainous cotton-tax in Its abomina-
bly, extrayagant expenditure of the peoples
money IN its Job work" to enrich fayorites;
in its tyrannical military bills, which If ac-
cepted, virtually amend and destroy State in
dividuality In its shameful conduct concern
ing the freedmen, having fed them in idlcness,
giving them bad name among the whites,
and after the election, as in Tennessee, driv-
Ing them from the Commissaries and refusing
10 feed them any longer, leaving them with
cut friends, and turning them over to the hor-
rid keeping Of famine, crime, misery and
death; and finally, In its support and counte-
nance Of men like, Ashley, Butler d Co. after
their open conviction before the bar of the
country, Of the most iniquitous, and infamous
combination with convicted perjurer, to Inn
peach the Chief Executive These are the
tenets ofthe party, whose representative now
before the people, Is Thomas NJ. Bowen. How
taIiit 1c w w VIC stsitudlu DcuIcrf NO one
so far as We are informed, ever even invited
him to come out and lead the party. On the
contrary, Mr.. Bowen prepared and had print
cd large number Of handbills calling on the
people OF Crawford to come forward, and hold
Convention. This call he put forward as
Chairman ofsome Committee, how he became
~ We cannot say. Dell says the Committee
WAS ull Ioyds and Dell ought to know. tall
events Bowen succeeded In having tia Con-