Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-09-26
THE srrUArrox II ARKANSAS.

4W 49,
THE SITUATION ~ ARKANSAS
The outlook, politically in Arkansas
presents a picture by no means latter
ing to the honor if not the success Of the
state Democratic ticket in our neigh
boring Commonwealth. While the
Radical element, which is the sworn
and persistent enemy of good govern
ment, is partially demoralized, the De
mocracy Of the State is pretty generally
at sea. The poison of inordinate desire
of office is working cut its legitimate
paralysis of the body polite ver the
river as it threatens to do in Tennessee.
sfToo many cooks will spoil the broth"of
the party dinner, whether that party be
Radical OF Liberal, Minstrel, Brindle
OF Conservative, and justnow our trans
Mississippi friends seem to have a super
abundance of cooks in their political
cuisine. We were told in August last
that the proposed union Of Brindles,
Liberal Republicans, Democrats and
Conservatives, would sweep the curse of
Claytonism from the State as with a
bosom of destruction, and when the
Democratic-C Conservative State Conven-
ton met, and with united hands and
scarcely a dissenting voice flung the
Reform banner to the breeze with the
name of Joe Brooks inscribed thereon,
Al N-1.--,aI A,EI,I fhA ffhfnpg
ofanticipated victory of the people over
the politicians from m end of the land
TO the other. We were told that the
Clayton faction almost gave up the
ghost, and in sack cloth and ashes be-
walled their impending fate, while the
cry of Honest men for Office and
thieves to the rear!!n was heard from
Fulton to Gainesville, from the Missis-
sippi river to the Indian Territory. But
there Is nothing more transitOry than
fame, nothing more evanescent than
popular appreciation; and it seems now,
if rumor isto be credited, that the popu-
lar Outburst Of applause at the action of
the convention, like Mr.. Plantamour's
comet, is to amount to little more than
dumb show and noise. Another Goa
lition is 10 be had, another ticket is to
lie put in the field, another pet ring tc
he formed, rewarding its OWL members,
advancing its W peculiar views of
emoluments in Office, with an eye re-
ligiOusly and periodically single to
the greater good of the greater
number, which, of course, is number one.
The State Convention held at Little
Rock on the ninth Of August last was a
large and respectable assemblage. The
decision Of that body was reached after
full discussion, mature deliberation and a
thorough survey of the situation. Brooks,
it was well understood, was accepted as
the leader Of the coalition, and the plat
form Of his party was accepted and in
dorsed with hearty applause by a large
majority of the convention. There
were congratulations at the pretty CAPT
tai city Of the State over the result.
Champagne bottles were uneorked and
glasses tipped in honor of the return Of
the era Of good feeling, and the CONVEX
sion Of the Reverend Joseph to the true
faith. The people at home heard the
news with mingled, it may be conflict
ing, feelings Of pride and regret. If there
was dissatisfaction or dissent, it as
sumed no appreciable form, nor did
it reach the outside world through the
medium Of any tangible avenue, or is
sue from any organized popular source.
This silence was conclusive, it estOpped
the constituencies represented in the
State Convention from any subsequent
dissenting action. How then can the
be true that another ticket, upon
which the name Of Joseph Brooks viii
not be found, is to be put in the ield2
What will the gentlemen who partici-
pated in the speeches, votes and resolu-
tons Of the August convention think
Of a new ticket? How about the fair
Of the Democracy Of Arkan-
sas, if it should thus ''go back" on Mr..
Brooks? CerteS we live in lively times
times whose frolicsome moods and
lenses may make the unthinkinglaugh,
though they cannot but make the judi
sious grieve. How long would a party
last that forfeits its bond Of honor? How
.Ong will popular confidence be placed
IN a party faithless to its pledges? We {,
trust the people Of Arkansas will {
Use superior to the politicians {
n this behalf. 1t is too late now =,
% do aught else than abide the issue. I
a clear majority of twenty-three 1
thousand in a popular vote Of n hun {
lred and three thousand, what has Ar I
KANSAS to fear? She might have. easily
riumphed without any outside aid, but t
ince her State Convention has pledged !
Ter to the support Of Joseph Brooks and c
all the dictates Of party honor t
orbid a desertion Of him now. What q
.ver happens, let the honor Of the State 8
'e preserved. The example Of Clayton n
hould not be followed. Respect for OBJ Il
assumed should be paramount 81
o any temporary success Of party. A q
riumph purchased at the expense of 3
.arty honor is worse than an honorable ri
efeat. Let the glorious banner of our n
and our party not be trailed in II
be mire ofRadical example. What OBJ L
cations did Radicalism ever respect? :,
What bond could bind it? Victory can II
e achieved. and orr hammer still xVava -
-ithout a stain of dishonor dimming the Y
Of fits ~blazonry Of stars. I'd