The Van Buren press., 1872-09-03
MINSTREL MEETING LAST SATUR
DAY NIGHT.
Judge Baxter, Senator Clayton and El'
hanan Searle Harangue the Crowd.
Gen. ii. +. ThOmasOn the "Bull in
the China shop"

Inc Minstrel concern called meeting al
the Court House. on Saturday evening the
3lst ultimo, for the purpose of giving the
chief tuglemen of that party an opportunity
to pipe to the people of Van Buren. The
meeting was large one composed Of all
shades of political faith.
.lugde Baxter, Minstrel candidate for Gov
ernor, senator Clayton Gen. Thomason and
Judge Searle, the Highland Piper, delivered
addresses.
Judge Baxter opened the ball in an hours
speech and Il lame thing it was. He made Il
great many fair promises. He promised re-
duction Of high salaries, dimunition Of inutile
Offices and just and impartial administra-
ton of all laws to all citizens and an economi-
cal government. But this Minstrel crew are
as famous for being faitiless to the perform
ance of pledges as they are for making them
and hence the Judges fair talk and pledge.
OF fidelity will deceive nobody. He labored
hard to convince his audience that Hon. Jos.
Brooks, the Reform candidate for Governor
is dishonest. He would f,in f,sten the
enactment Of all the odious and iniquitous
laws upon Mr. Brooks. The Judge thus de
string. evidently. to divert the minds of the
people from the points at issue, Such clap
had not, ~ none of the Minstrel speakers
have. the temerity to attempt the defense Of
the State administration.
SENATOR CLAYTON
Was next called upon, who responded in a
miserable attempt at speech lie indulged in
such buIloonery and clownish performances
AS only pleased the coored hearers and must
have thoroughly disgusted every intelligent
man present.. He spent his time in endeav
orng to convince the audience that Hon.
Joseph Brooks is as corrupt as he himself
hoping, no doubt thereby t. prevent the De-
mocracy from supporting Joseph Brooks
The people know well who are the authors
OF the unjust laws of the State, who are re-
sponsible for all the hcllish acts perpetrated
by the Minstrels party, during its reign in
Arkansas. The Senator reckons without his
host, If he thinks the masses will swallow
such stuff. lie may as well make up his mind
to see his man Friday, Baxter next Novem-
Der, routed " horse, foot and dragoon.
DULL IN THE CHINA SHOP"
1t was plain that the MInstrels had no de-
sire to divide time with their opponents, as
they did not offer to do so in the outset. AS
soon as Clayton left the stand tremendous
yell was raised tor Hugh f. Thomson. The
Minstrcls then very reluctantly yielded a
ebor, t;mo to Mr. And haayepst what a
smashing there was OF crockery. lie began
by recitng the little bargain and sale story,
in which Jas. NJ. johnson. candidate for Sec
retary Of State on the Minstrel ticket, was
the commodity and Powell Clayton was the
purchaser. He asked the Senator to explain
this little transaction. Mr. T. told how it
happened Clayton was elected to the U. =
Senate lie wanted the Senator to explain
how much he paid to 60 to the Senate Mr.
7. showed up the election frauds perpetrated
by Chy,on's tools, In Hot Spring county, in
1870. lie threw hot shot into the corruption
ists for about thirty minutes. and such squlrni-
ing and twisting of MinstrelS | never before
witnessed. lie was fairly dcmoli,liing the
Senator. VIII. II some OF his strikers called
time" on him, but he gave them few
hroad-side shots, scattering Minstrel crock.
cry terribly, before leaving the stand.
SENATOR CLAYTON
Arose to respond but was too badly crippled
He foundercd around and tried in vain, in
Il clustering manner to explain away the
charges of election frauds. lie explained
to his own satisfaction how he was elected
Senator. but the webb was too thinly woven
to hide the fact that he paid dearly for the po.
siton. But he adrotly omitted to say one
word in explanation of the very strange
transaction between Secretary johnson and
himself The Senator after feeble effort to
defend his Administration sub,ided.
THE HIGHLAND PIPER.
Judge Elhanan Scarle, better known as
Highland Piper, came forward and hegar
throwing himself in varons attitudes, hi:
hair di>heyelcd, teeth gnashcd. eyes flashed
lire. and he Iaved and frothed at the mouth
so. that the RefOrners were reminded ofwhai
Brltton said in his speech in 1870 about the
Highland Piper being subject to fits. and re-
tired from the scene. leaving him in the hand.
of his friends. and some one not understand.
ing the situation. was unkind enough to give
As his reason for leaving. that he did not wish
o, ho,r a ,r,zv man sneak r. r. EoRMFn