The Van Buren press., 1872-01-09

u The Van Buren Press copies the false
hoods about the levee bonds from the Journal
without comment In visw of the fact that
the Journaiis 10 proved guilty OF falschood and
shat the State has never been dsfraudvd OF 4
d>llm, We consider the Van Buren, Press ~
tsyiAS itself liable TO be called to account for
publishing what is we'll known as an explod-
ed falschood.--L, Il. RTubiican.
Ills certainly very kind, of the Little Rock
Republican. In calling our attention to tho ar
tcle copied from the Journal OF the same city
Ne shall never, knowingly, publish what i
false Ia regard to anv one. But II comes it'll
athcr poor grace for paper whose pages
day afer day, contain most libclous anu de.
fAmatory articles towards members ofits own
Party,to to caution us against being led estray
and being made liable for coping what either
may say Of the other.
IL 10 not so clear, hewevcr, to our mind. In
the matter referred to by the Rspu6iican, that
the Levee Commissioner, 10 altogether blame
iess In this levos bond business-but look,
like making poor unfortunate Haymayer 4
Escape goat" for sll Shortcomings, now he
tsdead. Asa Journalist We shall never hssi-
tate to scrutinize the acts Of public officials
when We are satisfied they are corrupt, re-
Rardless Of the consequences. And we are
not ready to believe that the press Of Arkan-
sV are to be "over-awed and muzzled" by
threats Of prosecution for so doing. We find
In the Memphis Appeal. an article that 90
clearly expresses our sentiments on this sub
yect We copy below:
PERsoHALIiIEs.--When 4 man becomes a
candidate for office his conduct and character
w office or In private life becomes legitimate
subjects OF public criticism. He proposes,
when he comes before the public In this ca
pacity, that his personal worth and history
shall be closely scrutinized. The poor and the
rich, or the poor who have suddenly become
rich, when seeking prefsrmsnt, the good and
bad alike must undergo this ordeal otherwise
the knaves Of the country would surely rule
t. and society become intolsrable.
/, Therefore the cry Of persecution avails q
candidate nothing. lie voluntarily seeks the
place to which he aspires, and It Is the duty
Ofthe people to discuss, not only his character
and conduct. but his whole history should be
given. When a candidate goes simperng
about, and with fearful eyes telling people
that he ID the victim OF persecution. 1t would
be well first to inquire whether tears cost him
mole than smiles, and whether the water does
not how ~ easily a. smiles are made to
brighten his face. There is no justification
OF exposures Of the weak nesses or vices OF pri-
vate individuals. unless the wrongs they do
affect the public; but let this wrong doer pro-
pose to become = public representative of pub
lie morals, and there is no ssnctity investing
either his public or private deeds. This is the
age Of reform. The people have resolved that
honest men shall govern the country. Par
ties are adrift at sea, without helmsmen, and
the leading idea Of the day is the necessity for
honesty In the execution ofpublic trusts. The
people have borne enough ut the hands Of
public plundersrs, and ho who aspires to
place will now 1nd faultless fame and private
personal worth indisl ensable prerequisites to
oucCess,