The Van Buren press., 1872-01-23

Col. J. 4. Lockhart Of Van Burcn, ran in
on us on Tuesday afternoon, The colonel is
n red hot Republican, full Of life and vim, and
expects to make enough OF his slandcr suit
to build a $1,000 mansion in Van Buren,.
Democrats should be careful how they SLAM
der us honest mcn.-F. S. Patriot.
The above refers to slander suit institut-
ed by j. 4. Lockhart against ID. &. Williams,
both OF tlis place. As this was matter to be
settled by the Courts WE have hitherto made
no mention Of lt-deoming it best that the
ease should be tried on It's merits, without
newspaper controversy or influence one way
or the other, but as Mr.. Lockhart deemed it
beat as above, to make br0g Of the damages he
expects to get, We will simply state the cause
Of complaint. just before the election or
three School Directors in the Van Buren, Dis
trict, Mr.. " Williams, who is one OF the mem
bcrs OF the Board holding over, learning that
DR.. White, j. A. Lockhsrt and Henry French
were tplkcd of in opposition to John Austin,
A. VI. Callahan and IL. {. Ilayman, tall re-
publicane) went to Mr. Alvis Smith, patron
of the school and who he supposed had the
best interest OF the school at heart and bciev-
ing also that a candidate for ollice-a School
Director evcn-sAoud be like Cesars wife
above suspicion" Mr. Williams, by the way,
Is not politician or ho would not have felt
soJ, rcvvun.ea A. Sr,i.h, -h-s L- lad
heard In regard to the character and standing
of Mr., Lockhart, before coming to Van Buren.
deprocsting the election Of such a man to the
School Board. Mr.. Smith goe, to Nr. l.. with
Al sta pt e hui ~ Iil irI, d va
said. and thereupon grew out the sander suit
now pending in the Circuit Court
We never knew = man. and we have been
pretty observing in this matter to better his
character or retrieTe his fortune, BY rushing
into court for damages. Gen. Mcdonald, not
long since, Thought the Little Rock Gazette had
damaged his character to the extent of s30,-
coo by copying letter first published in our
paper, over the signature of E. c. Boudinot,
charging him, Mcdonald, with crimes, etc.
After long and careful trial, by tho court at
Little Rock, under the rulings Of tho judge
the jury found that Gen. Mcdonald was dam
aged to the extent of one dollar. Now, the
evidence produced by tie defendants on that
occasion, we venture to say, Gen. Mcdonald
would not have had published, as it was, for
$4,000, but it was n feast that he had invited
himself TO and there was no avoiding it. just
so 1t is, in all cases Of this kind-and II one
half Of the story 10 true, that is aloat, touch
ing the character Of Mr.. Lockhart, before lie
gets through with this slander business, in
stead Of looking to occupy a"SloooO man
sion at the expense Of Mr.. Williams, will be
willing to take less than the purchase money
Of aud occupy a residence IN the City Of the
Dead, 50 long and faithfully presided over
BY" Uncle Buck during his life, and cry for
tho over hanging rocks and mountains to fall
upon him and cover him from the face OF men
Mr. Williams 10 not 3 Dsmocrat-that is
where We and he dflered-nor was he poll
tician would have been better for him, We
think, ifwas somewhat tofsns-but straight
forward, honest man, and would not know
ingly say maliciously anything wrong ofany
man. And We predict he will come out this
trial honestly acquitted by a jury OF his coun-
tryman.