The Van Buren press., 1874-09-15

slowed upon me. Your overture Is WITHOUT
the slightest solicitation on my part. YET un,
der the peculiar circumstances which exist,
deem it better and more honorable to decline
a nomination. dictated in some measure by
feeling of gratitude as well as regard to the
public good; consulting at the same time my
own tastes and interests in preferring to re-
tire to the duties and privileges OF private
life. leaving you to confer the honor OF your
choice on some more worthy person. promis-
ing at the same time to exercise Ior the briei
residue of my term the same vigiience ana
fidelity which have strven for In the past
In connection. permit me again to return
to you my sincefe thanks. and to express
through You to the convention, and TO the
people at large. the gratifying and confident
hope which ! entertain. that the adoption or
the new constitution may be the beginning OF
Il new and better order OF things; an era OF
greater pros perity; of less discord and parti-
san hostility; of laws wisely enacted and I'M
partially administered; more general ana
thorough education; growing amelloratlon
and refinement of life. and all the blessings
of an advancing civilization.
remain, very respectfully yours,
ELISHA BANTER
During the reading Of the letter there
was frequent applauding When that
part was reached where the governor de
cIines the nomination there was immense
cheering, and cries of "hes the biggest
man in the state.
Cheer after cheer went up for Baxter
after the letter was read.
Mr. Coffin said. he was instructed by
the governor to say he would co operate
with the people;as represented in this
convention and fully indorsed their plat
fo.m.is'He said he did nat give expires
sion TO these sentiments before because
he saidhe could not declines nomination
before it was rendered. He regarded
Elisha Baxter as both the father and the
savior of Arkansas.
Mr. Cravens said he told Baxter he
worked in the convention, and did all
against him he could to defeat him BaX,
ser stated to the committee that he re-
garded it as the best interest of Arkan
sas that he should not accept the nomi
nation rendered him
Mr. Met j.. Jones, of Jefferson, moved
that Baxter be nominated second time
by acclamation.
Mr. Cook, of Lafayette, said Baxter
was not the man he thought he was. He
had placed himself higher above any
thing than he thought lie was capable of
doing, and he wanted right now o
change his. vote and make the nomina-
ton Of Elisha Baxter unanimous. Great
applause
Mr.. Mitchell, of Johnson, said he had
desired his vote to be so recorded as to
show he voted against Baxter-he de.
sired now to change that vote for Baxter
Applause.
Mr. Parks, of Lafayette, said three
cheers for Elisha Baxter! In his decli
nation he has risen far above any party
ism, and he asked that his vote be
changed to Baxter. Cheers.
Mr.. McCabe, of Clark, said he came
here thinking there was no combination
of circumstances that would make him
vote for Baxter. but he was for him now,
first, lastand all the time. Great cheer
ing
Mr. Wilcox, OF Crawford, said no man
had desired the defeat Of Baxter more
than he had have said repeatedly if
Baxter relieved the people simply for sell.
ggrandizement, that | could not sup
port hin: and !yw0uld nos have felt my
self bound to support him under the
nomination here. this evening say
now, if it is desired simply as a compli-
ment, that the vote shall be made unani-
nous, | will not'stand back He thanked
God that Baxter had stepped out of the
way He stands head and shoulders
above all the men in the state; he would
go home happy man. He withdrew
his protest and vote in the negative, and
recorded the vote of Crawford for Elisha
Baxter. ....
Mr.. Davidson. of Washington county,
said he now realized what to him was a
mystery before-why it was that when
the people of the northwest came here
they became Baxter men. He came here
preudced against Baxter, but he now
how it was that these people
stood by Baxter, and he was proud to
withdraw the vote of Washington coun.
ty against him and to record it for Elisha
Baxter.
Dir. Felker, Of Franklin, said he had
fought Baxter and voted against him.
He was now prepared to 90 for him, and
so changed the vote of Franklin.
Mr. Cunningham, of Lincoln, said he
separated with his delegates on the vote
for Baxter. He now withdrew his oppo.
sition, and was for Baxter first, last and
all the time.
Ouachita changed her vote to Baxter.
Mr.. Murphy, Of Ashley, desired that
his county be restored to her place in
the convention. She desires to change
her views in regard to Elisha Baxter. Ii
is certain now that our county was mis-
taken in the character of the man. We
desire to take The bull by the horns. and
20 for Elisha Baxter-lhe savior of his |
state Elisha Baxter, at this, the eleventh
hour, is preferred by the people Of ASH
ey county above all others Great
cheering.
Mr. Carlton moved as Ashley had re.
)en,ed she be rcbaptized and received.
Laughter
Mr. Brown, Of Crawford, said he came
rom ~ ,psuAion of the stateTwhere the an.
i.Bsxtr eople we're the, strongest, and
he imagined errors were heaped upon
him. tried Gov. Baxter, and | knew
le was right knew he was working
or the people of Arkansas. | have
stood by him all the time. and am
proud of it My warmest friends have
Uttered with me on this question, think.
ng | was actuated by mister motives.
found Elisha Baxter to be the friend of