The Van Buren press., 1874-06-09
Baxter Or Brooks.

This, it is evident, will be the issue
from this on in the election now at hand
and there is no use of trying TO dis
guise it or to shrk the responsibility
We for one do not propose to do it. Mr..
Brooks is said to have publicly an.
nounccd, recently, that he would spare
no efforts to get control of the Office of
Governor Of the State The order has
gone forth from Little Rock to send
none but Brooks men to the Convention.
And why attempt to secure Brook $
Convention? We will tell you, that if
they are successful that they may again
attempt the overthrow of Gov. Baxter
The Little Rock Republican has al.
ready foreshadowed what they would do;
II the; can gain possession Of a majority
Of Brooks men in the Convention-that
is. TO declare the Office of Governor va.
cant and install "Old jos.
We were in hopes that the issue be
tween Baxter and Brooks was at rest,
after the Proclamation of President
Grant, and that the people would select
men for the Convention without regard
to their former opinions--but The Brooks
"oflice seekers ring of this place were
determined that it was Brooks man or
none, and that that question should not
be ignored. And as an evidence of this
fact. we publish below, from the Little
Rock Gazette, the following circular let
ter, signed by men, officers in the late
Brooks rebellion, setting forth that the
Brooks uen were determined to get CON
troll Of the Convention, NJ all hazards:
Oh. poor Robinson Crusoe
Why in the world did you do 80
We have received the letter published be-
low from the person to whom it was address
ed, and II Is worthy Of perusal and reflection
The erasue. as we read 1t, is In any emcrg
ency," In place Of which is substituted "use
all fair and honorable means" The gentle
man to whom the letter was addressed was
aboul as much misunderstood by the cores
poadents as public sentiment in the state Is.
IL the gentleman comes fully prepared to
explain" We do not suppose it will advance
the cause Of The correspondents much. Char
itably considered, the letter may be regarded
~ last effort to cover up the inglorious fail.
ure Of Brooks. Oh, where is the committee ?
Why don't 1t come along? But here comes
the letter, the original being on file in our of.
hce, subject to the examination OF all con-
cerEed:
LIlTEE Rock, May 90, 1874.
DFAR SiR-The undersigned have been ap-
pointed by the friends OF Gov. Brooks a com.
mittee on correspondence. and to invite YOU
to meet the Congressional Committee which
has been appointed (who will shortly visit
this city or the tune you will be advised so
as to reach Little Rock In order to meet and
advise with them.
We have the honor, therefore, most earn
estly to request your attendance upon that
occasion. and 10 suggest that you come fully
prepared to explain the outrages of which
we SO justly complain. We would further
state that we have determined to use all fair
and honorable means to CARRY THE CON
STlTUTlONAL CONVENTION. AND TO
CONTROL THE SAME, and that all our
friends are In good spirits. and that the
press and people seem to be by a vast MAORI
~, In our favor. both at home and abroad
Very respectfully.
EDWIN BANCROFT,
u. u BLANKs.
LEE s. TnoMsoN,
I.rcIEN j. BARNES.
JOHN 5. DuFFIs.