Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1874-11-21
smith on Arkansas.

And now comes another muille ia Arkan-
s,s affairs. from which /, would seem that
Smiths iea is that the GlyeruoTsbip
If his State. is the summua bou,m Of an ambi-
ton. NIessrs. Clayton aad Dorsey the two
carpet-bag Senators Of tia; unfortunate State
are the prime movers 10 this attempt TO over
throw the lawful government. as they announ-
ced last summer. before leaving Washington,
that they did not Intend to give up tie strus-
ole 10 REGAIN the control Of the State govern
ment To pursuance Of this determination
they have gained over the oyerslaushed Smith,
Lieutenant Governor, whose office was vacated
by the recent adoption Of the new Constitution,
Baxter. the former Governor, having recognized
the supremacy Of that instrument, and having
quietly given mp Executive houors to the Go
vernon elect. this movement on the part Of the
irrepressible Smith is a refreshing piece Of po-
Htical aulacity. It may be, however, that he
knows better what he is about than other peo-
pie d. and possibly hopes that the Influences
40 Washington, that aye ever So ready 10 guar
aniee a republican form Of government to be-
leaguerel states, viii back him up. Or, it is
not impossible that the astute and learned At
toroey-General Williams, the right-haud man
Of our horseback Executive. has assured Smith
that he can see daylight through the matter.
Or. what is more likely STILL an these Influences
combined. with the fact Of the extensive sway
Of the smith family in Arkansas, may put
through their ambitious kinsman. The point
he makes is, that the new Constitution not
having been adopted in a manner prescribed
By the old one is therefore null and void, and
the officers elected underits provisions are not
entitled 10 their seats. And tits authoritative
IL stated. that If this claim Of the ambitious
smith is maintained it would iuvalidate the
existing Constitutions Of six or eight Of the
States
II 1867. the people Of Maryland adopted a
new constitution regardless Of the provisions Of
the OLE one that had been carried by bayone,s
instead Of ballots. after the manner Of affairs
10 Arkansas. Of course the minority in that
State FASTENED 20 Washington, Just as the sore
heads in Arkansas have done, hard after the
precious guarantee" sc. They denied the
right Of the majority to alter the organic law
in a manner TO suit themselve', and refused to
nominate candidates for the constitutional con-
vsntion or vote upon the question Of its being
called. They hung around Congress, but Of
course were unsuccessful. The case Of Arkan-
sas now is Just what the case Of Maryland was
in 1867. And as the present administration is
grea, on the preceients Of its party, it cannot
60 back on them, aud consequently the disap-
pointed Smith will have to forego gubernato-
rial bonors and retire to the bosom Of his large
and interesting family, where it is % be hoped
that be will be Of more use than stirring up
strife and perhaps bloodshed all over the state,
10 order that be may be Governor thereof 10
his retirement from public affairs with his great
mind relieved from the cares Of state we re-
commend for bis careful perusal book we
read in our boyhood entitled Misplaced AM
Jition Bears Bitter Fruit" 1t may be Of great
service 10 him, but we have doubts about it.