The Van Buren press., 1876-08-29
PLEASANT Hit, Aug. 26, 1876.

Lhhohf>i 'iihL' aug -o' icaO'
EDITOR VAN BuREN Press Pursuant to the
call made by a few of the citizens of Pleas
ant Hin and vicinity. the prime object OF
which was to harmonize and unite the demo-
cr tic party. which Is now becoming so much
estranged In regard to the asprants be ore
the people for the State Senate. mass meet
ing was held at Pleasant Hill. to-day, the
proceedings of which were ordered sent to
the papers in the district for publication. No
basis OF compromise was agreed upon by the
friends of Gen. Armstead and Col Witch.
1t was proposed by the friends Of Gen Arm
stead that he and Col. Witch both withdraw
entirely from the field, and not. under any
circumstances be brought on again. and that
a third man. by conioint convention Of the
counties OF Crawford and Franklin be brought
out. Mr.. Witch positively refused to with
draw, and not he subject to re-noniinaton.
when Col. King categorcally put the question
to him. Col. Witch was willing to withdraw
subject to denomination then and there.
This Gen. Armstead would not agree to To
have done So would have been dshonorable,
alike, to himself and friends. 1t was evident
from the course pursued, that Witch had a
put-up-job to force Gen. Armstead off. From
far and near his supporters were congregated
at Pleasant Hill. not representative men Of
the democratic party-tor there were few
such among them-hut were voters. When
they could not drive Gen. Armstead into the
not prepared for him. a mass meeting Yves or
ganized by appointing chairman and some
three or four secretaries. In response to
cnIl hv his friends. Col. Witch proceeded to
deliver himself of considerable amount of
slang and abuse alike destitute of truth and
that dignity and honorable bearing which an
intelligent democracy would expect in a gen
tlemah. seeking their suttrages for the position
of State Senator He represented that Gen.
Armstead was the candidate OF few rings.
the one particularly odious to him, being at
Ozark. Now. according to his version, who
constitute the Ozark ring? All who oppo,e
him Judge Mansfield John J. Walker. F M.
Flerman. P. II, Webb. j. F. Quaile. Drs. WA
and T. A. Carter, Riley Wallace. and hosts Of
Others of like character. Such men rs these,
all over the district Col Witch charges as
his maigners and detamers. These men are
known beyond the narrow coniinrs of Frank
lin county as men of intelligence integrity,
probity, and fair-dealing. upon whose charac-
tcrs not a shade rests; yet these mentor
they are members of his celebrated ring-can
stoop low enough to malign the immaculate
Witch! Judge Mansfield Is not soiling the
erminc of the Judge by taking an active part
in polite. yet he. unfortunately, belongs to
Col. Wittich's abomina lie ring.
The mass meeting was an er-pdrte affair.
run entirely In the interest of Witch. none
others taking any stock in it. any mo e than
made bv Witch hut the Colonel seemed dis
inclined to yield for correction, hence they
were left entirely free to run the affair to
suit themselves. They soon exercised Gen
Armstrad. and proclame Witch the nomi-
nee of the democratic party for the Senate in
this district. The call for the meeting was
made bv the friends of Armstead an Wit
ticl, alike. But when the friends of these
gentlemen convened, and no satisfactory ar.
rangements could be made. the affair should
have ended. Witch. how ever, had incuha-
nro, and ithad to be Matched, and the
KILL; .eu an .sJ "hristened by the H." Of
democracy. BY circuis,. or o,he,r~ r,1. :. VIII
be heralded all over the district on the 4th of
September; but 1t will not only fall stil-born,
but will be a stencil in the nostrils OF a watch
full democracy. who are battling for reform
inl purity. not only in the departments of
national and state governments, hut in the
party itself
Gen. Armstead will rarrr south Franklin
hv large majority. Prairie township. his
home will roll up almost solid vote for him.
He is gaining strength daily in the other town
ships Of this county. In South Franklin.
Armistead will poll more votes than both Of
his opponents conformity. +.