The Van Buren press., 1876-05-23
Answer to /. Xx" Granvil.e's "Dare. y

/
contained in the Xxx letter in righ
earnest. The editor Of the Argus WI,
only .iuuning' and did not expect ths
Gazette to take any notice Of the .'dare. ;
That our readers may see the Argus edi
itor, as others see him. we copy, what the
Gazette did dare say to the challen
ger:
We have no desire nor intention to in.
dulge the Xxx editor of the Argus with
a newspaper quarrel. We have never at
tempted to provoke one with him. and
have usually declined to notice his jeal'
Gus filings, which have been persistently
indulsed in and oft repeated-sach, for
instance. as the Gazette ring, the Bour-
bon Organ, the Markham Street Feudal
Master, etc. These terms have never
hurt us, and we have generally ignored
them, attributing them to the peculiar
ly "d,gnifed and high toned style OF
the editor Of the Argus, who is usually
Xxx" for us to associate pleasantly
with. But as he assumes to be tho chiet
apostle of the democracy Of the ma
tional school" aud yctindorses the "XX'
letter, aud does not deny its authorship,
but dares US to deny any statement con.
tanned in it, referring to its date January
10. 1875, we come to time
We dare deny that the ST. Louis Dem
ocrat ever i" came near the true standard
oI fuuuPe.1enae in journalism" unless
it WAS when it acted as war agent for
Brooks IN buying arms with which to
"make Arkansas bowling wilderness. y
We dare deny that the man who
thought the Democrat was an independ.
snt newspaper. and wrote tue Xxx let
ter, was democrat of the national school
or any other suhoui than the school Of
demagoguery.
We dare deny that the writer of the
Xxx letter believed that you the
Dcmocrat) desired true reform.
We do not deny that "in the settle
ment Of the Brooks Baxter troubles,
while many democrats who had aided in
the election of Brooks. thought he ought
to have the office, there were but very
few I" one of whom Xxx was which
who did not honestly abide by the deeis.
ion of the president"
We d1re deny that the Gazette ever
had any ring "when the time came to
nominate candidates for state officers, /"
or at any other time, "who manipulated
the county primaries.
We dare deny that the men who sup
ported Baxter In the convention of 1874,
were Bourbons," or that they had
any "plans Of their own to carry out
that did not compass the best interests oi
Arkansas.
We dare deny that " they took Gar
land, because be WAS the best known and
least Objectionable but because he was
then. as he is, now, the universal choice
OF the whole democratic party Of Arkan
sas-except the few who sympathise will
"XX"-for the highest position of hon
or in their gift.
We dare deny that the delegates wht
nominated the Garland ticket was icon
tinuation Of the old johnson ring SO
called, to which the editor Of the Argu
belonged, +" that finally led US to rebel
lion.'
/ We dare deny that "the democrati
dnings," tas on the contrary the demo
cratic party Of the state did indorse it
doings, and elected the state ticket b
about $4,000 majority
| Finally, we dare deny that the" Xxx
letter, taken as whole, CONTAINS ANY
THING BUT wILLFUL DISTORTION OF FACT
INSPIRED BY THE SPLEEN OF A DlsAPPolN7
ED pEMAGoeuE, who wQuiu willingly hay
sacr'lieea the cause of the people Of Al
kansas, If By so DOING HE MIGHT HAY
SAVED SOME PET THEORY OF HIS OWN.
So much with what we dare, with +,
gard to the Xxx" letter. A few word
as to the organ" The conventio
which nominated the state ticket whic
was so enthusiastically indorsed by til
people, by resolution indorsed the Gazet,
and declared it to be the official organ
OF the democratic and conservative party
The Gazette has assumed no special pr,
rogative, on that account, but has simpl
been ready and willing to publish the Of
fetal acts and notices of the executiv
committee, or anothing else that migt
be OF interest or importance to the part
or the state. That the Gazette has eve
abused its trust or assumed the exercis
Of any dogmatic dictation cannot
truthtully asserted; that 1t is in symps
thy with the large majority af the peopl
eff the state, we have abundant reason t
believe. If pecuniary obligations are t
be considered, the Gazette is under n
obligations to the party OF the state. w
have given more than value received fo
every dollar we ever received from eithel
So much for our authority as "organ.'
The same convention that gave us ths
authority, acquiesced in the motion t
add the name of Mr. Wilcox to the cen
trail executive committee, and he has re
Gently boasted Of his position. But. a
far as he is concerned, we owe him moth
ing personally or politically, and are con
tent that he should envy or hate US, o
both, for they usually 60 together.
~ Harrclls Form Book is now in tn
binders hands. Copies will be ready 70
delivery in few days. Price, bound i
law sheep, 81, If sent by mail, 20 cent
per copy additional, Address John NJ