The Russellville Democrat., 1878-02-21

lands, has beyond all doubt raised tae aggregate of our Democratic votes to something near 30,00O In all the bygone years of trial and danger, this region was the hope ol the commonwealth. Here, among our blue mountains, the banner oi Democracy, right and the people, was ever borne proudly aloft by loyal hands and true. When the black cohorts of Radical despotism over ran all of our sunny lowlands, these mountain fastnesses were freedom E refuge, the home and rallying place of patriots. For years, while every other portion of the State has been swept by the dark waves of alien domination, the lighthouse of liberty high up among the Ozark peaks, has sent it's cheering rays out upon the dismal waste to bid Democratic free men still hope and wait for the com ing day. For years, Northwest Ar kansas has steadily and regularly rolled up her grand Democratic ma jorities, never wavering, never fail ing to come up to the full measure of her duty-aiding less favored sections to escape from thraldom.
 The day of triumph, of delivery came long ago; and what has she ever received for all her labors and her fealty to the common causef What recognition of her devotion and her services has ever been ac- corded her by the rest of the State whose rights and liberties she has contributed so much to gain?
 Not one thing. Conventions meet in Little Rock, and few distin- guished gentlemen from portions of the State select ticket. No North western Arkansas name ever, by any possibility, obtains place upon it. And yet she is expected, with an enthusiastic 'hurrah, boys" to roll up one third of the whole vote that elects it.
 In the last campaign, a governor, secretary of state, auditor, treasurer, attorneygeneral, commissioner of public lands and superintendent of public instruction were nominated. Not name was from this grand re- zion of twenty-four counties, with nearly 30,00O Democratic votes. Our people only asked the secretary ship of state, and their modest re- quest was secuted at. The legisla- ture met. Northwestern Arkansas thought, as she had no representa- ton on the State ticket, she was en- titled to the speakership. She put forward one of her best and worthi- est sons, backed by one third of all the Democratic votes of the State, He was beaten. She asked for one or two pitiful clerkships. They were denied her. And, at last, as a magnificent reward for her unfalter- ing faith and constancy, she was honored-insulted is the word-with adoorkeepership!
 True, Judge Walker, from Wash ington county, is on the Supreme bench; but that is not a political position, and he was facile princeps among all the aspirnts for it.
 But a petty doorkeepership is the only recognition Northwest Arkan- sas, with her 25,000 or 30,0O0 Dem ocratic votes, has been able to ob- tain from the State whose ticket could not be carried without her. Brethren of the Northwest Arkansas press! Fair play is a jewel, and our region is not securing 1t. Casting third at least of the whole Dem ocratic vote of the State, she is en. titled, justly and honorabiy. to that portion of places on the ticket, and it will be our fault if she longer fails to demand and receive her rightful share. Before the next State con vention, let the delegates from all Arkansas meet at some convenient point, and decide what positions they will ask for their grand section, and what names they will put forward for them. Let all our canvassing and caucussing, squabbling, dickerlng and combin- ing be done before we go to Little Rock. Then let the claims of our region and our candidates be mod estly but resolutely presented; and, backed by twenty-four of the best counties in the State, and by nearly, if not fully, 30,000 Democratic votes, we shall not ask Tn vain.
 Up with the standard of the Northwestern Democracy! Ask only what is fair and taking nothing less. editors of Northwest brethren long ignored in the party councils of our State, what is your answer?-Bentonyille Ad-