The Van Buren press., 1878-05-07
VIM, (. Woodruff, Jr.

Tho press of the State will not sit
quietly, and see Billy Woodruff malign-
ed by those in the pay OF his opponent.
This is what they say;
The Batesvile Guard says: We re
greet to see, in the Pine Bluff Press, Of
late date, that Gen. Churchill has friends
(from such friends save us y who arc re
sorting to elevate him by crying down
Billy Woodruff, because, forsooth, he is u
brother-in-law of Maj. Blocher. 1t is
nothing but reasonable to suppose that
the paper founded by his father then
edited by Billy, himself, to his own im-
poverishment, that Democracy might
survive, to live to witness the death of
radicalism in the State, should be found
supporting him, even embracing him
For one we here assert that should the
Gazette have been found lacking in rem
dering assistance to elevate man Of such
moral and political worth as Billy Wood.
rutl-a man whose abilities and integrity
none can in truth gainsay; II man whose
meritorious selt-sacritces have gone unre-
wardod, though ever acknowledged u
man around whom associations of long
friendships have gathered-we say that
the Gazette would have shown the ba-
sest ingratitude. For one we would in
that event prefer to see it no longer live,
but to die the death OF an migrate. Is it
democracy to deny true merit, position,
or promotion because of kin to some.
body ! or worse than all, because some
worthy newspaper openly or supposedly
supports some meritorious candidate ?
Any man who would openly, or by in
situation intimate that Billy Woodruff
would, under any circumstances, act cor
ruptly toward the State, or any citizen
thereof, we say he isa base sandercr or
that he Woodbury. would make any ALI
anee contrary to the best interest Of the
State, onl y imputes to others what he
wonld reasonably be expected to do were
the State so unfortunate as to have
such slanderers in or about the State
treasury. But, then, this Pine Bluff cor
respondent says: " We must beat Billy,
at all hazards, regardless Of his personal
worth" In that case the end ustifies
the means to be used in beating Wood
ruff, the man above all men in this State
that has and does deservedly command
the respect, and should, therefore, have
the support of the tried Democracy of
Arkansas. We are charitable enough to
believe that Charlie Newman was not in
or he would not have had such commu-
nications to appear in the Press. Maj.
Newman is too gallant u soldier and gen
tleman to lend countenance to such man
ner of defeating the aspirations of wor-
thy men. We admire him for the manly
notice given to his comrade and old com
mander. These arc ties that cannot be
overlooked or forgotten.
The Texarkana Democrat has the fol-
lowing Knowing the strength that
Maj. w. Il. Woodruff will carry into the
State convention, and fearing the defeat
Of their pet, the friends of Gen. Church
i'll are cndeavoring to induce the Major
to withdraw from the canvass for State
Treasurer, and offer for State Land Com.
missioner. They do this with seeming
desire for the success of Woodruff, but
in reality caring nothing for him SO that
their pet is retained to fatten off the
"pap" Of the State Treasury. Wood
rutf's friends will stand no such compro-
mise, and will go to the State convcn-
ton prepared and anxious to reward him
for the valuable services rendered his
State and people, y Wend"n# 10 =. ="
Ieatcu, II VIII be lasting disgrace on the
body composing the convention.