The Russellville Democrat., 1882-05-18
A Complimentary Serenadc to
 Judge Mansfield.

Editor DEMOCRAT: On Friday night last very large, enthusiastic and re- spectable number of the citizens, headed
 by the cornet band of Russellville, pro- ceeded te the residence of Capt. Root.
 Garden and lady, and serenaded the
 distinguished, gentleman whose name heads this article. After discoursing several peices of soul-stirring music, Judge Mansfield, being loudly called
 for, made his appearance upon the bal cony and in brief, eloquent and hap py manner, expressed his surprise, qualification and pleasure for the very ilattering evidence of respect and esteem so unexpectedly bestowed upon him. He reverted to his advent into the State, poor and penniless boy without friends and perfect stranger, he was taken by the hand and received the en- couragement of q generous and noble hearted people, to whom he would ever feel grateful and to whom he owed deep obligations for all the success ne had met with in life, and for the often- conferred confidence they had reposed in him, having been honored by them with several important offices within their gift as member of the Legislature, Judge of the fifth judicial circuit, and as a delegate to the Constitutional Con- yentions of the State in 1861 and 1874. He had been frequently urged and so- | llcIted to permit his name to be used as a candidate for governor, and Judge of the Supreme Court by his friends and for which he felt very grateful, but which circumstances would not permit him to accede to and which he declined giving the most satisfactory reasons therefor; among others a very great dislike to engage in scr ramble for of. I flee which politicians of the present day indulged in to such an extent that it did not accord with his feelings oI sense of propriety, more especially fol that of the judiciary which should bt above and beyond political influence
 Recently, however, his friends, many of whom he was proud to number then present, were so urgent and persistent ill their appeals and solicitations upor 1 him to announce himself as candidate l for Congress for the State at large tha | he had after due deliberation, witt
 nevertheless some degree of hesitancy in consideration of the political wire
 working machinery and scramble usu
 ally resorted to.and attending the at
 tainment Of office, finally consented tt 
 become q candidate for congressman fol the state at large aud had so announced himself through the press. He assure, them that if he was honored with thu nomination and elected he would en
 deavor to discharge the duties of thu position with that degree of respect ant
 rectitude of honor due to the state b. serving them faithfully, zealousll and with all the ability he possessed
 He thanked them again and again fol
 their kindness, for their often conferred
 honors upon him, his warm apprecia
 ton of their friendship and confidenc' and the deep feelings of sympathy h'
 had always entertained for the goot
 people of Pope county, who had al
 ways stood foremost III vindication 0
 right and free government and of hay
 ing been so prominent in placing il
 motion the lever which rid Arkansa
 of misrule and oppression. HOMER.