The Forrest City times., 1890-02-08
BRECK KESRIDGE's rEHsEcU TOES.

In his letter to the election commit. tee Hon. C. R. Breckenridge thus ex. poses his prosecutors:
 In the light of the astounding reckless ness and inconsistency of Judge Mcclure and his active local associates, 1t is natu- ral to inquire are these things habituai with them. They impcach the county and state governments, the officials and the people. from none of which we shrink. As they seek to draw color and support to themselves and their case by forced de- dnctons from irrelevant events. gross cx- aggerations and scandalous Actions then. in turn, let me inquire into them. Who are these individuals who now. and in this manner, appear before you and before the country. inpeaching the virtue of com. monwealth.
 Their conduct is a matter of history, and 1t can easily be recalled when they inpru tently invoke and compel it as they now dc. They entered this state and obtained power by an unhappy interposition, in time of peace, Of the federal government. They organized the lowest clements of se- ciety to incite strife. They could only keep in power by outside forcc. They could only invoke force by alleging crime. They could only secure crime by them selves committing and provoking s They are the same men who in former years us- ed the machinery of the state to opprcss and torture the people to rob them of their substance. to execute them without trial er indictment. and to violate female honor; and who. hy their usurpation and misrule, shocked the moral seuse of the civilized world
 At last the people, getting the ear of the country, resolved to unloose the hands of the marauders. The case then was remov- ed from Arkansas to Washington. Your petitioner, Judge Mcclure, as counsel, with General Powell Clayton by his side. appeared here, then, as now, 10 defame the people and to invoke the power of con gress to effect that which their votes did not justify and which their militia could no longer maintain. Then, as now, they were the authors and fnishers of their cause. Then, as now, they talked of pop ular intimidation, murder. free ballot anj fair count. Nobody was virtuous but them, and only they are vrtuou. now Yet, having led in the desolation of Arkau- sas down through ls69 and into the '1os, and having no more regard for honor CT consistency then than now, they then asl ei Congress in the Brooks and Baxter con test for governor to turn out a man they confessed they had counted in, and to put in man they confessed they had counted out.
 The Poland report, the opinion of Attor- ney-Gencral Williams and other proceed ings upon this case, are matters of history. They show that these men were guilty of every crime, curse to their party and country, defamers of the people, advent urcrs polluting the air with their claims Of virtue and deeds of sin, and republi- can administration and congress spurned them with loathlng and contempt and set the people free.
 They told congress that unless they were put in power they would be murder ed if they returned to the state. They knew fhe crimes and outragcs they had in- ilicted upon individuals, They knew they had packed a legislature by force and fraud and had had these acts removed from the jurisdiction of grand juries and courts. They knew that plundcred and outrage q state might try to call them to account, and that enraged individuals. denied ac- personal and barbarous manner but which could no; surpass the barbarites which had been visited upon them. But they were not sustained and they did re- turn. Powell Clayton. Mcclure, Upham and others, whose hands were dyed scar let In the blood of the people, which one ef them has ever been disturbed? Gov. Garland invited them back as living mon- uments of the forbearance of the state and ef the people. What other people on earth would have shown forbearancc like thisl The people were sick and weary and In need of rest. \ veil of oblivion was thrown over all of the dark past. The people were willing to forget more than any other people had ever been known to forgive. They hoped that personal char. aeteT would be moderated to the require ments of a kindly age.
 But now. after long period of retire ment and disgrace, marked by the amazing growth and prosperity of the state, thes, same men again with cause unsustained by the people, and, as before, of their owr making. appear before committee of con, gress exhibiting unchanged tho methods character and venom Of former years.