The Russellville Democrat., 1890-07-10
A Detense of soufherf People.
Russellville. R JnlY l890.

A Defense of soufherf People.
 RussellvilIe, July :. 1890.
 Editor DEMOCRAT: Since I came to Arkansas have received several letters from old friends and relatives asking how I like to live in the south, and they almost invariably ask how northern people are treated here. After reading the article in the Little Rock State Register, (of last week n reference to Boans' let ter. and believing that there was no truth in it, and knowing that every republican paper in the north would copy it in it's most sensational light, 1 thought the time had come for me to answer the enquiries of my friends, and that would do 1t publicly through tue columns of the DFMo. GRAF. l arrived in Russeilville the 30th day Of November, 1888, from Pratt county, Kansas; so have Inv. ed here one year, seven months and seven days. 1 came here a republi- can; 1 was raised republican, and have always worked and voted with the republican party ,am member of the same religious denomination as MT. Boans, (but not of the same con gregation ),I have been at some pub lie gathering every week (excopt three since 1 came heSe. ] have as soeiated with the people all could intact l have taken extra pains to find out how the southern people feel toward the northern immigrants that come here. 1 have always found them to respect the northern people that had any respect for themselves. I have lived in four different States and in many different localities, and I never lived among people that were more peacable, more sociable, or more temperate; I never saw bet ter morals than is found here in Ark ansas, as to patriotism 1 have been here on two anniversaries of the na- tional independence ani it has been celebrated both years at several places in this county, there being upwards of 1000 at one place this year. l have seen the stars and stripes floating from pole raised by the people generally; have seen the speakers stands decorated with many flags; l have seen ex-confed. crate soldiers stand under those flags; I have heard them make as grand fourth of July orations as I ever did in the north, and not one word about the civil war or one word of bloody shirtism. I have heard several ex-confederate soldiers say that now the war was over they be lieved the south was better off for it. 1 honestly and firmly believe that most all the political troubles Tn this country is caused by northern sore head republicans who have been kicked out of the party as unfit to hold an office of trust. Men who came here from the north in recon struction days to live fat at the governments expense having no re- gard for the people governed, but they lost their grip, and they now think by getting up these big bloody stories about ballot box frauds, murders and running men out of the country that it will induce the U. S. govern ment to again take control of the State government, and they can once more stand chance to feed on government pap. They never let a chance slip to throw out some slur or insult to the southern people or the democratic party such as "We whipped you once and can do it again" and generally they are men who never carried musket or new CT smelt powder; if they did, it was when high wind blew the smoke on their backs as they were making tracks for the north. Only last week republican land minister too in Russellyille said to an old confeder. ate soldier, '.we whipped you once and can do it sgain~ To think
 
 that minister, a man of God, a teacher of that gospel which says: Peace on earth good will toward men, that such man would stoop so low. It is shame and dis grace on his religious calling. Now, I hope when my northern friends read some glowing sensational arti cle in the papers about some south ern outrage that they will put it down az some black political scheme and always remember that the people of the south are made like unto your selves, their feelings are as easy hurt, their pride as easy insulted, their honor as easily stained, and they have the same right to resent these things as you of the north have. In conclusion: I am after no office; do not want to serve the dear people, but 1 am citizen of Arkan- sas and as such I think it is my right, it is my duty, as it Is the duty of all good citizens, to uphold the good name and honor of our State. With good wishes for the peace and of our country,
 1 am respectfully,
 W. H. CULLEN.