Year: 1859



 vored to correct errors or misstatements made abroad concerning our State. A regards repudiation by the people or State of any just debt, it is an unwarranteC charge. We gave full statement of tho amount and character of crime in Arkan sas, to show that as regards safety to per sons and property, few States could present cleaner record. So far as security to life Is concerned man may travel the length and breadth of Arkansas with less danger than to traverse street in New York, after nightfall. The peace and order loving peo- pie of Arkansas read with shuddering hor- TOT, the accounts of manifold crimes com mitted at the north It is difficult for us to conceive of such state of society as is pictured by their own press.

 The New York Tribune is one of the acknowledged papers of the opposition- It's circulation is immense, and its errone- ous statements are copied and indorsed all over the Union. When our State is mis- represented in that paper, we deem it to be our duty to expose the error, whether made willfully or negligently.

 The following article from the Tribune. we copy in full to show our readers how they are misrepresented It is from the Tribune of the 31st of March:

 Democracy Illustrated.

 The State of Arkansas was craded. nursed and reared in what, in the swindling cant of our political confidence men, is termed democracy. It has never had any other than democratic governor, legisla- ture or senator in Congress, and but once, by chance, for a few days, a whig member of the house. No Harrison tornado, no enthusiasm for Old Zach, was ever able to shake the democratic conStancy of Arkan- sas. She has ever been the most uniform ly, reliably democratic State in the Union.

 The Little Rock Gazette and Demo- crat of the 18th ult, contains the follow ing:

 TIE FREE NEGRO BILL.-The legisla- ture has passed bill to expel free negroes from the State. They have until January, 1860, to dispose of their property, and make other arrangements for leaving. If they do not go then, it is made the duty of sheriffs to seize them and hire them out to the highest bidder for one year, giving them the net proceeds of their labor to enable them to leave the State The bill provides that such free negroes as desire to remain, may choose masters-the county court having them appraised, and the master or mistress they have chosen paying half their value into the common school fund of the county

 Hereupon Mir. Henry King, free man of color residing in Little Rock, is con- strained to advertise as follows: MISERABLE PROPERTY for SALE in Lit u tie Rock-The undersigned offers his Houses and Lots, numbered 4, ,, and 6, in block numbered TO, in Little Rock, for sale. They are located west of the residence of Judge Watkins. The improvements consist of two houses-one with four rooms, and four re-places; and the other with two rooms, and two fire places. There are also, on the premises a smoke house, well of good water, and fruit trees, embracing choice selection of apples and peaches. The above described property offers a good inducement to any one desrous of making an investment in property in Little Rock.

 HENRY KING.

 Little Rock, Feb. l6, 1859.

 The Gazette and Democrat aforesaid and 1t is the democratic State organ )- thus comments:

 Henry King is free colored man, and in obedience to the late act of the lsgisla- ture, is making preparations for leaving the State We have known him from our boyhood, and take the greatest pleasure in testifying to his good character. Wher- ever he may go, we wish him well, and the community in which he casts his lot will always be blessed with that 'noblest work of God an honest man.''

 If Mr. King should not be able to sell his property in Little Rock so as to get clear of the State before 1860 commences, he will have the consolation, on being sold to the highest bidder, that half his pur- chase-money will go towards the education of the rising generation of white gentle men who constitute the democracy of Ar kansas. Don't they appear to need it?

 Reader! how do you like this exhibition of Arkansas democracy? Or, to come di- rectly to the point, how would you like it If you had been born colored and your name was Henry King? And should the fact that you did not happen to be so born make any difference in your sentiments?"

 The first paragraph above quoted, though intended as sheer, is a high compliment. May we ever deserve it.

 The synopsis of the free negro bill, taken from the Gazette, is not full one. The bill also provides for minors and for the SUD- port of pauper free negroes.

 A great mistake of Greeley's is that the Gazette Is the democratic State organ On the contrary, it too, belongs to the mot. ley opposition.

 The puff of Henry King, taken from that paper, is not worth much. It is gi- ven that way. Free negro drivers of hacks,