Year: 1860

the responsibilities that will devolve upon us. The True Democrat has long been the leading democratic organ of Arkansas Through evil as we'll as through good re- port it has ever stood up the unainching champion of pure principles, the fearless defender of the rights of the people, and the consistent leader of the democracy of this

 State. Itis with feelings of pride, mingled,

 we confess, with diffidence and mistrust of

 our ability, that we take charge of jour

 nal that has such proud record, and whose history is blended with the annals, the pros- perity and the growth of Arkansas.

 It will be expected of us, perhaps, that we will partially foreshadow the future policy of the True Democrat, though our able co.editor has left us but little to say. The gallant democracy of Arkansas, which has hitherto looked to this journal in the houf of peril for encouragement and for bold and fearless exposition of the enternal principles of the party, feel, we know, much

 solicitude as to its future It has not yet forgotten its first love-" and never will so long as she does not coquet with the foes

 of democracy. Be assured that we will

 labor with a pure intent and a patriotic

 zeal flor the. welfare of Arkansas, of the

 South, and of the democratic party. Born under the shade of the Palmetto, we early imbibed the doctrines of Calhoun, and we can never prove recreant to the rights of the South and of the States until we forget the land of our nativity. Experience has

 fully demonstrated that in one respect Cal

 houn was right, that in one respect he is entitled to the everlasting gratitude of the

 South. Above the sway of passion or of

 interest, he clearly foresaw that spirit of compromise was the incipient form of di- rect encroachments on the constitution, and

 though his prophetic warnings, like those of Cassandra, were neglected, recent politi- cal developments here justified his fears and established his wisdom. Wewill ever ad- vocate uncompromisingly the great doc trines of state rights It is needless to go into details farther than to say that we will stand upon the State platform, which in regard to national policy is theplatferm of the South.

 We cannot close this introduction to the public without alluding Ito the unfortunate feuds that at present distract the democratic party of this State. We will not now stop to enquire what parties are to blame for the personal amino osity that distracts the noble democracy of Arkansas. Enough for us that this state of things exists. It will be the proudest triumph of our life if we can heal this breach, or even mitigate the bit terness which characterizes this "war of the roses" The great interests of the South require that our party should be a unit You are told that the democratic party is dead-that it is disbanded-tha it has no longer national existence. Listen not to the delusive cry. Should the party lose its national character, should its north ern members become abolitionized and merge into the black republican ranks, it would still be necessary to keep up the or ganization of our party South, for in the Union or out oft, the platform of the demo- cratic party is the only ark of safety to our form of government Beware then, demo- crats of Arkansas, how you listen to the insidious advice of those who, in or out of your ranks, would inculcate the dangerous doctrine of even partial disorganization. It may be honest but it is deceptive and mis- taken policy.

 The question then arises how are the feuds which now agitate the State to be ad- iusted? There is only one way in which this can be done, and that is for the party to support its nominees without regard to personal di6erences. Where there are no nominees in the field, of course every demo- crat should exercise his judgment in the selection of safe and sound functionaries It tells badly for the democrat who cannot make sacrifice to preserve the unity of his party. It smacks of deep-seated selfish ness directly opposed to the pure faith to which we cling, and of which one of the most beautiful tenets is that 6 the office should seek the man not the man the of ice.'

 In conclusion allow us to say, that in the discharge of the duties of our post, we will treat with marked courtesy friend and foe While we will be compelled to act on the defensive and repel the personalities of the indecorous and the impolite, we will do so, when such a course is possible, in man. her that will leave no sting behind. We fully indorse the following just sentiment in the salutatory of our co-edltor:

 GA newsnaper should not be the medium for set clement of individual feuds, and whatever may be the character of my personal relations with any one, shall endeavor to make as little public display of them as can with justice to myself Newspaper must prove unpleasant to those who engage in it. while it cannot, in any view of the case, be of advantage to the people,"

 We hope our associations with the press will be as pleasant as they have hitherto been. And now, having made our bow somewhat awkardly we confess, we are ready for argument and for fair discussion with any who may honestly dissent from