The Van Buren Press

Party of John H.

Clarksville, Ark., Sept. 13th, 1875.

J. S. Dunham—

Dear Sir: Your correspondent "Sarberian," so far as he urges in general terms unity and harmony in the party, we endorse, but we cannot silence our condemnation of the ill-humored, ill-timed and puny slander against Johnson county. He says: "Sarber is O. K. well contented with the present order of things and opposed to any split in the Democratic party, except it be a few in the north-east corner of the County, where they suck Bourbon milk from Johnson county"

The deductions are, that the Democracy of Johnson county is opposed to the Garland government, and in favor of a split in the party in the campaign of '76. Need it be said, in the face of facts known to every one, that this is untrue; if not, then your correspondent appears at once a base slanderer. Among the well recognized facts concerning the Democracy of Johnson, is the fact, that they unitedly support the Garland government, and sustain Mr. Garland's administration, there being no distinguishable difference between those who favored and those who opposed his nomination. The Democracy of Johnson united and harmonious now, expect to remain so, and in the future support good and true men, the nominees of the party, let them be from Van Buren, Little Rock or elsewhere

We desire a split! Johnson has always thrown her full weight against such follies. Your silly correspondent, I suppose, would have the Democracy, in parlance common to such men, divided into two classes, "Baxter Democrats" and "Brooks Democrats." Without pronouncing him anything further than a slanderer, we will say that we know a great number throughout the State, fresh recruits to the ranks, who desire the same thing. Their long service does not entitle them to promotion, and nothing will give it but the adoption of the Sarberian policy. You can put Old Johnson down as solidly opposed to any and all hobbies, come from whom they may, having a tendency to distract and divide the party.

JOHNSON.