ARKANSAS HISTORICAL QUARTERLY, Volume 11 (Summer 1952), p. 79     AN ARKANSAS ALDERMAN, 1857   By HORACE ADAMS Conway, Arkansas     The national political scene in 1857 was one of strife and dissension. Surprising strength had been developed by the new Republican Party as citizens adopted a more militant attitude against slavery. Extremists were not slow in exploiting the sensational developments in Kansas with the result of the moderated found their position increasingly difficult to maintain. Emotions were further excited during the year by the Dred Scott decision, which carried the nation a step nearer armed conflict. This conflict, so apparent to the historian, failed to penetrate lower political levels. At least in Camden, Arkansas, halcyon days existed for local politicians, where although the office had been "unasked & unsolicited," John William Brown had been chosen alderman (1).   Brown regarded his election as an "honor," because it gave him the opportunity to serve his city which was second in size only to Little Rock. It is remarkable that no opposition had developed to his candidacy. An ardent Whig, he had organized a Fillmore Club in the town during the election of 1856. Ever since the Jacksonian era, Brown felt that "progressive modern Democracy" would lead to the destruction of the Republic, phraseology strikingly similar to that recently directed against Henry Wallace. ______________________ 1. The material for this article was obtained from the diary of John William Brown, who kept a daily record of his life in Camden, Arkansas.           Contents  Words  Study Questions  Related Sites Next