Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-04-10
MR.. LEAKS ADDRESS.

lowe it to myself. as well as to the party
with whom it has been my pride and boast to
| have acted through life, to make the following
statement Of facts justifying my present position
before the public. not doubling that upon candid
review of the whole ground, it will be seen by all
unprejudiced minds, that whatever of schism
may be produced in our party by the recent NOM
ination of the state Central Committee, cannot
ghtfuly be attributable either to m, seifor friends
I begin, then, by stating, that early In Feby.
there was meeting held in the county of An
son. in which my friends thought prope- to pre-
sent my name to the state at large, as suit-
able person to be run as a candidate for Gov
ernor, and at the same time they appointed a
committee TO notify me thereof, and ask my ac-
ceptance. On the 2lst of'Feb'y. there were mee-
tings i'm the counties of Lincoln and Catawba,
il which my claims were favorably urged; on
the 9th of the same month a meeting was held
at Charlotte of the citizens of Meckeuburg and
Union counties, expressing decided preference
in my favor, and urging upon the state Cen
trail Committee to apprise me thereof and ask my
acceptance: all of which were published in the
Jeffersonian, and of which was Immediately ap.
prsed by letters. In this state of affairs, visited
Lawrenceve, Montgomery county, at which place
met friends from the adjoining counties, who
warmly urged upon me to come out a candl-
to them that would do So and that would an
nounce it to the state at large in letter TO the
! "Anson Committee" accepting their nomination.
On the naxt day, the 2sth, communicated to
the Hon. Robt Strange the fact of my having
come out and then for the firsttime learned that
he had received letter from DR.. Watson, one of
the Genital Committee asking him to repair to
Raleigh on the 4th of March, for the purpose of
making nomination.
Finding myself thus awkwardly placed, asked
of Judge Strange to address letter to DR.. Watson,
informing him of my position, that had come out
in good faith and that I would in even be driv-
en- from the step had taken, under the advise
ment of my friends the day previous. Judge
Strange on that day, the 2Sth, Informed DR.. Wat
son thereof and advised that forasmuch as the step
had been taken that there should be collision,
but suggested the propriety of the state "Central
Committee" lending all the aid in their power
He further stated that there was much diversity of
opinion as to the proprety of the committees ia
king upon themselves the right of nomination, and
expressly stated that be thought that the exercise
of his power at least very questionable, which
letter he read in my presence. Fearing that COL
| lision might be brougt about and we'll knowing that
I was not in high favor with the "Raleigh Clique"
on this same day wrote letter to the Editor of
the "Standard." This letter, with the written
! ty Judge Strange, was mailed in Cheraw, S. c.,
on the LIST of March. In my letter to W. w.
Holden, who was one of the Committee, inform
ed him of what had taken place. and authorized
and requested him to make known to such Of the
/ Committee might meet on the 18th, my position.
and expressly stated, that coming out as did, and
at the time did. that would give place to no
nomination the Committee might make. On re.
turning home from LawrenceviIlc, wrote my let.
e Al I
closed it directly to the s Standard" for pubca-
ton. This letter was mailed on the I'd of March,
at hcraw. S. c., and must have reached Raleigh
on the Sd at nights and OH the 9Th of March a.
gain addressed him letter, fearing miscarriage.
On the 9th of March I visited Arson Superior
! Court, when and where again made it known
that was candidate.
/ On the 18th of March, John w. Ellis and Judge
Strange, two of the Central Committee. at my re-
quest again addressed letter to the Editor of the
Standard The letters were handed to Mr.. Guion
Of the city of Ral"igb and by him presume were
. delivered at least by the 18Th.
II What the letter oil Mr.. Ellis contained know
not, hut was informed by Judge Strange. that he
stated in his letter. that was then attending An
son Court and was fairly in the field, and that be
again advised that there be collision ofnterests
I On my return no me from Arson Court, found
a letter from the Editor of the Standard dated the
| sth of March. He acknowledged the reception o!
my two letters but said nothing about my letter OF
acceptance, which knew he must have received
for both letters referred to it. He stated that the
members of the Committee about Raleigh h ID
written to the other membere of the Committee
in different parts of the State requesting among
other things, that they would express preference
between James B. Shepard and myself. and that
as soon as they were heard from, Candidate
: would be brought forward.
I These are tue facts of the case. I regret ex-
iceedingly that any collision should be brought
about, for we require our whole and undivided
strength at the present crisis.
| owe it, therefore, to those friends who have
been most active in bringing me OUT we'll as to
my own character, not to withdraw, and will can
vass the state if do not gat 500 votes.
| In conclusion. it will be seen whether the Dem
ocratc party of the state, the who do the bat
ties Of Democracy at the ballot boxes, who neither
seek or desire office. will suffer to be put down an
humble individual, who, under every variety OF
shade, has been true to their principles or whether
! they are mere puppets in the hands of political
wire-workers in and about the city of Raleigh,
who now as heretofore, really seem impressed with
the belief that Raleigh, like Paris, is the state and
Il that every citizen must bow to their dictation.
! For one, am to be dictated to by no such
irresponsible clique; and when l say this, mean
what say, for the Convention never having au-
thorized by resolution, the providing for any such
contingency, the exercise of this right nothing
but naked assumption Of power, without any re-
sponsibility over.
; In truth. the Convention had not this power to
give they but themselves the reflection OF
the people, and when they had nominated their
power was at an end In any thing sly, do
not intend to censure, in the most remote degree
those members of the Committee who reside out
of the city of Raleigh. They are not in the slight.
est degree responsible for what has been broueh,
E about; and from my knowledge Of the gentlemen
although they may have preferred Mr.. Shepard tc
myself, yet cannos but think. had they been pre-