Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-10-13
POLITICAL DISCUSSION.

cal matters, by B. |. Howe, Esq, Editor of
the Commercial Review, and Col John Nc
Rae, on behalf of the Federal party, and by
VIM. Hill, Esq on behalf of the Democrats.
We regret that it was out of our power to be
present, TO hear the opening address of Mr..
Hill. This, we believe, is the first public po-
litical speech this young champion of our
cause has ever made, and our Democratic
friends who were present assure US that he ac-
quilted himself in manner worthy OF the
cause he so warmly espoused, and TO the de-
light of his Democratic auditors. We have
been furnished with the following sketch of
the discussion for publication, and take plea
sure in spreading it before our readers. We
should like to see some of our Federal cotem-
porares attempt to disprove the charges made
by Mr.. Hill. Our correspondent says
"Mr Hill opened his remarks by stating that
the two parties had made their nominations
the one accompanying the recommendation of
their candidate to the people with declara-
ton of principles-a platform-the other stu
diously refusing to do so. The consequence
OF this was that the Wings, in their speeches
and papers. speak only of the characters of
the candidates-eulogizing fredericksburg
Cass and the Democratic platform. The Dem
ocrats were driven to defend their candidate
and their platform, and thus discussions al
ways turned on "men instead of measures
He stated that he intended to pursue differ
Al n,
form to attack, he would embody what he had
10 say in charges against the Wing party. He
read the accompanying charges, then laid them
on the table, and defed any one present 10 dis
prove them. Mr., Howe rose TO reply-broke
down on the first charge. and commenced a
eulogy on Gen. Taylor. He labored to prove
that Gen. Taylor was not nominated from his
supposed availability, as MIR. Webster stated ;
and then confessed and boosted of it-inter-
preting an available candidate to be one whom
the people wanted. Mr.. Hill exposed his
(N1r. Howze's) Standardization, and replied
that Taylor's supposed availability lay in the
Wing misunderstanding of the peoples Wis
dom and integrity-that availability, as ap-
piled to Taylor, meant gullibility-supposing
they would run mad with military enthusiasm.
Mr.. Hill proceeded then to discuss his LIST, I'd,
Sd, and 9th points. The wings were respon-
sible for the war, through John Tyler, as their
agent, who brought about annexation, which
they say caused the war-whom, in 1910,
they said was so pure and consistent Wing.
They were stopped from discarding his acts
by the course they were at present pursuing ;
again pressing upon the American people a
man about whom they know nothing, and
who, if he should in any way destroy the Eb-
critics of the country, they would relieve them
selves of the responsibility, by disavowing his
acts. Mr. Hill charged this on the Wings not
because he disapproved the war, but 10 show
the more strongly their inconsistency in oppo-
sing it, after, by the approval by the Demo
Gratis in 1914, it became war OF the whole
country. He then read extracts from Clay
and Corwin's speeches, and from different
Wing papers, 10 prove that the Wings were
, the friends of Mexico, and then Showed how
the Mexicans endeavored to hold out until
this election, in hopes their friends would
get into power He stated that he believed if
!, they (the Whigs) had behaved periodically
there would have been no fighting after the
Buena Vista battle. They were responsible
consequently, for all the blood and treasure
spent between Vera Cruz and Mexico, &c
&c. The End point was proved by all the
newspapers now published, and the speeches
now made. The Ord was proved, by the Wings
. styling themselves, as the Federalists did, the
conservative party, and croaking Of ruin to
the country every time small portion of pow.
er was delegated TO the people; by the dicta.
torial letters of Gen. Taylor; by the opposi
ton TO this country in the Mexican war, as
. the Feds did to the war of 1912 ;-Democrats
e confidence in the people as creed of the par.
ton; their support of the war in Mexico. I'll
point-read Webster's remark about the can
didates to the Wings at Marshfeld-and re-
{ piled TO the traitorism of Van Buren, in thi!
connection-that if Cass did as well as he did
n the South could not complain. In reply, Mr.
: Howe asked for declaration of our prnci
: pies with regard TO war and territorial acquisi
n ton; said we had none. Mr.. Hill replied, WI
i stood upon Jackson's advice, Ask nothing
: but What is right, submit to nothing that il
5 wrong,"--upon the declaration of Cass, quo
r ting Declaration of independence, I'VE hol(
e all other nations enemies in war, in peace
!. friends > the Wings could not say this. Th'
II LIST and Ord point seemed to gall them wors
S than any others.
MR.. HILL CHARGED THE WINGS,
1sl-With having caused war, and theI
by factious opposition TO it and its supporters
# prolonged it; thereby causing mach unneces
n sary bloodshed and suffering; thereby show
d ing that they were actuated by party spirit
!, without regard to love of country or its wei
q fare.
!. 2nd-With a shameless desertion of al
. principles and measures, or with an attemp
# covertly to force upon the people policy AM
:. measures which they have often condemne
!. and do now abhor.
9rd-Of being identified in their genera