Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-09-08
ONSLOW COUNTY.
Political Discussion at Jacksonville.

present at jacksonville, Onslow County, or
Monday last, during political discussion that
took place there between Messrs. Davis OF
New Hanover, and Washington of Craven
Wing Electors in their respective DISTRICTS on
the part of the Wings, & Messrs. q. s. Steven
son, Democratic Eiector for the fourth DIS
trict, and Edward Cantwell, OF Whining
ton, on the part of the Democrats. The lay
lor;tee If Onslow, from all that we could gath
err. were by no means very "jubilant," as our
neighbor of the Chronicle would say, after the
termination of the days discussion. We don't
think General Taylor was much benefited by
that days work. Their big guns, Davis and
Washington, were, it seems, completely ST.
fenced on this occasion, by two comparatively
young and obscure, but jealous Republicans
Mr.. Davis, "the banner man. as he styles
himself, led off with one of his usual efforts,
and, by the way, it seemed nightly
like T" cold victuals,'' as it was rather a
repetition of the talk of last Wednesday
night, at the Masonic Hall, before the
Rough and Ready Club" with the dsadvan-
tage OF having had time to cool of. Mr.. D..
stated the difference between the parties 10
consist in the one having adopted a creed of
political principles, while the other recognized
no necessity for such an instrument. That
on the contrary, the course of the Demo
Gratis on the Oregon question, showed its alb
surdity that it was attended with the mani
fest disadvantage Of cutting off from the party
all who would not mount the platform that
the tendency of such measure was 10 create
in every town, hamlet, and community, lit
tie clique, and 10 organize general one at
Baltimore, whose uiH, and not that of the peo-
pie, would regulate the standard Of political
faith, without regard to any circumstances
He contended that it was just as absurd to sup
pose farmer capable of fixing with entire &C
curacy the dates upon which he should regu-
larly, in each year, plant, water, and reap his
crop, &c. He complained of Gen. Cass's in
consistency on the Wilmot Proviso question.
He had evaded the question. Gen. Taylor
was identified in interest, in feeling, and posi-.
ton, with US He was also an honest man
and an incorruptible patriot, whom we could
safely trust There was a great deal of cor.
ruption at Washington. The Government had
degenerated into the mere creature of Con.
vention Conventions were sometimes very
unfairly managed. No law could now be
made without the consent of the President
He was, in fact, King. Gen'l Taylor would
remedy all this. He will show these Conven
tons of schening politicians that their regr
majority of the people. (Mr. D. did say some
| thing about Mr.. Fillmore about this time, as
we are positively assured, but our attention
was called off by two more new subscribers
who said they would pay in advance.) We
think, however, Mr.. d. said that Mr.. F. was
falsely represented TO be an Abolitionist, ant
told the people that he was. on the contrary
a very respectable, influential, and wealthy
individual, of perfectly unexceptionabe mora
character, qualifications, &c. In other words
we suppose, very harmless, good natured
&c.) When Mr.. Davis concluded, Mr.. Ste
venson rose to reply, and for about an hon
enchanted his audience with mastery anC
able review of the prominent features of the
Democratic faith. He stated that the party
whose organ he was, had, many years since
laid down certain principles as essential to thu
wel-being and proper administration of TIT
government, and he enumerated them in de
, tail, gancing at the most prominent character
istcs of each in passing. Mr. S. dwell; par
ticularly on the Tarifr-the Bank-the Distri
button of the proceeds of the Public Lands
the Wilmot Provso-the War-and the Inter
nal improvement questions. On each of thes
> questions he announced distinctly and fearless
ly the position of Gen'] Cass, and the opinion
of the Democratic party. He asked the peopl
to take notice that the Democratic party ha
no opinions to conceal or dissemble. 1hei
n principles had been tested during the admins
tration of Mr.. Polk, and had been triumphant
!. ~ INDICATED. Mr.. Cass, he said was pledg
ed against the Wilmot Proviso, and he wa
pledged in favor of the present Tariff: H
would disapprove of any attempt to revive tn
monster Bank. He was man OF undoubte
e abilities and craftsmanship. His name ha
S been identified with the history OF the countr
and his votes and opinions upon every lead
s ing measure were in possession of the public
t Upon these votes and opinions, expressed i
the face of the nation, he was perfectly will
ling to be judged. Genl Butler had also bee
, Identified, during his whole life, with the sam
party. He was also of unquestionabe abili
u ties, and of high character for sta.esmanshi
and virtue. Mr.. S. then passed into an exam
n ination OF the past history of the Wing party
= which, for pungency, wit, and skilful satire
- was the very best thing of the season
l. He sketched, with marked effect, the cam
It paign of 1910, and electrified his audenc
4 with numerous happy analogies between tn
;. biped and quadruped species of Coons, whic
elected loud applause.
= Mr.. Washington, yclept the Joke Cand
date" next took the stand, and opening, wit
i admirable address, in series of the most anu
i sing anecdotes of the last Presidential can
:, paign, diverted the attention of his audienc
y from the issues offered by Mr. Stevenson. H
y regarded Gent Taylor as the candidate not s
=, much of 1he Whip marty as of the neonle -