Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-07-27
TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF
THE SEVENTH DISTRICT.

gust, the independent voters of this District
will again be called upon to choose re-
preventative in the Congress of the United
States. and before another issue of our paper
that choice will inevitably have been made.
As this, therefore, will be the last opportunity
we can enjoy of addressing our readers before
the day of election, we would here beg leave
to submit plain and candid statement of the
history and events of The canvass now pend
ing between Messrs Ashe and Reid. 1t is for
the sterling Democracy of the District to form
their own conclusions, and act accordingly at
the ballet-box E $685.
When, in April last. it was understood that,
in consequence of i'll health and other overru-
ling causes, our late distinguished representa-
tive, Gen Mckay, could not again submit to
reelection, the holding of District Con-
vention was recommended, for the purpose OF
nominating candidate, and that recommen-
dalion was responded to by the Democracy OF
every County in the District, in each and ev-
cry one of which meetings were held and
delegates appointed to the Convention. In
six of the Counties, preference was express
sed-two naming Mr.. Dobbin as their first
choice, three Mr.. Ashe, and one Mr.. Averitt !;
but pledging their fullest support 10 the noml.
nee of the Convention, whoever that might
be- Ii is worthy of remark, before closing
this branch of the inquiry, that, although as
before stated, meetings upon the subject were
publicly held in all the nine Counties of the
District, not one syllable was brealhed during
the whole time against the expediency of hold
ing the Convention. We repeat it-not syl-
liable!
In pursuance of appointment, the Conven-
ton met al Clinton, on the Dist of May last.
We think no man will gainsay US when we
assert that that Convention was composed of
gentlemen of as high standing for respectable
ity and intelligence as any in the district, MIR.
Reds sneering insinuations to the contrary
notwithstanding. 1t is for the delegates and
their friends TO say whether they will submit
10 the eontumeIy which Mr.. Reid wishes to
A. IL fo,. IL hioh
delegated them TO say whether they will repu-
diate their own agents at the dctation OF Mr..
Reid.
The result of the deliberations of the Con-
vention-and they were neither hurried nor
hasty-was the nomination of Mr.. Ashe. His
name was submitted to the democratic party
of the district as that of well known and
tried and faithful democrat, and one in every
way deserving of their support. The an
nouncement was hailed by the entire demo-
cratic press of the State, without one excep-
ton, as merited tribute, well earned by long
public services; innumerable sacrifices for the
good of the party, and a steadfast and devoted
adherence to democratic principles. Scarcely
had the Convention adjourned when it was
attacked by the federal press of the district
Its candidate was no sooner announced than
he was bounced upon with more or less vio-
lence by nearly every federal journal in the
State. 1t was announced in leading federal
paper in Fayetteville, the Observer, that there
would be no achig opposition 10 MIR. Ashe. II
was insinuated through communication in
the columns of that paper, and editorially re.
marked in other federal papers, chat som,
democrat should oppose him. Who, arnongs
all tie leading democrats of the district, do WI
find coming out in obedience TO this fedora
dictation, and in opposition 10 the chosen can
didate of his own party, and in defiance OF it
organization: Mr.. Reid and MIR. Reid alone
How did Mr.. Reds announcement first NEE
the light Through the columns of the Fay
etteviile Observer! This is a plain statennen
OF the mode in which each of the candidate
was brought out. We will insult the ihielli
gence Of no democrat BY asking him whicl
he prefers.
Having thus disposed of the nomination
we will now turn TO the canvass. Those VIII
have heard Mr.. Reid speak. are aware tina
the objects of his attack are, Conventions an
Mr.. Ashes Internal Improvement policy
That Mr.. Reid should attack Conventions
certainly strange, for we think the record
will show that the Clinton Convention is abor
the only one, held in either the County or til
District of Mr.. Reids residence, within til
last ten years, before which his name has NJ
been brought. Why be has not oftener bee
the candidate of Convention, may, perhap
be more fully comprehended by reading th
fable of the fox and the grapes. But it is ur
necessary to 60 back further than the last ye;