Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-07-13

DR.. J. B. SEAvY. HarreIl's Store, New anover co.
JesEPR r. KEMP, Baden county.
Dr. SHERWOOD, strickland's, DupIin county.
B. s. KooNcE, Richlond, Onsow county.
From the North CaroniaR.
OUR DISTRICT.
The reader has seen by our last paper, that
we were requested by Mr.. Reid 10 announce
him as a candidate for Congress in this Dis
trict, in opposition TO the regular nominee,
Mr. Ashe. We said also, that this was free
country, and any man had right to be can
didate who chooses to derlare himself. This
doctrine, of course, is correct, in a general
sense. In one sense, Mr. Reid has the right
to declare himself; but looking al Mr., Reid
as politician an open, avowed, warm pol
ilician, aspiring to and often attaining the We
ry front positions in political debate and pre-
ferment, we deny to him the priviledge TO de-
clare himself candidate in this case.
But ever since Mr. Reid left the wing par
IL, and turned democrat (his motives for do
ing so have long since been impeached, but
of that we will say nothing,) he has professed
himself on all occasions, so far as the demo-
cratic party know, warm, Jealous, firm dem
ocrat eve say he has so expressed himself
10 his party, and by that We judge him.) He
has been the advocate of Conventions-he
has been nominated by Conventions-he has
abided by the decisions of Conventions; be
has, in fact, recognized all the forms, miles,
practices and presidents of strict party organ
ization. When a candidate, he has called
loudly on the party to sustain him. He has
called upon the party in the name of democ-
racy-he has demanded the support of the
democrats upon the faith of their party allegi-
ance; but now, forsooth, he comes forward
and 1ramples under his feet, the forms, rules.
practices and precedents which have many a
time carried him into office and allows his
ambition, or his personal plque at Mr.. Ashe,
or his disafeciion 10 democracy-one or all
to make him repudiate party allegiance, and
set up for himself, in the very teeth of the de.
cision of large and respectable body OF his
party frends-the very men who have Otter
supported, defended, and voted for him, under
the impression that he was true democrat
true 10 the principles, as well as the practices
and presidents, of the party.
If Mr.. Reid had never been professor o
the expediency and necessity OF party organi
cation, we would hold our pen.
What can Mr.. Reid have to say in defence
of his course Was his name proposed il
Convention by any one Did il receive any
respectable number of votes If such was
the case, the proceedings do not show it. The
Convention, looking TO what it supposed tC
be the good of the country, and the purity o
democracy, nominated MIR. Ashe. And is j
becoming in a party man to repudiate thi:
nomination-even if it were an unwise one
which we deny'
That Mr.. Reid is ambitious OF political dis
tinction, the democratic party need no evI
dence. He has been a candidate again ant
again.
A laudable ambition is commendable ; bu
that ambition which seeks its own gratiica
ton at the expense of friends, principle, AM
consistency, as selfish.
We have now said all we desire 10 say, ex
cept few closing remarks in regard TO th'
mystery which appears to hang over this cours
OF MIR. Reid.
Mr.. Reid called on US 10 announce him Of
Monday the 25th June. On the Thursday i'm
medately preceding, he was in this town.
He was asked the question whether he was
candidate or not. And he was told that such
report was out. & the truth ought to be known
H-He positively declared that he pas not
candidate He had no idea Of it. He sal
there was some dissatisfaction expressed, an
he had been told that if he would come ou
they (the pers ons who told him) would sup
port him but he refused.
Is it not strange-aye, passing strange-tha
three days--72 hours-wrought such chang
in Mr.. Reid?
On Thursday, neither the conduct OF tn
Convention-the nomination-nor the nomi
nee, had made it necessary, or had prompte
Mr.. Reid to be a candidates. but on Monda
the chameleon changed, and that which o
Thursday was true blue democracy, becam
green disafecton on Manday.
Let the democratic party of this Distric
Judge for themselves from this reasoning an
these facts what candidate they ought 10 SUP
port.
din Honorable Man.-Although a man can
not be an honorable man without being a
honest man, yet man may be strictly homes
without being honorable. Honesty refers t
pecunary affairs: honor refers to the princi
Piles and feelings. He may pay his debt
punctually. he may defraud no man. and ye
he may act dishonorably. He acts dishonor