North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-05-28
THE FIRST DISTRICT.

The Consolidaonists of the First District have at
length succeeded in bringing out candidate for
Congress in opposition to Mr.. C!ngman. Col. B. S.
Gather is the man. The last Rutherfordton Banner
contains the following:
.sThe Congressional campaign was opened here
Tuesday of last week, Col. b. S.. Gather decar-
ing himself candidate in opposition to Mr. Cling
man.
Mr.. c. led off, explaining and attempting to Justify
his votes the SO called Compromise measures, but
soon gave the floor to his opponent, remarking that
he did not know what points would be raised and
what differences of opinion would be found 10 exist
between himself and Col. G.
Col. Gather then and spoke about three hours
He commended that Mr.. G.. had misrepresented his
District, and that if he had been in Congress he
should have voted for the measures-not that he did
not have objections to them, but considering them
whole and as compromise he should have felt bound
10 support them. He said that if he should be elect
ed and South Carolina attempted secede he 1vOud
Uote for giring the President and money TO force
her back into the Union, and called Mr. e. say
what would be his course and had as we'll re-
mark here that Mr. c., in his reply, declared that he
would leave that an open question until the event
happened, and that his would then be govern
ed by circumstances.
Col G. laid great stress upon the fact that those
measures were concocted by 50 many and such pure
patriots, among whom he enumerated Clay, Cass,
Foote and others. We really amused at his
unbounded confidence in, and adulaon of his politi-
cal god, Henry Clay; and i: seemed US that he
VOuIQ perfectly SdIS0eQ assured that that states
man and the Union could live forever, matter what
grievances might be inflicted by the latter and what
recreance might be on the part of the former We
admire Mr.. Clay for his brilliant talents but we firm
ly believe that nothing but the high position he had
won, and the respect and veneration universally
teTtained for him. has prevented his course on
the slavery question from sinking him into disgrace
and covering him with odium throughout the South
States.
! We did not hear all of Gel. G.'s speech, being
compelled to leave the Court House for nearly an
hour and he concluding when We returned.
But 1t is due to jus to say that have all couf-
dence IN his candor, and however We may differ with
him in opinion willing to admit his honest
sincerity. We esteem him and as a law
yer, for his urbanty and genlemanly department and
/ for his professional skill and ability; but we think
he is blinded by the empty Of Union, and sings
his hosannas in too high tone. We too, reverence
! the Union, but not for its name and though much
should be sacrificed for its perpetuy, do think
that every other consideration should be yielded for
| its sake.
Mr.. Clingman replied in a speech of an hours
length or something more; and i'll estimatorSfu-
ly met and thoroughly confuted the arguments of his
opponent. Col. q. was badly posted up, both in
gard to late political movements and the geographical
position of our late territorial acquisitions, and seemed
| to US to be going by guess about half his time. On
The other hand Mr.. G. perfectly at home in all
these matters, and thereby possessed great aGvan-
! tage. They both agreed upon the subject of the
tariff, and both admitted that the South had sustained
injury, but not such injury would JUSTIFY rebel
lion And the main differences of opinion seemed to
grow out OF their respective sentiments concerning
the Union. We could not help thinking that they
stood thus Mr.. G. desires the Union and the Rights
of the South Col. g. desires the Union. We do
by this that Col G. does not desire and
will not contend for the rights OF the South, but that
he would make too great concessions for the sake of
the Union-that he would yield principle for name.
We shall probably notice some other points
week, VIII ich have time do. In con-
cluson gives pleasure say that the discussion
nnnIno foH fhoc Ifof
and that the contest is purely political one, each
gentleman expressing the highest personal regard for
The other.
Both the candidates have many and influential
friends, and the contest will no doubt be
but from all that learn we believe Mr.. Cling
man will be reelected by large majority, though
believe that Col. Gather will run him closer than
any other man in the District could.''
If We understand Col. Gathers position correctly,
he is for the Union at all hazards and under all CIR
cumsances; and he will vote, if elected, give to
the President and money with which to crush
a sovereign State Here is the issue, boldly and
clearly made
If State should nullify law of Congress, and,
remaining in the Union, should seek to escape the op-
Grafton Of that law while enjoying the benefit of 9TH
ers it would be the duty of the General Government
disregard such notification and enforce the law
if necessary, at the point of the bayonet; but if
State whose people had been injured and nsuIted for
years by portion of the other States should in the
exercise of her deliberate Judgment, come to
the conclusion that her permanent safety and indie
pendence could be secured only by Withdrawing from
all political association with those other States and
should she thus withdraw by the solemn act of her
people in Convention assembled, we hold that there
IS no power in this Federal Government to prevent
ler from doing and that any attempt TO or
subjugate her, by the President by Congress,
would amount 10 the grossest tyranny and usurpation.
This Union cannot be held together by force.
It was bottomed common interests and common
affections, and when these shall have finally failed
t will be gone forever.
We have heretofore recorded our opinion in rela-
ion TO the contemplated action of South Carolina
We believe that State to be in error in separating
herself from her sister slavehodng States, and we
AVE appealed 10 her, in feeble way, to pause
n her course; but she has sympathies in the
truggle in which she is engaged, and we would re- I
yald any demonstration of force against her in case
he secedes, demonstration against all the slave
folding States, and calculated to arouse them ALL
n arms, if necessary, against consolidated and
snrping government. The blow which falls upon
south Carolina UiH be bLoo aimed at The institution
Slavery; and the arm which may deal it will be
erved and Strengthened by such men as Seward
summer, Chase, Wade, and Hale. Col, Gather pro-
oses if elected, 10 unite with these in this work
f usurpation and of blood! s.r
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