Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1853-02-09


then have thrown off the county OF Ashe to Iennes-
see, and separated it from all the other Districts in
the Stale. They had for not incorporating it
into district, and therefore left it connected by its
north-easter with the county of Surry,
to append it to the district below. Why was our
district put in the most irregular and inconvenient
form possible? Why did not our representatives, in
a body, protest against it? Though have not be-
fore me the journal showing their votes yet have
been informed thata number of them, viz: those per-
sonally hostile TO actually supported this derange-
ment.
Why were they thus regardless of the rights of
their constituents to have as convenient dis
trict possible Is it pretended that there any
public necessity? Was there even any party rea-
son for ii! By means, for party considerations
were just the other way. Our district had already
wing strength in it than any other in the State,
and did not therefore need additions party grounds
On tho contrary, by throwing Oft Cleaveland to one
district, and putting Aste instead OF likes, to anoth-
er they have given the Democrats better chance to
carry Them 1t will not do for them TO say merely
that tho members from those districts desired that ar
rangement, for it their business to see, IN the
general Disposition, that justice was done TO their
own constituents If they should allow all the
public money to be appropriated by other Sections
could they Justify themselves to their constituents by
pretending that the representatives of the favored
had consented and agreed 10 take all the pub
lie money. Ii is part of the business OF each rep
Iesentat've that justice is done his own Sec
ton. | repeat, then, why was It, that In defiance
of all public considerations, in disregard OF the ordi-
nary party obligations, in contempt of the claims OF
their constituents fair treatment, why was 1t that
this most irregular and inconvenient shape was given
! TO the district! The moment this question is pro-
pounded, every Of you, fellow Citizens VIII an
swer it in the same way. 1t done, gentlemen,
III the hope that they mis- ht thereby be able to beat
me. If it had been known in Raleigh on the first
day of December last, that was dead man, no one
will pretend that any such district as this would
have been made.
1t has been your misfortune, fellow citizens, in the
independent exercise of your rights to offend certain
persons in the of the State, by choosing
your representative in Congress. They and their
managers having failed get beaten, have Ceter-
mined that you shall longer exercise your rights
in opposition their Wishes and have resolved that
your voice shall be stified by unequal Legislation.
Finding that their agents among you had not been
able 10 carry out their wishes, they have thus deter
mined to alter the district and throw in weight
enough to crush opposition. In carrying out their
views they have found willing instruments in those
representatives whose dctation you have rcpudiated
in the two last Congressional elections.
And to you, gentlemen, of Wilkes and Watauga,
have to say that in tearing you away from your
neghbors and former associates that surround you r
Ashe, and SurIv, and Nadkin, and Alexander, they
have been actuaed by no wish to advance your ine-
rest or promote your convenience. In throwing you
into connection with those, between whom and your
self there is lerritoria and liite business po
Iitica association, their sole purpose has been TO
make use Of you as instruments TO beat me with.
They have respect for your feelings than
any despoi has for the wishes of the platoon of SOL
diers he orders out shoot man, who is hated and
feared because he is the advocate OF the rights and
Liberties of the people. They have given the order,
but, thanks free system, it is for to decide
whether you will obey 1t not. Like IhenIStocles,
the Athcnan, say you. strike, but hear me-" If
circumstances should place before you a
candidate, have fears but that gu will give me
a fair trial.
l understand that my opponents chucklIng
their fancied success and boastng Of the future.
They think that they transfer freeborn Americans
like the serfs Of Russia. that sold with the land
on which they live. They may be mistaken. The
seemingly best laid consplTacss often fail, and are
the means of elevalng him they were formed to de-
sroy, and OF bringing discontinue on their authors.
Will this be successful, TO be executed six
months hence and requiring the cooperation of thou
sands of honest and innocent men They ought to
remember that those who are conscious OF bad mo-
tives, and of dishonest purposes, have already lost
half their strength. Fraud sends her followers into
battle i'll assured and full Of misgivings At the mo-
of the greatest peril when they most need her
assistance, she abandons them 10 defeat and dis
grace. How different the condition of those who GO
into struggle inspired with right purposes and con-
scious rectIude. 1t has been said that suppressed
Indignation is the strongest motive power upon EARTH
If there be a higher power it is that which honesty
of purpose and confidence in just cause give. The
most remarkable feature among all the wonderful
things in our revolutionary history is the confidence
which forefathers had in the justice OF their
cause, and the belief, that Providence was on
their side, in spite Of all the difficulties and dangers
that beset hem in the end of the contest they would
be the victoTs. tits amazing the power and energy,
struggle against difficulties, which that conscious
ness gives Ii is higher feeling than Ca
sar's naughty confidence when he cheered on his
timid pilot. That confidence failed the worlds eag
le-eyed copqueror in the Roman Senate hall. But
who doubts the frmnes of the 1" rock of ages
q" Heaven and earth may pass away but it will
stand. This confidence connects its possessor with
high. eternal principle that must be triumphant in
the end of all things, and inspiring him with vast
swelling emotions, tell him he cannot be conquered.
Under such feelings is ready to court danger,
and strike all that lies in his way.
You will bear me witness, fellow citizens, that
while in your service l have not Stunned attacks
when a of duty required that they should be
met Though have many times been obliged to
encounter popular preiudices, yet in lying the
ultimate Justice or your decision, | have been
disappointed. The station hold could not be desi-
rabe to any man of talent from pecuniary con-
sderations. For the honor connected with it, it may
we'll be so deemed But there can be no honor to
him who holds it by sacrifice of principle. l have
obtained it by concealment of opinion unwor-
thy artifce. | am willing to hold it only in open,
manly, and independent, manner. Were it otherwise,
would not be worthy TO represent American free
men. will choose that line of action which seems
patriotic and right in itself, fearing but that
you will have intelligence enough to perceive the
justice of my COURSE and honesty enough to sustain
it.
In my speeches for the three last years, declared
to you in the most emphatic manner, that l would
not in his principles and his position, to
section; but that the contrary any one hostile to
us should have my decided opposition. l redeemed
that loArr NJ -