Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-05-06


In an article which appeared in this paper on
Friday last we remarked that. thus far, we had
forborne any alusion to Convention in this Dis
trict for the purpose Of selecting Congressional
candidate, for several reasons, but chiefly because
we did perceive any demand for iS on the part OF
the Democrats of the District whose desires IN the
matter would. of course, be decisive. Nor had we
found any such dissatisfaction with the course OF
our representative, Mr. Ashe, led to regard the
movement as necessary. Nor, indeed, had we found
any dissatisfaction" These remarks plainly init
mating our belief in the inexpediency of calling
Convention, when under existing circumstances, 1t
did not seem to be required by the people of the Dis
trct WERE as we distinctly stated simply the express
sion of our own views, without committing wishing
to commit other parties Our confidence in the cor
recness of these views already strong, because foun
ded upon careful inquiry and dispassonate exami-
nation has received additional strength from mark
ing the progress of subsequent events. BY Monday
nights mail, we received letter from gentleman
in KenansviIle whose character is above all reproacb
and whose knowledge of public opinion in DuplIn,
is 10 say the least of it, equal to that possessed by
any man in that county. Speaking of the meeting
held at Kenansville, the proceedings of which we
published last week, the writer says:
81 see YOU published in the Weekly of last week,
the proceeding of Democratic meeting in this
county. We have two accounts here as to its num-
bcrs. One person says it was composed OF tUe per-
sons,-the other seuen. My opinion is that there
was Seren-onIy Nine Democrats out OF
every ten in this county willing that VIM. 5.
Ashe should be the candidate again Then
why have sckly convention, for it would be sick
| ly affair just now ~
We agree entirely with the writer in regard to
the feelings of majority of the people, and intima-
ted as much when we published the proceedings of
the Duplin meeting. Convention, under the cir
cumstances already alluded to, would, indeed, We
fear, be rather sickly affair just about now, even
if by any exertons, it could be got together which
we much doubt.
A more emphatic expression of opinion against
the expediency of this County moving for a Con-
vention, whilst of her own was the incumbent
and the sole candidate in the field, could hardly
have been given than was afforded by the meeting
here on Tuesday night last. Properly speaking
there vas no contest and the only effort of those op
posed to the passage of the resolutions they
passed, for the purpose of preventing vote be-
ing taken. Upon the motives of gentlemen we have
no wish to animadvert but this much we must say
that since We have been attending Democratic
meetings. here elsewhere, we have never seer
anything which at all resembled the course o
one or two gentlemen. We would not injur'
them if we could, and even if we were eve
so willing to do so, question if anything
that others could do, could contribute any
thing in that direction to the effects of their Owl
imprudence. We would here remark, lest we should
forget it, and to prevent all misunderstanding, tina
! rbo Cd 1
moving of New Hanover in the matter, on tk
grounds of expedency and out of respect to her OWL
son and citizen, the present incumbent, who is no
willing to acquiesce in a Convention, and be repre-
sented in it, should such appear to be the will an
f decision Of the other counties of the District.
We have seldom been more pleased than with tn
remarks OF Col. Terson They were calm, clear, sen
sibe and to the purpose They were in strict accord
with the known and we'll established principle
of the Democratic party, re-affrmed not year sine
at Baltimore, and trump hantly yindcaed in the cleo
ton of General Pierce. The resolutions in regard t
f the public lands, and to the importation of Raroa
iron free OF duty were sprung upon him, and he cor
: sidered them irrelevant TO the occasion. But as
Democrat, he was prepared TO meet them with the re
cognised principles of the party. He opposed t
, distribution, and to all c1ass-legslaton, VIII
exempt railroad iron from taxation rather than the ro
c for the plough or the hoe OF the farmer. He Anne
: at approximation to free trade as possible
but did not that the nearest way to that end woul
l. be by favorng class and throwing all the burden
on the rest. An equal participation in the burden
and benefits OF by all classes was the pro,
er doctrine
=. If Mr.. Cantwell, and to some extent, Mr. Brya
- talked against time, with the apparent purpose
II preventing the free action of the great majority
the meeting, that majority is certainly rcspons
BILE. 1t bore and forebore with surprising patenc
- and good humor, and finally the resolutions wei
- passed unanimously, and the meeting ad burned i
II peace and quietness. AS We have before remarke
ID it is not for us to reflect upon the motives of the
gentlemen, or any others. Those present will for
their own conclusions.
In conclusion We wish to say that we do M
y desire to be misunderstood about this conventic
re matter. Now and always, we shall, so far as in
lies, uphold the action Of conventions regular
called, we felt it duty to do last summer
case of our county convention, which was called
large primary meeting of which notice had BET
given Tor at least six weeks beforehand. In tn
meeting, numbering some four hundred people, n
, word of opposition was heard. Not word,
IL the point when, if opposition existed it should ha
been shown and would have been strictly in orde
which it was not after the convention had been ca
ed after it had met and after it had acted.
To any convention so called in County, Distri
&c State orUnon, shall give acquiscence and su
T. port; but If, tor reasons which may appear sasfa
o. tory to our Judgment deem the holding of co
~ venon inexpedien we shall oppose the calling of
+ Ii a majority decide against U.S. we shall Cheerful
AT submit and work as hard and denounce factious
es- position TO the nominee as strongly any livir
ESSg1Gov COhh of Gaoroia 10 ont in n 1ono lot