Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-11-04
COMMUNICATED.
The state Canvass of1s54,

by the citizens of North Carolina since the forma
ton of the new Constitution. The result will pro-
badly decide the political complexion of the State
Government for a series of years and determine
whether Democratic principles, administered by
Democratic men, shall control, or whether the old
Wing regime shall be re-instated into power. The
most important immediate consequences depending |
upon the result of this canvass, the choice of
United States Senators, whose election will devove
upon the next Legislature. Secondary in impor-
lance to these, the various State Offices which
are filled by the Legislature Thus, not only its
remote. but its immediate consequences conspire to
render the State canvass of 1854 one of prominent
importance to the citizens of our State.
But while the canvass is regarded by both the po
ltica parties of great Importance it looked to
with peculiar interest by the whole Democratic par
ty of the State For number Of years they battled
against firm and unyelding majority the result of
each successive canvass for Governor being the
nouncement of Wing victory. The Democratic
party altered not but true to its principles, and de-
voted their pursued that object with deter
mined energy activity and zeal In l848. our pres
ent excellent Governor, the gallant Reid, was pla-
ced in the field he seized the Democratic banner,
ana writing thereon Free Suffrage broke the centre
was placed in his hands, and now it lead to victory.
Again in 1852 he selected to lead the Democrat
ic party, and again routed the Wings, led on by
their chosen champion, horse foot and Dragons In
November following, the vote of the State was given
to Franklin Pierce for President. Should these VIC
tories be sealed. as it were by another equally go
rious, it will he regarded decisive for years to
come, of the political character Of the State The
canvass for Governor will greatly influence the COM
pexion of the Legislature, and through it affect the
results dependent upon its action. For these rea
sons, Democrats feel deep interest in the canvass
Of next year, and of course in the selection of
dida,e for the Office of Governor.
Ii is obvious that it will be the duty and the inter-
est of the party, in addition to choosing sound and
| reliable Democrat to select an available manly
which mean, able to promu gate and defend
the principles of his party before the people, tho
roughly imbued with Democratic feelings and senti.
ments and possessing agreeable and attractive man.
ners. Justice and propriety would also dictate that
the claims of section of the State not recent. hon
ored with a nomination, should be considered. And
here we will remark, that while the Democratic
strength lies in the East the first four COMPRESSION
al Districts being Democratic by very large
maj Orities,-we the Democrats of the
West that their Eastern brethren entertain the
most liberal feelings towards them. The difficulties
under which they have labored flu ly apprecia-
ted, and their indomitabe perseverance under the
most dscOuraging circumstances, elected the warm
est admiration. They desire to be liberal not only
in the conerment of honors but also in legislating
always having due regari to the interests of the
State at large more than this no true Western man
In tho SOLE Of q data for
nor, therefore, we do not hesitate to say, that we
should be gratifed to see the honor conferred u on
a Western man. pledging to him in advance the uni
ted support c. the Democracy of the East.
Of the individuals whose names have been men,
toned in this ection, Dr. COLUMBUS Mills. of
Rutherford county, has been received with great ia
vor in this section of the State by those who have
the pleasure OF knowing him. He possesses all the
elements calculated to ensure pton-
al antecedents, captivating manners, able and
powerful debater, and is firm, unfnching working
Democrat Owing to the fact of his being citizen
Of a county usually giving several hundred Wing
majority. he has had little opportunity of making
himself known to the public. He has served but
one session in the Legislature-as Senator in the
session of 1867 when he won for himself the ia
| vorabe opinion of all with whom he came in
contact, and the confidence of his party. The fact
of his election occasion, and his defeat by
only few votes another, when he was opposed
by an influential Wing. in County of such decided
political character Rutherford is proof of his pop
ularty at home in wider field the qualities which
have gained for him the confidence of his ne hbors
would secure him favor with the public. In biz
County canvass he espoused the cause of Free Suf
" fr0ge and opposed earnest ~ the calling of Con
= vention to amend the Constitution, thus placing
himself emphatically and clearly on the platform o
q the Democracy of the State. In the Senate he dis
g tinguished himself by defending the National Ad
: minstration of Mr.. Pc k, opposing the passage o
e the notorious Mexican preamble of the Wings VIII
e voted the war with Mexico to have been commenced
IF by the unconstitutional act Of the President. Dur
IS ing the same session with commendable liberalit
u ich will not forget, and which gained for hin
1t many friends in this section of the State, he sus
It tanned the measures designed to relieve the vii
It mington Railroad from pressing endorsements.
His legislative services mark the liberal yet pruden
f. man. In the prime Of life, of sterling integrity
of and n cultivated intellect he would make most &C
is ceptable Governor While have confidence j
s. the ability of the Democracy to carry the Stat
} under any leader who may be selected and agains
4 the most determined efforts of the Wings we kno,
of no individual who would be likely to receive
, larger maj ority than DR.. MILLS
v Agreeably to the time honored usage of the par
ty, a Convention will, of course, be held to seec
q candidate. Whoever is chosen the bearer of III
* standard in the ext canvass, We shall most cheer
~ fully support. What we have said is not desgne
o. to anticipate the action of the Convention but prir