Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-05-19
The DISCUSSION In Fayetteville.

We have lust received the taSeGIeNHe CaIoinI0"
and Observer, containing notices OF the discussion
which took place in that town, on Wednesday last
between Messrs Bragg and Dockery' Democratic anu
Wing candidates for Governor respectively The ac-
commits IN both nauers confirm the impression OF the
3oboo and TIA results which we had already received
tbror,b nrivate source, namely that the advantage
rested plainly and unequivocaly with the Democratic
candidate and to this conclusion, any one VINO knows
the strong preudices which influence the FayetteVHe
Observer will be at no loss to come, alter reading
the following paragraph from its notice OF the debate
sEach party as is usual in such cases, claims the
victory and perhaps each is, in some particulars, en-
titled 10 it. We are free to admit tor instance mat
the professional experience OF Mr. Bragg as an adVo
cate gave him an advantage ever Gen Dockery, IN
the methodica arrangement OF his IDEAS anu IN the
use of words 10 embellish them. But we claim Tor
the General what candid of all parties must con-
cede a vigorous forcible, clear, presentment OF his
sentiments And in opinion, those sentiments are
sound and Just"
Had there been any sort of room for showing, the
Observer would have claimed victory However,
we do not feel sufficiently we'll TO go, at present. in
10 an examination Of the debate, as reported farther
than to notice one point, which is essential to pro-
per understanding of Mr. Braggs position upon In
ternal improvements and 10 the contradiction OF an
erroneous impression-to no harSher t9rm-circu-
lated by General Dockery, in his various speeches
here and elsewhere. We quote from the CarolInIan'
which, we presume, is or oughtto be acquainted Win
the position OF candidate:
'Mr Bragg said his position on the question OF in
ierna improvements had been mlsrepresented by Gen
D., or at least greatly misunderstood. He had been
accused bv Gen d. of saying at Edenton that he
was opposed to the States borrowing the money 10
extend the Central Railroad. What occurred at
Edenton was as follows He had asked Gen. ID. II he
was in favor of extending the Central Railroad he
renlied that he was and then asked Mr.. B. how he
stood on the question. Mr. B. replied that he had
no right to catechise him because he was not then
candidate but that nevertheless he WOULD answer
him His position was expressed by the resolution
of the Democratic State Convention. tie was not IN
favor nj contracting such debt that the means and
resources of the State would not be adequate to pay
ing off the interest. This had been his position at
Fdenton Of course it would be absurd TO talk about
anv extension of q system of internal Improvement
bv the State if the money was not TO be borrowed
for the purpose for that there was no money IN the
treasury He hoped that one would suppose him
so stupid as to have given such an answer as he was
alleged to have made 1t was impossible lie Salu' 10
saw at this time precisely what the means and re-
sources of the State would allow, for that question
depended TO a considerable extent on the success OF
schemes now in process OF construction. II those
schemes turned out well, and paid good dividends
then the means of the State would be greatly IN
creased and he was willing to be as liberal towards
schemes of internal improvement as those means and
resources would allow At Edenton Ger. D. had
harped upon the Tremendous debt which he said the
democratic party would saddle the State with ne
had exhibited figures TO show that the sum OF $780,
900 would have to be raised by direct taxation an
nuay for that the democrats opposed to getting
part of the proceeds from the sales of public lands.
Now, however, he had changed his tune, and was
trying to make it appear that the candidate of II
democratic party opposed to extending the Sys
tenn of internal Improvement