Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-06-24
THE LATEST FAILURE.

sion that he was opposed to the States borrowing
money for internal improvements. We quote this
certificate in full, with the exception of the names
to show that the certers have either fatally contra
dlcted themselves, or admitted the very fact they
were attempting to disprovel Here it is:
The undersigned, citizens of the County of Chow
an, n q. were at the discussion which took place at
the court House, in Edenton, between Gen. A. Doc
kerry and Thomas Bragg, ESQ.,, on the 10th of April
last and distinctly recoect that Gen. Dockery ask
ed Mr. Bragg the following questions:
p" Are you in favor of the extension of the North
carolina Railroad East to Beaufort and West to the
Tennessee line ?"
To which Mr.. Bragg answered: "I am not to be
cateehised; you have no right to question me"
The General remarked " see you are disposed
to dodge the question. ~
To which Mr.. Bragg replied: 81 am not, sir "
Gen. Dockery then asked the question 'Are you
in favor of the State borrowing money to build that
Road?"
To which Mr.. Bragg answered, clearly and emphat-
ically, No" sir; but am willinga to extend the
Road so far as the and of the State
will justify. !"
The substance of the above is, that Mr. Bragg was
not open to questions, Gen. Dockery was, because
he was not then a candidate; that he was neverthe-
less not disposed to evade the question, for he
phatically says so; that he replied No, Sir but
am willing to extend the Road so far as the means
and of the State will jutify Leaving out
charging on Mr.. Bragg disposition to dodge, and
that Mr.. Bragg replied, "No, and then added the
remainder as above quoted we call attention to the
fact that would say he was opposed to bor-
rowing money for the purpose indicated, and then
added in the next BREATH "but willing to
tend the road far the and resources of the
State will justify" The statement contradicts itself;
and Mr. Bragg is not the man to do that, either in
the same sentence or at all. He knew, every
knows, that money must be borrowed to make these
extensions; and being willing, as these gentle
admit he said he was, to go far as the
means and resources of the State willy justify" it
follows inevitably that he could not have said no.
in this connexion. The certfers must have confu-
sed the matter in their own minds-they must have
misunderstood him. The truth is, his declaration
that he would go to the extent of the "means and
of the State is all that the most decided
improvement could desire; for the means and
nf the State include of course all the pro-
perty, real and personal, within borders. If
there is money in the Treasury with which to
execute these works. a matter Of course it must
be borrowed and the basis of the loan would be the
means and resources of the State. "
Again These certifers and General Dockcry it
seems, disagree. They say that Mr. Bragg said mo"
and then they add "but," &C., as above given
of date Nav IS, that Gen. Dockery declared in Will
mington that he had asked Mr.. Bragg if he was in
favor of borrowing money for the purpose referred
to- and that he answered he not How is this
to be reconcled.'
We repubish below the material portions of Mr..
Bragg's reply on this subject to Col Person:
" l assure you sir, that have been most grossly
as to what said by me upon the
subject of Internal improvements, in the discussion
at Edenton.
In the first place, refused to answer Gen.
Dockerys questions, as has been stated 1t is true
that stated that not candidate, and that he
had right to chatechise me; but that would |
answer, and did answer
What that answer in substance was, will be seen |
from the statement herewith sent of highly respec-
table and intelligent gentlemen, residing in the town
of Edenton who heard the discussion. 1t was very |
received, the evening before your let
ter was handed to me. will only remark, that |
that among the sgners are several prominent Wings,
who, as high-minded, honorable men, know how to
do Justice to political adversary.
am very sure that did not say that was op-
posed to the States borrowing money to extend the
Central Road. knew very well that was the only
practicable way to carry on works of the kind The
dispute was, how large debt it would be necessary
and eXpedient to contract and then how the interest
of the same was be paid-he insisting that it
be dune out of the proceeds of the sales of the
public lands and that the State would have to rely
upon her own means and resources. i'll expressed
myself against borrowing money, what did mean
(see statement of Messrs. Badham and othersD by
saying that was willing to go far as the means
and resources of the State would admit, as not to
ncur debt beyond the ability OF the State to pay,
&C., &c.
thought Gen. Dockery's course in the East was
ather calculated to inure than to benefit the cause
Internal Improvement, which he processes to have
10 much at heart. The magnitude of the debt which
lie said would be incurred by the extension of the
Central Road and then the threat, however untrue,
hat the Democratic party intended to tax the peo-
de to pay it, might well alarm the people of both
parties on that subject; and though he might sue
eed in thus getting votes for himself it must be at
he expense of the Interal improvement cause in
he State.
beg the people of the East to remember that
1en Dockery told them that with the proceeds OF
he public lands, the wings would save them from
axaticn on account of the extension of the Central
Road and also greatly extend the advantages of the
Common schools. Yet, in the county of Moore, where
We spoke few days SINCE he admitted that 1t is
improbable shall get the proceeds OF the sales OF
he public lands. "
Mr.. Bragg has occupied but one position on this
ubect and that is to be found in the Resolution of
he Democratic Convention which nominated him;
nd that Resolution he himself insists before the peo-
e is fuller and explicit on the subject OF in
ernal improvements than the Wing Resolution
This effort the part of the Federalists may be
ct down as their latest failure. The last and most
-erwhelming will take place on the Sd day, OF
august, when Mr.. Bragg will lead his competitor by
DC Of Tho r,ollS