Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-06-10
$50 For the Standa I'd
DISCUSSION IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

DISCUSSION IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
= M Ep1roR. Mr.. Bragg met Gen sDock kerry Is APP
poiatment at Troy on the 22nd inst, an q we were
much pleased to see quite large mum Der OF our
good citizens already assembled when we reached
the Court House.
The people feel a lively interest lin the c anyass
which is under progress, and are anxious to know
the result of each discussion; and if tn report
of our opponents be heard alone, fair and Impair
tial representation for each party, is not to be ex
peeted.
1t NAV be that what we propose to say will not
chime in very well with the feelings of Gen. Dock
crys friends yet Justice dem ands that we deal plain
w in the matter. We feel inability to do Justlce
to the noble effort of candidate, the gallant Mr..
Bragg, who opened the discussion by reInarklnS'
that as he was not generally known throughout che
State and was candidate, by nomination, tor hlSh
position he felt that it was his duty to visit ms 1ei
low citizens,-let them see what manner VI ihan 1
was and acquant them with his views as 70 suGh
matters as pertained to the welfare OF North Garon
ma and might fall within the sphere OF the once 10
which he aSpired-was in favor of common SCHOOLS
would rejoice if every child in the State, poor and
rich could be educated and ignorance OF every sort
banished from our mldst-and desired tnal ct:'y
dollar be applied to the diffusion of knowledge which
n w Use policy would dctate-was a friend to nter-
nal improvements and wished to see all suchw works.
as had been undertaken by the State, carried on 10
completon-woud not undertake to name any par
ticular sum- as the ma Ximum amount, to which the
State ought to involve itself for other works OF I'M
proyement. His appreciation would depend on the
character of the work. probable cost and the sum
subscribed by private individuals. Ii good Will
alone could produce the effect would have the re-
sources of the State speedily developed and every
farmer within limits should have market at
home But all great projects should ever be under
taken after mature reflection, accurate calculation,
and with strict eye to that revenue which the Peo-
pie must raisc-felt little sympathy with those men
who made fair promises to the ear only to break
them to the hope His opponent had said in the
East (for the purpose of frightening the people he
supposedly that an extension of the Central Railroad
east and west, would cost 200 600, the an
pual interest ON which sum would be 100000
Since that time he has admitted that he does not be-
lieve the proceeds of the public lands will ever be
divided among the States but still he is in favor of
an extension of the Central Rail Road, and conse-
uuently of taxing the people to raise SO goo,
and vet has the inconsistency to complain that
for 6urdeaing and grinding dozen the people by tax
alton. The game is to hold up 1attering promises,
that grand improvements shall be made, common
schools built up, and many splendid things accom-
pshed; and then propose mode of payment,
which Gen. Dockery knows and has admitted, to
be impossible. He calls me County Court quib-
bier, and seems exceedingly FESTIVE under the i'm
prudent admission, he terms it, but am deter
mined to hold him it. for he knows it to be true.
Next, as to the public lands of which we hear
much in North Carolina. Now if distribution be a
wing measure, why, in the name of good sense did
the National Wing Convention which assembled at
Baltimore fail to insert it in their platform, an
tcle of faith? They surely could not have forgot
ten so important subject, and yet they 81
IL.
this is not part of the wing creed, and has only
been taken up here in North Carolina for the pur
of making capital. The wing party had always OPP
posed the acquisition of territory. The opposed the
acquisition of Florida Louisiana, the territory of
Nebraska the annexation of Texas, and Califo:-
mia, the land of gold was held up in rdicule before
the people, as mass of barren rock and sand; and
yet soon the democrats have acquired territory
this same party sets itself up the special guardian
of all our lands. ION this subject Mr.. Bragg was
felicitous-so eloquent that, sure We arc, many
eyes were made to brighten and many bosom swell
ed high with pride) But, says Mr., has the prac-
tice of the whig party this subject been in &C
cordance with their preaching? Tn 1910 they were
in power, and passed bill giving away to nine of
the States to the tune of 5000 900 of land
EACH and the old States to have their portion
condition, that the tariff should not rise above 20
per cent At the very next session they raise the
tariff and defeat the measure Gen. Dockery threw
the blame on John Tyler, the wing President; but
why did they insert that prOeSO to the old States?
There the error. His opponent complains that |
the democrats squandering the public lands, and
particularly, he denOunccs in bitter words the dona-
ton to the Illinois Central Rail Road. That grant
had been made on the principle of alternate sections
by which the government had actually lost no money,
and it was not party measure, it had been voted
for by many wing members and signed by the mod |
ell President, Willard Fillmore. Why did Mr. Fill |
moro NOT veto the bill if he considered it SO enor-
mously unjust, as he was in duty bound? General |
Pierce had been denounced for having vetoed the |
Insane bill, and instead of answering the arguments
VI Inc ScIo IieSSdSe, anu proving 10 the people |
wherein the President had erred Gen. Dockery
chose rather to appeal to the sympahes of the peo
pie in behalf of an unfortunate class of society,"
Was that fair course to be pursued? The Gener-
al had seen fit 20 charge him with quibbline and |
humbngng the pie; but he only desired that the |
people should judge between them.
In conclusion, Mfr. Bragg showedup to the full sat-
isfaetion of every unprecedented mind, the garngly
inconsistent course of the wing leaders on the sub
ject of Free Suffrage They first oppose it with |
might and MAN, through their presses and through |
Chas Manly, their candidate for Governor but find
ing that course would not do, they turn around and
even have the condescension to tell the people that
they, the wing leaders, actually willing that a
vote be taken the subject and thereby ascertain
the important fact whether not the peoDle desir-
ed free suffrage. Again they shift their sails after
the defeat of Mr.. Kerr and tell in their platform
that they are of opinion that the pe0ple desire a |
change in their organic law and they are for calling
q restricted convention to decide on what amend
Inents ought to be made. Thus, after opposing
then pretending to have objection that the people
take vote on the subject and at the same time en-
deavoring to kill it by ridicule they finally defeat
the measure in the Legslature-hatch up a plan, in
caucus, to throw the blame the democrats and |
then go for restricted convention, knowing at the
time the impossibiIty of passing an Act in the
Legislature by the requisite majority, to call such
convention. And now, Gen. Dockery processes to
be good free suffrage man. only he is opposed to |
the Legislature which is generally composed of fool
sh boys inter fering with sacred instrument as
the Constitution, and is for a restricted convention;
yet he goes on further and informs us that he wrote
letter. some years ago, to Mr. Rowland in favor of
free suffrage, and since then advised the Commoner
from Richmond to vote for the measure in the Leg