Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-11-04
THE WILMINGTON JOURNAL.

THE WILMINGTON JOURNAL
Weare gratified to learn, do from Mondays
;ssue of the Journal that that paper did not intend,
IN its article of the 18th which we have heretofore
copied to impeach the motives of Gov. Reid in con-
nection with the appointment of Directors in the
Wilmington and Raleigh Railroad Company. In
deed that paper says
off the Standard had only looked coolly at our
language, it would not have written the article
have quoted from it. 1t would have that so
fr from impeaching Governor Reds motives we
have defended them against the insinuations of the
Wilmington Herald, by showing that he could not
have been actuated by those imputed to him. If
candidate for the Senatorshp which is limited at by
the Herald, he could have had nothing to gain by
counting the opposing party-again limited at by the
Herald The inference is unavoidable, that the ap-
pontment dictated by other considerations than
those of selfish interest connected with any aspra-
tons to the Senatorship otherwise. 1t sevident
then, that we have made no charge on Gov. Reid,
nor even expressed any opinion to whether he is
or not candidate for the Senate Our only ailu-
sion the matter being incidental in reply to the
implied charge of the Herald.
4 gratutous defence is equivalent to an accusa-
ton The Standard, in defending Governor Reid
from charge not made by us-that of seeking the
enatorship-assumes the responsibility of that
charge ITSELF as it is the first to give it publicity.
Even suppose that Gov. Reid does look to the Sena-
torship-he has perfect right to do so. 1t is an
honorable ambition-and he has rendered good and
efficient service to the Democratic party. We have
made no declaration Of opposition to Gov. Reid,
az the Standard seems to say, nor have express
ed any choice. Like almost everybody else, we have
our personal preferences, but these, of course are
subordinate to the decision Of the Democratic par
ty. We do object to its being regarded fore
gone conclusion that this that man has pre-
scriptive right to the Senatorship. We know of no
such rights. The decision of Democratic caucus
is the only thing of binding authority, in party
sense in this matter, yet the tone of the Standard
would seem to intimate its opinion that some such
right does exist and that are bound to recognise
it. We hope this only in seeming, for, if seriously
entertained, it would be totally unworthy of the
usual good sense of that paper
We assure contemporary that did " look
cooly" at his language; and that put the same
construction it which it received at the hands of
all others of his friends here under whose observa
ton it came. We may be little impulsiVe when
commenting on the language Of our political oppo-
nents; but we are not wanting, we trust in caution
when constituting the language of, or when likely to
be involved in dispute with, politca! friend The
Editor of the Journal is the best-indeed the only
Judge of his own intentions on an occasion and in
matter like this he says he meant to defend Gov.
Reid against the mputations Of the Herald; and we
therefore take him at his word, and withdraw any
remark we may have made, based on different
construction of his course. Yet the Journal must
not assume that offered "gratuitous defence
of Gov Reid. 1t was quite clear to us, when we
replied to the Journal that that paper had charged,
by indirection, that Gov. Reid aspirant to
the Senatorship; and referred to the charge
connected as thought it was in the Journals ar
tce with his action in relation to the Railroad Di
rectory-iust in such terms as we would have m
p!oved if any other Democrat but himself had been
Chief Magistrate of the State That is all.
We are no mans partzan for the Senate. Our
position is one of strict neutrality and have not
departed from that position. We object quite as
strongly as the Journal object, ito its being
garded as foregone conclusion that this or that
man has prescriptive right to the Senatorship."
There are two Senators to be elected and those
alone will be entitled to the places who nomna-
ted in Democratic caucus. This journal never has
and never can eliminate" any thing to the
trary.
We can also assure the journal that we have no
wish to engage in unfrendly discussion with it.
We sincerely desire harmony in the party in New
Hanover, and elsewhere in the State Let none of
US forget that a soft answer turneth away wrath,
but grievous words stir up anger" If angered at
each other, we may divide; and if we divide during
the ensuing Assembly, shall be defeated and
Frustrated by the adversary. Our sympathes are
entirely with the Journal against the Herald and
Commercial andwe ready, as the friend of that
paper, to say well done! to every handful of cpl
derms which it may peel from the hides of those
hardened political sinners. Nevertheless, we have
our own views of justice and of public duty; and
our contemporary may be informed, if it does not
know the fact already that not to be deferred
by any fear of consequences, from expressing those
views frankly and plainly the occasion may seem
to require.