The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1854-05-17
From the Wilmington Herald.
Gen. Dockery In Wilmington.

From the Wilmington Herald.
Gen. Dockery In Wilmington.
According TO appointment. General
Dockery addressed the people Of this
County at the Court House yesterday
afternoon. The Court Room was filled
20 overhowing indeed we have rarely
witnessed at any political meeting in
tins place SO large an assemblage. A.
part from the interest which ordinari-
ly attaches Ia the discussion af paliti-
cal subjects. was felt that natural re.
gard By the Republican Wings for the
success in debate. as we'll as al the
polls. Of their candidate. comparative
" as he was stranger. In the dis
cussion which took place between Gen.
Dockery and >. ]. Person, ESP, (who
appeared for Mr.. Bragg,) We are sure
we speak the conviction Of all the
Wings present, that our candidate bare
himself with an ability, can,Ior. and
honesty worthy of all commentator.
lie surprised aud delighted his hearers.
We had expected plain, straight tor>
ward, strong speech but he added To
all this such an intimate knowledge Of
the subjects he discussed, and illus.
tratcd them so forcibIy, vet SO clearly.
with so much ease and terseness, that
we felt that the Wing cause had an
able, very able defender and support.
or in him. OF this conclusion. We im-
agine, were the Loc0crats, before the
end Of the discussion, for il cannot be
denied, that he bore OH the honors in
this fight.
George Davis, Esq, having intro
duccd, in becoming terms, the General
to the audience, he, after few intro
ductory remarks. took up the subject
Of Constitutional Reform, and avowed
himself in favor Of Free Suffrage. lie
had always been its advocate, and con-
! tended that the people desired this
change in the Constitution. and that he
was ready 10 give il to them. The De-
mocrats had talked. and promised, and
legislated upon this subject, but what
had il all amounted to; alter running
the State to very great expense. the
people were as lar from getting this
change as in the outset. He conten,led
that the shortest. cheapest, surest mode
to have this change effected, would be
the mode proposed by the " Wigs, that
! Of a Convention. By a Convention
properly organized. composed as it
would be of the ablest men IN the State,
elected for the purpose, such change
in the organic law as might be deemed
essential, could be made, aud be rati-
fed by the people in one sixth the time
required BY the Legislative mode. aud
at much less expense. lie was not
afraid to trust the people. The Com
stitution was safer in their hands than
in those Of politicians who tinker at il
for political advancement. In this con-
nection, he paid high compliment to
the distinguished men who CONFUSED
the Convention Of 1853, and gave a
slight history Of Free Suffrage, which
he said was the bantling Of Mr.. Cobb,
Of Georgia, who kindly gave it to Gov.
Reid as hobby.
| Gen. Dockery next referred to Com
mon Schools, and his remarks ON this
head were focible and at times eloquent
lie alluded to the blessings Of Esluca-
! ton, aud his own limited oppnrtuni-
ties when young. As sick man could
appreciate the blessings Of health, SO
deprived Of the benefits Of good edu-
cation as he had been, he knew how to
appreciate them. His head was now
siIyered by age. but all his exertions
had been, and would be, to extend as
far as possible the advantages Of e,lu
cation over all the State. His remarks
on this head were appropriate. and feel
mgly expressed.
On the subject Of Internal Improve
ments, he was as in all things else,
candid. and above board. lie had al
ways been the friend Of Internal Inn
provements. He was in favor Of the
extension Of the Central Railroad, East
and West When recently at Eden>
ton, Mr.. Bragg, his Democratic COM
petitor, had asked him whether he was
IN favor Of the extension, he had prompt
" replied that he was. Turning, then,