Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-07-18
APPOINTMENT OF MR.. MCGOWAN.

tits well known that Mr.. Patrick McGowan Mail Agent
the Raleigh and CASTOR Railroad naturaized citizen
having been born in Ireland, and Roman Catholic; and
that he is the only of this stamp who holds office
under the general government in NorthCarona Previ-
to his appointment Mr. MCGOWAN had been repeatedly
elected Doorkeeper of the Senate and at time the
parties being nearly balanced body ndebt-
ed for his success to the of two Wzg Senator'S
Messrs Francis and Russell In both these
Doorkeeper and Mail Agent-Mr. MCGOWAN performed
his duties with marked fidelity and vigilance; yet his a
pontment to the latter has been made matter for much
remark and by the Know Nothngs because
Catholic and so-called foreigner Mr.. Shepard the
darkantern candidate for Congress in this District
been especially pointed in his Catholics
we'll his illusions to the danger of Catholic in
the Postoce Department. and now, what will the people
think and say, when inform them that Mr. McGouan
a0as recommendation this gerry office Of Hail agent By A
tnses b. Shepard and By many Of the Ea1s Of the present
Knos0 Nothing partys Such is the fact Wehave obtain
ed copies of the official documents from the Department
Washington and publish below, for the information
of the public and for the particular edcation of Know
Nothings small and large the following letter:
RALEIGH N. c., March 1st, 1858.
Sir On the line of the Railroad between this and the
City of Petersburg there four Mail Agents appointed
two for the line between Petersburg and CASTOR claimed by
and Raleigh claimed by For
of the latter permit to recommend to your considera
the discharge of the duties of said station, and wthal
very honest and worthy man.
Respectfully 5o 3. SHEPARD.
10 the postmaster General OF
the United States.
We also have copy of a recommendation of Mr.. Nc
Gowan, in the following words
The undersigned take pleasure in recommending Mr..
Raleigh and Castor Railroad From their knowledge of
Mr. McGowans habits and qualifications they have no hes
ltatlon he would make faithful and useful officer
This recommendation is signed among others, by John H.
Gilnaer, ~ W H0oafm, Isaac Cegg, I'm H. Wasdimgton
Leis Thompson anil I'D HayeOOod-all ofthem and
of them conspicuous Know Nothing leaders Mr. Nc
Gowan appointed in place of native Mr. H. H. Potter
-N. Shepard recommending the apoointanent. Nothing is
sad either in his letter in the above recommendation
about the propety justice of giving natives the prefer
ence-nothng to the danger Of Catholic influence and
control. Mr. Shepard recommended him competent,
"honest" and "tS'thy"-the very highest recommended
ton he could have given him. and it did not to him
e it seems that sound policy required that Catholics
aud foreign born should be kept out of such Offices
Ao however, he affects to be seriously alarmed at such
appointments and is attempting make capital out of them
against the Democratic party Why did he not come out,
like man. the beginning Of the campaign, and admit
that he had recommended Mr. MCGOWAN? Why did he de-
such appointmentssuch alleged influences
liary the result of Democratic policy and at the time
conceal from the people what he had done in this respect?
But Mr. Branch brought the whole matter upon him at
Hayes few days ago; and learn that his explanation
any thing but satisfactory He said, learn, that
there Know Nothing party at the time he this
recommendation that is in substance party did not
quire him then pursue the he pursuing now
Why not the danger from Catholics ana foreigners OF
which he emphaticaly the people, great
then it is now? Was there Pope in 1855?
Let these facts be known every where and whenever
scrupuous Nethngs attempt make capital against
the Administration and against the Democrats, account
of this appon point TO this letter of Mr. Shepard and
the recommendation above given, signed by Mr. Gimer
and others. There another fact in this connection which
deserves be borne in mind and to which Democrats have
right selfdefence; and that is the election
mainly By Wig in 184o of Judge Manly Cathozi
banch of alSD he eJnber
that Judge Gastonone of the most distinguished and
Cahol of his day-wasa Wing; and that he indeb-
mainly for all the high honors he enjoyed the very
party which now, under another name, engaged most
bitter and ungenerous crusade against the rights to which
Catholics entitled under both the federal and State Con-
situations