Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1856-07-16
For the Standard.
Gov. Bragg and Mr.. Gilmer in OnsIow.

Gov. Bragg and Mr.. Gilmef in Onslow.
MEssRs; EDIroRs The candidates for Governor
addressed the people of Onsow yesterday, 1st
day Of July. Although our notice was only two
days, there was considerable gathering. 1t was
the first time we have had the honor of visit
from the Governor the pleasure of hearing cand-
dates for that high office. At IL o'clock they met
at the Court House, and the discussion was opened
by Gov Bragg
l shall not attempt a synopsis of his speech, it
would be doing him injustice; but after having ex.
hibitcd Mr.. Gilmer's record while in the Senate, on
the subject of free suffrage, in the most mastery
manner, he reviewed the various parties and combi-
nations which are opposed to Democratic men and
measures. For over an hour he enchained the at
tention of his audience in the most eloquent and able
vindcation of the great party to which he belongs
it has ever been my fortune to hear; and ut the
same time-held up to the broad daylight the Know
Nothing party, and showed fully all its deep wind
ings and in:rigues. His manly bearing, his high
toned language and gentlemanly demeanor to his
opponent, while it completely won the hearts of his
party friends, secured from his opponents their
high respect and esteem.
Mr.. Glmer replied, and it was very evident he
felt he had a bad cause to defend He commenced
BY saying the Governor had Just delivered a "ram.
bling, }" wandering" "hclter skelter" speech,-he
would have the Governor speak more about the af.
fairs of the Sateess about politics in the State or
out of we thought that Gov. Bragg's exposition
of Know Nothingism-(Mr. Gilmer did not deny ia
King the O3t0SD-WaS not so pleasing.
Then he endeavored to conciliate his Eastern
friends to mis- Western Address," said it was true
that during excitement this "Western Address"
had been written; but gentlemen must take his
word to the contrary now; that when he accepted
the nomination of the American party he had
pledged himself to let the basis remain as it is
THAT in order that the paramount principles of
Americanism may not be trainmelled in the ensuing
contest by vexed State questions " "it
was his purpose of abiding by and maintaining the
representative basis Of the present constitutional
His record while State Senator and his propositions
heretofore to alter our basis Of representation have
no doubt in the world, are "uered questions" The
length of time he consumed in explaining his course
in the Senate, and his excited manner plainly proved
that they were very "Uering questions" But sup
pose that these paramount principles" " in the
ensuing contest" shall have been settled will not
Mr.. Gmer be for the " free white basis" again p
Does Mr.. Gilmers pledge bind him longer than the
ensuing contest!" Mr.. Gilmer waxed warm sew
eral times during his speech In replying to Gov.
Bragg, who had plainly proven that the contest for
President would be between the Democratic and
black Republican parties Mr.. Gilmer stated that the
Governor had "msreprcsented" things, called him
"agitator, with both hands caught hold of his I'M
der eye lids, and pulling them down considerably,
asked his audience IF they anything green 2''
At another time became very much excited, and
said what Gov: Bragg had stated was " false" Gov.
Bragg called him to account for that epthet when
Mr.. Gilmer considered and apologizcd.
We expected one occupying the position Of the
Know Nothing candidate for Governor, would act
with more courtesy to his competitor, and leave off,
too of his ugly anecdotes. If we could relate
one of his anecdotes, however, about child addic-
ted to swearing, and who had been placed by his
teacher to catch mouse, VIC would do it, because
it might explain Mr. Gilmer's course. Mr.. Gilmer
may be so accustomed to applying such epthets to
the under-degree members and relating his ugly an
ecdotes in the X. n lodges, that he car not easily
rid himself of them.
Gov. Bragg replied in that same dgnified manner
which characterized his first effort and came out
completely triumphant. The Democracy here, as
everywhere else, are proud of our gallant Governor,
and he has won for himself golden opinions in the
county of ONSLOW.