Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-12-18
A Queer Coincidence.


sion to promulgae certain distribution doctrines in
epeech delivered by him at River and Harbor meeting
held at the Masonic Hall. We need not now say how
far that speech counter to the principles of the Dem
ocratc people of this county That it did do So and
that Mr. McRae Of the fact is sufficiently
evidenced by explanatory letter from him. published
in the columns of the Journal That was in the winter
of 1852-53. In the spring of 1853 new adminstra-
ton entered upon power. Whether or not Mr. McRae
deemed that his claims had been neglected. is not for
to say for we have to do simply with the facts as they
exist not with the motives of individuals One thing is
certain Mr. McRae in the summer Of 1853 announced
himself candidate for Congress upon the distribution
ISSUE but having received the appointment Of Consul to
Paris retired from the field, and went to France eav
ing Mr. Leak to occupy the ground which he had left
vacant. Mr. Leak got about badly beaten as gen
tleman could desire.
In this year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and fftyseven, Mr.. McRae returns from France The
years of his sojOun there have been like bank-the
stirring events which have agtated the country have
failed to reach his ear-whle the rest of mankind talk
of Kansas Nicaragua the monetary crisis the empty
treasury and the new loan Mr.. McRae begins exactly
where he left off years distribution is still the pana-
cea for all our ills. 1t is like the hotwaer and blood
letting of Dr. SangradO The treasury is depicted emp
tied impoverished empty it more, says MIR. McRac,
take from it the proceeds Of the sales of the public lands,
and give these proceeds to the States Rob Peter and
nav Paul. Make yourself tnancicr by taking money
out of one pocket and putting into another.
The doctrine is queer one, but it is Mr. Mcltae 5
doctrine and he has not only right to believe in it HIM
SELF but to induce other people to do so If nc can We
object only to its being promulgated Democratic doc
rinc which it is not. And here take occasion to
remark as we did freely at the time when speaking about
the matter at all, that the appointment of Mr. McRae
to the Consulate at Paris unfortunate one, not
because of any personal objections to Mr.. McRae, but
because of the apparent sanction given to a violation OF
the principles upon which the administration ltse had
been placed in power.
But the coincidence to which we mainly wish to call
attention. will be better understood by reference to
two letters which have recently made their appearance
One is dated October 22nd 1851 signed by Mr.. McRaC
and addressed to VIM F. Dancy, Esq, of Edsecombc
County, by whom it is published in the Iarboro Press
of the 28th ul the other is dated December 9th 1897
signed by W. f. Leak, Esq, and addressed to the cd
tors of the different Fayetteville papers.
We have for various reasons foreborne to publish
refer to the letter from Mr. McRac above mentioned
In that letter Mr. McIae simply promg the scheme
which he brought forward years ago and which we had
discussed at length before In his letter to Mr. Dancy
Mr. McRac says, having political aspiration tc
eratfy--havng voluntarily yielded honorable office
into the hands of the administration and being altogether
DESTROYS OF deUOtmg myself entirety to my profession,
am enabled to communicate with you i'll entire rankness
And again. towards the close of the same letter, Mr.
McRae says" For my own part, wish some practica
farmer Democrat, would take this issue in hand anC
appeal to the people upon it. In the face of these de
carations we could not, without positive dscourtesy
regard Mr. McRae candidate likely to be can
didatp-wc cannot now 50 regard him without tacit.
accusing him of nsincerty in the declarations he ha
made and the letter of Mr. Leak forward to pu
the matter at rest by bringing into the field the "prac
teal farmer the coming man upon whom MI
McRacs mental vision was fixed. Regarding MI
McRaes declarations as made in good faith, and this W
feel ourselves bound to do we must consider him pre-
cluded from being himself candidate for Governor
regard him as pledged to support the author Of the fol
lowing letter -:
ROCKINGHAM, Deer g. 1857.
lhssrs. +. j. Htle Dc Son GENTLEMEN =
You are authorized and requested to myself
emocratc candidate for Governor at the ensuing Guberna
Oria election.
My views upon public land question too we'll under
TODD to require any the present At the prop
er time they will not be withheld. Respectfully
Your most ob't,
W. F. LEAK.
p S. similar letter is sent to each of the town papers
w. +. l..
1t is certainly little strange that Mr. Mc2ae shout
have been the precursor-the arah cOuier-of Nj
kofOr laayi
this country in 1853, and that his first public appear
ncc after his return should have been in the same ca
pacty.
OF course under these circumstances we cannot brin
ourselves to regard Mr. McRae in the light of cand
date asprant for the Office of Governor. w
are unable to how he be. 1t is not, therefore
our wish intention to enter thus early upon any pei
sOnal canvass for against any asprant for that pos
ton. Mr. Leaks strength and weakness that poir
we know like book and shall be prepared to meet til
issue at the proper time its merits avoiding II
ference to the mere mouthpeces of what deem errO
as far at least as possible We have lived long enOug
to know that principles ought to be adhered to IL
rock of our political salvation while personal sfuabbc
for against men are useless and Improbable.
kANsAs.-Ihc special session of the Legislature
Kansas, called together by acting Governor Stanton
organized on the 6h instant. Stanton recommends til
passage of a law directing the election the Constit,
ton to be held under different officers, on the same da
and at the places those prescribed by the Con
stituhonal Convention. Also authorizing the people
vote for the Constitution in either form or against it
both forms
FIRE.-An alarm OF fire was given about ten ocloc
this morning, proceeding from the burning of the res
dence Of Nh Richard 4. Rsey ON Fourth street nel