Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1857-06-03
From tie Western Sentin,l.
DISCUSSION AT LEXINGTON.

MEssRs EDITORS The discussion between Mr..
Scales, the Democratic candidate for Congress in this
District, and COL Puryear, the American candidate,
came of, as was expected, at this place on Tuesday
last. This discussion as it was the opening OF the
campaign, was looked to with good deal Of inter-
est by the friends of the respective candidates. The
County Court of Davidson was in session, but by |
request having adjourned at IL o'clock for the day,
the entire afternoon was consumed by the speakers
l shall endeavor in .his article Messrs. Editors to
lay before your readers who could not have the op
portuny of hearing the speeches. the principal is
sues which were made by the speakers. Col. Pur
year led of, commencing at o'clock, and in a very
labored effort Of more than two hours endeavored
to give an account of his stewardship, and to sats
fly his constituents that his in Congress-
consistent with the best interests of the South and
the perpetuity Of the Union. We submit to your
readers, howe, er, that the Col was evidently
uphill expedition, and carrying heavy weight on
this OCCASION and that he entirely failed in his OBJ
ject lie opened his speech with the same old
song that he had again been called upon by the
unanimous voice Of large and respectable Conven-
lion, to become a candidate and although it was in.
consistent with his own wishes, and the best inter-
ests of his domestic affairs, vet he did not feel him
self at liberty to decline; after having thus intro
duced himself he charged upon the Democratic par
ty, the odium and responsibility Of placing Mr..
Banks, the black Republican, in the Speakers chair
Of the House, Of the last Congress, for which lie
knew, when he brought the charge, and which Mr..
Scales in his reply, very clearly showed that he,
Col Puryear, and his confederated Know Nothing
friends were responsible. He endeavored to Justify
his actous vote for Mr. Fuller for Speaker, who at
the same time voting for Mr.. Pennington
black Republican, for the same office, and his argu
ment was about ths--that although the Democratic
party had seventy five members, yet they ought to
permit the few Know Nothings there to select man
Of their own party; and merely because he had
been Democrat, they ought to support him. What
an absurdity! and you may be assured that Mr..
Scales handled this subject well. Col. Puryear then
introduced the subject of The distribution Of the
proceeds of the pu lie lands and took the grounds
for distribution, which have been occupied by the
opposition for the last thirty years. He did not,
l am aware o., introduce any new argument on this
question, hut the whole burden of this part of his
Speech which took up at least two thirds of his time.
was, that North Carolina ought to get her shear of
the public lands. He remind d the people of their
heavy taxes and Of the debt contracted by State
and then implorcd them in agoI y and in sweat to
support him, and he would relieve them of these
burdens, by getting their shear of the public lands
Mr.. Scales, in reply upon this question: forcible
and clear He reminded his hearers of the fact
that Col. Puryear, when canvassing this District
with Mr.. Boyd, had taken the same ground and
made the same fair promises, and then challenged
him to show what he had done, during his four
| years in Congress to redeem those promises. He
reminded his audience of the fact, and no doubt
many of your readers will recollcct it, that two
years ago. Col Pnrycar in canvassing this District,
his position little equvocai. called upon
to tell the people that in the event Of contest,
| between old line Wing, who was distribution
lists and Know Nothing Democrat. an anti distri-
butionist, which of the two would he support and
his reply was that he would support the Know
Nothing Democrat, thereby showing that he was a
better Know Nothing than distributonist Upon
| these grounds. Mr. Scales charged that this
mere hobby, fixed up to impose upon the people,
and by making fair promises to catch their votes.-
Mr.. Scales showed very clearly to every nnprjuic
mind, that the position occupied by the Democratic
party upon this Question. il the only true ore, a;d
that distribution of the pubic lands would be alike
unconstitutional, inrxpedient, and detrimental to the
best interest of the Stale, He stated that the tax
paid by North Carolina annually amounted 10 about
$300,O00, and contei ded that the proceeds If the
public lands should 60 into The treasury for the sup
port of the e neral eovernn ent and that the tariff
should be reduced, as to prevent this continual
drain, which is sucking the very life blood from
State 1t seems, Messrs. Editors that this is to
be made the principal issue by the opposition; but il
in its manhood and vgor, it could not withstand the
touchstone applied by Democratic principles, how
can they hope to win by it now, cxhumed as it is
and exposed in its grave-cothes and deformity. Col
Puryear's next position was, that Americans
shall rule America" and with this concluded his
speech. You will readily perceive from this that
his speech was but illustration of his ''compre
hensive letter Of acceptance" as it has been called
if you will add to distribution, that other principle
"that Americans shall rule America" yon will have
his creed.
| Mr.. Scales in his reply, in addition to answering
ss stated above. the points raised by Col Puryear
called the atent Of the aud ence to Il fact thai
he had not said one word about his vote upon the
Nebraska Bill and called upon him to state how ht
stood upon that measure since the Supreme Court hat
decided that he voted unconStitutionally the Col
answered. that If he political SINNER on that o
any other question, he stubborn one, for h
had not changed; but when pressed by Mr.. Scales
with the fact that only his vote stood recorded
with the Black Republicans upon this question, bu
also that he stood with Curtis and Mclean the free
soil Judges against the other five judges of the Su
preme Court: he said, that although he occupied
the same ground that he formerly die, he would no
vote against their decision Mr.. Scales han
died his subjects in a Manner which showed that h
| is familiar with them, and We think warran
ted in saying that Col. Puryear will have prett
rough road to travel Col. Puryear in conclusion
spoke about hour, and endeavoredto efface the i'm
preston which Lad been made upon th. crowd, bu
we think he failed. The meeting broke at a YER
late hour, and is usual such occasions, tn
, friends Of each candidate claimed The victory
Mr.. Scales passed several days with us, and seem
to be in fine spirits. He made good impressio
amongst us, and with it good many friends; tn
prospects of the Democratic party are brightenin
re- and without some untoward event, we fully el
pect in August, to return decided Democratic gai
for Davidson. CIVIS.
Lexington, May 16, 1856.
TAX LIsTs.-We have just printed and sent on
for the Comptroller, the tax lists for 1857. Havn