Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-12-05
Mr.. McRae,s Letter.


We copy to day, from the Tarborough Southerner,
letter from Duncan K. McRae, ESQ.,, late United
States Consul at Paris, addressed to W. F. Dancy,
ESQ.,, of Edgecombe, on the subject Of State Debt
and Distribution.
Mr. Dancy, it appears, did not retain copy of the
letter he addressed to Mr.. McRae, and therefore has
not published it; but we left to infer, from the
character of Mr. McRaes reply that he was interro-
gated upon bat two questions, to wit Suite Debt
and Distribution. Other gentlemen, We learn have
also been INTERCEPTED by Mr.. Dancy, and other and
further questions have been put to them. Their
opinions have been asked, not only State debt
and distribution, but in relation to Gov Walkers
course in Kansas the mode of distributing the School
fund.- the subject Of Banks and Banking, the Green's
borough and Danve connection &C. We presume
their replies will be published in the next number of
the Southerner.
Mr.. McRae, it will be seen, takes ground for dis
tribution and declares that at this moment" it is
ga far more important" question: "th"n that Of
slavery, and much more practical one" lie also
takes ground against organization in the Democratic
party, and inpites opposition to that party in the
approaching eanrass
These are the main features of his letter. SO far
federal politics concerned.
We publish his letter as matter Of courtesy, and
because we willing that he should be heard; but
we disagree with him thoroughly and radically on
the subject of distribution and in relation to the
ges Of the party. We regret to say that We
in Mr.. McRae an enemy to the party which has pro-
NOTED and honored him. and it will be our duty for
the future to treat him accordingly. Personally
we respect and like him. but this only adds to the
regret which We feel account of his apostacy,
and in view of his almost certain aliation with the
Know Nothing party. He has deliberately severed
his relations with the Democratic party-he has
stepped off the platform and repudiated the usages
of the Democracy Of the State, and he must blame
himself, and not Others for the consequences.
We shall examine his letter somewhat at length
hereafter.
Mr. McRae's course will be hailed with satisfac-
ton and delight by most of the Know Nothing
presses of the State They will in it some CLEAN
Of hope that the Democratic party may be diso'
ized and that the result will enure to their benefit
They will find themselves mistaken. A leader, So
called, in the Democratic party, becomes instantly
powerless whenever he opposes or ignores any one
of its cardinal principles endeavors to disturb or
impair its organization. .asr 49,
We will only add to-day. that Mr.. McRae appears
to be extremely concerned ACCOUNT of the squan-
dering of the public lands on the new States, and in
relation to "North. Caroina's share" If the lands.
This question gave him trouble four years ago. when
he took the field for Congress against Mr.. Ashe, in
the Wilmington District We have always under.
stock that he favored distribution then, and that he
generally sustained by the Wings Of that Dis
trct. TWAS most important, in his judgment, that
North Carolina should then have her " share, but
meanwhile glittering prize, in the shape of feder
al Office. foated along. and be accepted Invent
abroad, and for four long years We heard nothing
from the gentleman on the subject Of the public
lands! .. ..r5