Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1857-08-26

Full of confidence in our candidates and of hope
in the triumph ofthe truth in their election, ex-
tend to you this invitation, and beg your accept
ance of the same. We are, very respectfully,
Your obedient servants
F. M. HAIGHT
SAMUEL SOULE
CHAS. WATROUS,
j. Mem. SHAFTER.
Mr.. sTANLY STATES HIS POSITION AND
POLITICAL OPINIONS.
SAN Francisco, July 18th, 1857.
GENTLEMEN Il have had the honor to receive
your invitation address the citizens of San Fran
cisco on Wednesday evening, upon the political
Questions involved in the approaching election 1w
if no accident prevents comply with your request.
When the result of the nomination was made
known to me- gave answer by telegraph which
understand was not received by the Convention
before it adjourned. This makes it proper on my
part we'll as due to the Convention, that should
give you further expression of my opinions. These
opinions have not been formed since l came to Cal
ifornia. [ have no new catechism, by which to
regulate my conduct
When in Congress, as we'll as in the Legislature
of my we'll beloved native State, my opEions were
not concealed from my constituents. Though in
common with all Southern men, condemned the
attempts of abotonists to interfere with the rights
of the Southern States, never hesitated to say, in
public speeches, as in private, that Slavery was an
evil; never was guilty of the folly of denying,
of his Country and coming down to the time of
Polk-had admitted, that Congress had the power
to prohibit the extension of Slavery to Free Terri
tory. By these declarations opposition was stim-
ulated and sometimes unmeasured denunciations
followed But upon appealing to Caesar from the
politicians, to patriotic Wings and Democrats-to
the people, was triumphantly sustained: When
l advocated the right of the people of California
to enter the Union as a Free State, threat
ened with the loss of the confidence of my constt-
uents-but, against furious opposition, was sus-
taned.
After the enormous outrage perpetrated by the
repeal of the Missouri compromise as private citi
zen | never spoke otherwise than in terms of the
most decided condemnation of that act. l know
there are thousands and tens of thousands of men
in the Southern country who concur with in this
condemnation. 1t was violation of faith a scheme
of politicians to obtain Southern favor, at the risk
of creating Sc tona divisions with the hope of
curing their own personal aggrandisement. 1t has
produced nothing but discord and sectional strife.
1t was startling and reprehensble as the doc
trines of the OsteDd Circular-doctrines which, if
carried out by our Government, will bring us into
collision with, and degrade in the estimation Of
the civilized world
l am not able now to remember any other great
question Of National character which has excited
the attention divided the opinion of our country
men for some years past. The construction of q
National Railroad uniting with the Eastern States
is so universally regarded as being indispensable to
the best interests of the whole country, it hard
ly be regarded question to be argued between
different parties. 1t is needless to say it would
have my cordial support.
AS the most important matter of State policy, I
regard it our duty to impress upon the people the
necessity ofreform ofessenig the burthen ofoppres
sive taxation and by economy, provide for keeping
| the public credit unimpaired.
! For expressing these opinions, know I shall be
censured; probably denounced as an abolitionst
| can endure that in the future, as have in the
past. Harrison, the Hero of Tippecanoe Scott, the
conqueror of Mexico; the ever-glorious Clay, did
not escape the bitterness of party vituperation.
They, together with President Buchanan and the
called abotionists, by their opponents, when party
spirit had made reason prisoner. How then can
one humble myself, expect to escape unattack-
ed? I shall endeavor to bear it with dignity and
charity, hoping, after the contest is over, it will be
regretted and will forgive it before its injustice is
| admitted.
1t is we'll known to all my friends with whom
| ever conversed political matters, that one main
purpose Of making my residence in this State was
to become free from political life And for this
reason have sought no office, desired no place Of
profit, and several times refused to allow my name
| to be considered in connection with Offices the
emoluments of which generally made them desira.
ble have also, on this new and enlarged theatre
of action, desired to allow party differences to be
forgotten, the causes which led to their formation
1
and to some members of your Convention, the course
pursued by myself-to vote for men who were oi
good character honest and capable, without regard
| to their political opinions. A prominent Democrat
universally esteemed man of integrity, and o
great experience was spoken of as upon whom
the people could unite and for whom my suffrage
would have been cheerfuly given. Individually
wish this could be done. California has suffered by
adherence to party discipline. The question has
not been what is best for her honor and welfare bu
who shall take this Office, or who will buy that
The Moloch of party has greatly oppressed her peo
pie, and almost destroyed her prosperity. She vii
never attain that rank among her sister States t
which she is entitled until her people, forgetting
what is past shall unite in the common purpose o
emaneipatng her from the slavery of mind-from tn.
despotism Of party spirit We are in a new ant
commanding position before the world. We hav'
q State unlike any other in our Union-her laws
not settled, her finances dsordered, her credit i'm
paired; defalcations common and numerous; with ,
population of citizens by birth or choice generally
strangers to each other and too much engrosstd by
their own affairs to pay much attention to public
/ interests. Our State demands duties of highe
character than those we owe to party.
had hoped, as one of the people in the humble
but honorable walks of private life. to have been al
lowed to do my duty in accordance with those opin
ions. Your Convention has called upon me to TAX
| more prominent position and with my idea OF tn
duties Of good citizen, have not felt at liberty