Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-05-30
From the Western Sentinel.
DISCUSSION AT LEXINGTON.


.. From the Western Sentinel.
DISCUSSION AT LEXINGTON.
MEssRs. ED1roRs:-The discussion between Mr..
Scales the Democratic candidate for Congress in this
District, and Col. Puryear, the American candidate,
came off 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 Inc
County Court of Davidson was in session, out oy
request having adjourned at IL o'clock, for the day,
the entire afternoon was consumed by the speakers.
shall endeavor in .his article Messrs Editors, to
lay before your readers, who could not have the OPP
portunity of hearing the speeches, the principal s-
sues which were made by the speakers. Col. Pur-
year led off, commencing at l o'clock, and in very
labored effort of more than two hours, endeavored
to give account of his stewardship, and to salts
fly his constituents that his course in Congress, was
consistent with the best interests of the South and
the perpetuity of the Union. We submit to your
readers, howe. err that the Col. evidently on an
uphill expedition, and carrying heavy weight on
this occasion. and that he entirely failed in his 90.
ject He opened his speech with the same old
song" that he had again been called upon by the
unanimous voice of large and respectable Conven-
ton, to become candidate, and although it was in
consistent with his wishes, and the best inter-
ests of his domestic AFFAIRS yet he did not feel him
self at liberty to decline; after having thus intro
duced himself; he charged upon the Democratic par
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 ne,
Col Puryear, and his confederated Know Nothing
friends responsible He endeavored to justify
his actous vote for Mr.. Fuller for Speaker who at
the same time was voting for Mr.. Pennington,
black Republican, for the same office and his argn-
ment was about this--hat 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 a 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 public lands and took the grounds
for distribution, which have been occupied by the
opposition for the last thirty years. He did not,
am aware Of, introduce any new argument on this
question, but the whole burden of this part of his
speech which took at least two thirds of his tme
was, that North Carolina ought to get her shear of
the public lands. He reminded the people of their
heavy taxes and Of the debt contracted by our State
and then impored them in agony 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 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 doubt
many of your readers will recollect it, that two
years ago, COL Puryear in canvaSsing this District
his position little equvocal, was called upon
to tell the people, that in the event Of contest
between an 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 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 was a
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 nnprejuiccd
mind, that the pr stion occupied by the Democratic
party upon this question. is the only true one ard
that distribution of the public lands would be alike
unconstitutional inexpedient and detrimental to the
best interest Of the State, lie stated that the tax
paid by North Carolina annually amounted to abont
| $30OOO and conterded that the proceeds of the
public lands should 60 into the treasury for the sup
port of the general government, and that the tar
should be reduced as to prevent this continual
drain, which is now sucking the very life blood from
State. 1t seems Messrs. Editors that this is tr
be made the principal issue by the opposition but il
in its manhood and vigor, it could withstand the
touchstone applied by Democratic principles, how
can they hope to win by it now, exhumed as it is
and exposed in its grave-cothes and deformty. Col
| Puryears next position was, that Americans
shall rule America" and with this concluded hs
| SpeeCu lou VIII TeauliV perceive IrOm tnlS, ina
his speech was but illustration of his ''compre
hensive letter Of acceptance" it has been called
ifyou 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 attention of the audience to the fact tina
he had not said one word about his vote upon tn,
Nebraska Bill, and called upon him to state how hi
stood upon that measure since the Supreme Court hae
decided that he voted unconstitutionally; the Col
answered that # he was political sinner on that OIL
any other question. he stubborn one, for h,
had not changed; but when pressed by Mr.. Scales
with the fact that not 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 did, he would no
vote against their decision. MIR. Scales han
died his subjects in manner, which showed that h
is familiar with them, and we think we are warran
ted in saying that Col. Puryear will have a prett,
rough road to travel Col. Puryear in conclusion
spoke abe ut hour, and endeavoredto eface the i'm
preston which lad been made upon tn crowd, bu
we think he failed The meeting broke at YER
late hour, and as is usual on 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 impression
amongst US, and with it a good MANY friends; tn
here, and without some untoward event, we fully ex
pect in August to return decided Democratic gai
| for Davidson. CIVIS.
) Lexington, May Is, 1856
| The ATLANTIC AND N. c. RAILROAD The shri
whistle of the locomotive is at length heard to ech
among our hills and along the sea ashore The ne,