Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-11-19
smith and sh.eksIford.
Tbe two Democratic candidates for Co'

The two Democratic eaboioolee LUZ y"
oress, in this district, Gov. Smith, and henry
Shack elford, met in discussion, here, on
Monday last. Mr.. Shaekelford first took
the stand, end proposed to make an arrange
ment with Gov. Smith as to who should open
and CLOSE the discussion, and what time each
should occupy in his remarks. lnts "'''
Smith declined, on the ground tnat De occu'
pied q defensive ~position-thas DIS opponen'
sought to d~isplace him. aud be came 20 near
the reasons for il, and to reply to them
MIR. Shackelford then commsnced DIS 70.
marks, with the understanding hal be should
consume what time be pleased, and Go!.
Smith the same, in his reply. Mr.. Sasoke!.
ford, iu a bold, decided manner, arraigned
Gov. Smith 90 bis past political history. he
arraigned him for being in favor OF direct
T. xation for the purpose OF carrying 90 the
onerations of the Federal Government, 10
stead of the present mode--a tariff OF duties
90 articles of importation. lie arraigned
hin for Inconsistency 10 being opposed to the
distribution of the monies arising from the
sales of the public lands. while, a the came
time. be was in favor Of depositing With the
| States, the whole surplus money OF the Gene
raj Governments, which, il WAS we'll known,
would never be returned. He charged bin
with dereliction Of duty to his party. in re-
fusiug to participate 10 the Congressional
caucus, of the session of 1855, when the Free
soiler Banks was elected Speaker, ADD With
irfdelity to the Democratic cause, 10 seeking
the nomination Of the Know Nothing party
in opposition to Gov. Wise, in 1855. 10 tnis
- -l,aal fkn lohra tod
Walker letter, 10 which, he alleged, Gov.
Smith had consented TO become the hooW
Nothing candidate, provided be could &c: the
nomination without becoming a member OF
the order; and charged that Gov. Smith had
promised, 10 the spring Of 1857, to publish
| that letter, but had tailed to do 90. These
are the main points of Mr.. Shackelford's
speech, in the delivery of which he occupied
abouttwo hours.
About 4 o'clock Gov. Smith took the stand,
and replied with spirit and animation. His
time being short, be said, he would be COM
pelled 70 notice the points Of attack very brief
~, and to omit some altcgether. To the fret
Of the points enumerated-direct taxation
Gov. Smith made no reply, that We remem-
Der. In regard to the distribution question
he said that Il deposit of the surplus revenue
of the Government with the States was very
different from g distribution OF the land fund,
as the latter was a gift. and the former loan,
to be called for when wanted, and paid for
when demanded. Ia regard to tho Congres.
sional Caucus he said that when he entered
that meeting be found MIR. MoMallen, OF
Va. endesvorirg to get the aoor, and asked
him what it was for. MIR. McMullen told
him that be was going to oppose a resolution
denouncing the Know Nothipgs. On this
announcement Gov. Smith says be lett the
Caucus, not being wiling TO countenance a
proceeding which would offend that party,
pre7entthem from acting with the Democrats,
ana throw the organization Cf the House into
| the hands of the Black Republicans. To the
charges Of infdelity to the Democratic party,
and u desire for the Know Nothing nomins-
ton, in 1855, Gov. Smith plead Not Guilty"
lie claimed to have always maintained true
democratic doctrines, and denied that the
| Walker letter admitted OF the construction
which has been placed upon it, and tho rea-
son which had prevented its publication was
that it conc rned others as we'll as himself,
and to do SO would be a breach Cf confidence.
As q witness against the charge be called on
Col. Suttle, of Alexandria, who was present,
who stated tba, just before the Winchester
Convention, be called on Gov. Smith to ask
him ii be would make certain CONCESSIONS, on
condition Of getting the Know Nothing NOM
~irGtion, for Governor, at the approaching
Winchester Convention. This, be stated,
Gov. Smith refused very emphstically, to do.
Mr.. ShackelfOrd here Intercepted Col. Suttls,
to know whether be had apy knowledge OF
the Walkor letter. The Colonel replied that
he had not. Mr.. Shsckelford maintained
that his evidence proved nothiug-thst the
concession required Of Gov. Smith, was,
doubtless. the joining of the Order--tbat Col.
Suttlc's testimony did not invalidate the
Walker letter, 10 which Gov. Smith expressed
a willingness to accept the nomination if they
would give it to him without bis becoming a
regular member, and asked, how it happened
that Col. Suttle, then o prominent Know
Nothing, felt at liberty to approach Gov.
Smith On the subject?
Gov. Smith having spoken, probably, an
hour, resumed his seat, wbereupon Mr..
Shackelford again took the stand and %rejoin-
ed, briefly. lie demanded the production Of
the Walker letter, alleging thnt it was, or bad
been, in Gov. Smiths possession, and that it
would, at once, settle the question. lie sta.
ted further, that Gov. Smith bad promised to
give it to the public, and that the evidence OF
that promise should he forthcoming.
After Mr. Shack lford concluded Gov.
Smith sur.rejoined, in a few words.
There was a good deal Of thrust and repair
tee, during the discussion, and the canvass
promises TO be one Of animation, if not Of as-
perity. Bius Ridge Repub.
Mule RscSk-The siowest TO Win.
The Norfolk Argus describes q donkey
race that came of at the Fair Grounds, near