The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-10-26
Chr 90ggtfrn gRmorrnt.
CHARLOTTE, n. c.
TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF
ORTH-CAROLINA.

recently been originated ana circulated against Ill.,
First, 1t is charged that Fam exerting myself
to "punish" (that is the word uscd) those who
opposed my nomination for Governor at Charlotte.
Secondly, 1t is charged that l am seeking
ScnatOrship in the Congress of the United States,
and that | will continue to do so at a sacrifice of
the harmony aud integrity of the Democratic
party.
Tirlly, 1t is charged that / wrote, or suggested,
or advised or instigatcd the articles which have
recently appeared in the H0rrcntOn Ne1cs In
relation to Federal and State appointments"
In relation to the first charge I may say that no
Democrat in the State gave to John W. Ellis
more actvesupport than did; and that the columns
of the Standard will be examined in vain for any
evidence of injustice unkindness towards his
friends Nor has my course been different, nor
will it be differentas aman. have no resentments
Of this Kind to crafty, nor have cxerted, nor will
exert myself to punish or injure those who
opposed at Charlotte. This charge, unjust
and unfounded as it is, may temporarily furnish
some little capital to some ofhcc-scekcr, who
thinks quite Us much fhx own interests as he does
of the harmony and integrity of the party; but all
good Democrats will see through it later,
and treat with the silent Indifference it deserves.
In reply to the second charge | say that am
not seeking SeGatorship; and that my feelings
have always been SubOrdnated they always will
be, to the harmony, the prosperity and the integrity
of my party. No will say that | ever APP
preached him the subec of Senatorship, or
that | ever imtimatcd that was 4 candidate
for Senator. On the contrary, L have uniformly
informed my friends that | w;lS not candidate,
and would not seek the place. Moreover, l have
always done justice both in the .Stuaddrd and in
private conversations to others who have been
spoken of for the Senatorslips; and have said
nothing of them or about them, which, if impaired
to them, should i'll the slightest degree interrupt
the friendship that exists between us.
There are few persons in NOrth-Carolina
protesting to be Democrats, who are really
-,rstocrats, and who will never forgive for
conserving to the of my name for Governor
OF course these persons have their dependents
who echo what they say. If | were to say, what
do not choose to say, that i'll event would
accept ScnatorShip, Hcy would be gtatifed, and
charges like those to which | am now replying
would no longer be made. 1t my lot to be born
III humble circumstances to an inheritance Of
ignorance and poverty, and to be brought up to a
mechanical trade; and there are some who would
''punlsh NE account of my origin, and because
had tho energy and the ambition 10 struggle
upwards in life, who, if they had been born in the
condition in which l was, would have been there
yet. Proud towards the proud, and humble among
the humble, | have never cringed to rich man
because he was rich nor sighted poor because
he was poor. Nor have ever played the demagogue
seeking to array one class against another. /
have been the friend, both an Editor and as man.
of all interests and GU classes in North Carolina
from the college i'll which those who have means
are educated, to the common school, where the
children of the people are cared for and educated
by the State. Unprctending was my origin |
thank God that lie has given me disposition to
love my State, and my whole State With the
affection of son; and though others have served
her with far more efficiency and ability than |
have yet none have laid upon her altar the offerings
of more loyal patriotic heart,
In reply to the third charge state that neither
wrote, nor suggested, advised, nor instigated
the articles referred to in the Harrent0n NeicS-I
During the fifteen years | have been at the head
of the &dHderd | have never assailcd recognized
Democrat, and have never failed when the occasion
required it, to defend and vindicatc Democrats and
the Democratic party against the attacks of the
opposition L have never advised others TO do
what would not do myself, and | have never
assailed any one cOyertly or in the dark No man
Is my friend who hesitates for moment as to
whether would instigate privately what / would
not do myself publicly, or who would leave the
impression, by nsinuation or otherwise that was
capable of hidden unmanly deed. | am
not responsible for the Of the Editor of the
HdrrentOn -Neos, and | will take no part in a
controversy between Democrats 1t is true the
Editor of that paperis my friend, and was at one
time Clerk in my office; but paid him his salary
he earned it, and nothing more, and he is under
no greater obligations to of any kind than | |
am to him.
1t is sufficient to say that approved, both as an
Editor and as man, of the appointment of Senator
Biggs as Judge; ofthe appointment of Mr. Clingman
Senator; of the appointment of Mr. Page as
Secretary of State. to fill the unexpired term; and
that when Mr. Cooke was appointed Postmaster at
Raleigh, it was stated in the Standard that he was
well qualified for the post and that his appointment
would give general satisfaction to our citizens !
have made charge of corruption against Gov |
Bragg and Congressional delegation, nor do
for one moment believe any such charge; though |
candor requires me to say that / have always |
disapproved, and do yet disapprove of the custom
by which members of Congress substantially appoint
to Federal office. WAS among the first to suggest
the name of Thomas Bragg for Governor in 1858; !
| have been associated with him as a member of !
the Literary Board from his inauguration to the |
present time, as | was with Gov. Reid during both !
his terms; and [ have given to Gov. Braggs
administration, and still give to it, a cordial and !
unwavcring support. Under the circumstances, as
the Edtor # the Register had copied the articles
referred to from the UdrrcRon Ne,cs it was perhaps
natural and proper that the Governor should request
the former to say "that member of Congress
ever requested, either orally or in writing Gov. !
Bragg to appoint Mr. Clingman to the vacancy
made in the Senate by the resi- gnatiOn of Mr. Biggs
But if the Governor had made the request of me, !
I bova firth