The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-05-11
LETTER FROM DUNCAN K. McRAE.
RAIPIGH April 26 1858

FELLow-CITIZENs In announcing myself to
you as candidate for your suffrages at the cleo
ton to be held in August next, for the Office OF
Governor take the Occasan to repeat the regret
have often EXPRESSED: that some else better
qualified to maintain and uphold the greet cues
ton have been for the last six months endeaVor-
ing to present to you, has not consented to take,
or continue in the field In this state Of the case,
have not been able to resist the appeals which
have been made to me by men of both parties, and
without reference to party, to consent to be can
didate.
No man who has proper appreciation OF the
popular diqniy can fail to be impressed with the
responsibility of asking to have conferred upon
him the chief executive Magistracy of North Caro-
lima, and no man of ordinary sensibility fail in
right estimation of the honor and distinction of
being thus selected by the voice of the people.
am Justly mindful of the one and the other, and it
is with unaffected difidence of my merits and ability
that | make this announcement. L am only sus-
tanned by the consciousness that [ shall bring to
your service if honOred by your choosing, q heart
dceply deroted to the welfare of beloved moth
err and wholly determined to strive after her IN
tercsts and faithfully to maintain her honor and
integrity know that all questions of policy ought
to be presented to the people, and shall frankly
meet all interrOgations upon every issue which
may rise, Having platform p~'posely con-
styucted to be egirOcai which to stand, without
restraint by any dictdtion of caucus, and having
ample freedom of movement, without danger of
'missing the plank" | shall be able candidiy to
set forth to the people my views and sentiments
Seeking to obtain no mans vote by conce~lment,
artifce, evasion, my language shall be to erprcss
and not to hide, my opinions.
1t is well known that am opposed to any in
crease of the State debt or any addition to her liza
bity, at this time, for works of Internal Improve
ment. Nevertheless, [ am an Gdr0cdte OF the
completion of our present system, and OF extending
aid to other most important works, sighted OF
neglected. I do not exaggerate or Over-estimate
the means when I say that if | lead the people
of North Carolina to adapt the plan [ shall pre-
sent our Rail Roads can be at extended to
the Valley of the Mississippi. The old town of
Fayetteville the only market town of our State in
the Interior situated a river really navgable the
ancient market for our friends of the West, now
within 40 miles of vast mineral resources, and
lust i'm this moment cut off and isolated, may be
stored to communication with her former custom
ers Steam enterprise from Eastern harbors
may be undertaken, and all worthy objects of inl
provement entered on and completed, arithOm al
diionaL burden upon people, while the present
debt may be speedily extinguished and our pres
ent heavy taxation removed.
What this plan is, | shall present in detail at the
proper time, as | have already in part done. 1t is
known that in politics have been always a Demo-
erat From my youth up, the records of this par
ty bear testimony to my service and fidelity
There is now no organized opposition. Both cam
didates in all likelihood, will be willing to have
the votes of those differing from them in politics.
1t shall be my effort to deprive the canvass of a
party character-to secure to the people for one
tnc, the selection of Governor without refer
encc to his political affiliations. My appeal shall
be made to my fellow citizens in the If they
deem me worthy and clothe me with the high
trust to which l aspire l will endeavor to hold
the rcins of Government to guide old North
Carolina out of her difficulties and embarrassment,
into the paths of prosperity and peace.
Your friend and obdt servant,
ID. X. MCRAE.