Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-07-14
Messrs. Ellis and McRae in Ashe.

Murpby Cherokee, Saturday, July Oath.
Messrs. Ellis and McRae in Ashe.
We give below brief sketch of the discussion in
Jefferson, Ashe, between Messrs. Ellis and McRae
We learn that Judge Ellis made an excellent i'm
nresson in Ashe and that he will poll full vote in
that part of the State.
Our jefferson correspondent confirms the state
ment heretofore made and maintained, that Mr.. Nc
Rae has changed his ground on the Western Extern
sion. He says, Mr.. McRae now advocates a COM
petion of the Road by State aid-thnks the charter
should be freed from the section feature, and the
whole Road placed under contract at the same time"
Now Mr. McRae has right to change position on
public questions as often as he pleases; but we in
sist that he owes it to himself and to the people
when he does change, to admit the fact He declar
ed for instance, in his Dancy letter, that no sane
man would think of voting another dollar to the
Western Extension; and in his speech in Clinton
be said /" for himself he would not recommend the
increase of the State debt to the extent of dollar
for any work of internal improvement now in pro-
gress in North Carolina" Every where iu the East
he left the impression by his speeches that he was
opposed to further State aid to any public work..
Is not that so? We appeal to those who heard him
in the East-to his friends, to say if it is not
So If not SO, why his talk about the "gap" in the
mountains, which Judge Ellis proposed in certain
contingency to fill up, making the pockets of the
people "gapc wide open?" If not so, wherefore
his arguments to prove that the Western Extension
would cost ten millions? If not so, wherefore his
declaration that the taxes already imposed on the
inf 10 tn
show that the State was declining and would decline,
if further taxes should be levied? Then he was
sganst another dollar for any public work he
is for appropriating $685. coo per annum to the Fay
ettevle Coafelds Road and he is also, by newt
able inference, say the least in favor of addition.
al State aid to the Western Extension. Then he
rdiculed the idea of filling up the gap of max.
ing the Swananoa tunnel; now he is for the gap
he would make the tunnel, or aid in making it,
for it would be absurd to think of going to work
along the whole line of the Road, as he proposes to
do, without working on the tunnel and we all know
that private subscriptions cannot be obtained to do
that work.
And now, what will the people think of such a
candidate? Do they not see that he has one tone
for the East and another for the West ?-that he
draws the purse-srings in one section, and loosens
them in anthor?-that he is what he considers a
good Eastern man in the East, and good Western
man in the West? Elect him Governor, and what
section of the State could depend upon him? But
We are OBTAINING readers from the sketch of our
Jefferson correspondent, which is as follows:
JEFFERSON, N c., July 5, 1858.
MEssRs. HOLDEN & WILSON: Messrs. McRae and
add occod ho of Aeho
Mr.. McRae opened the discussion with his usual
ability, and entertained the audience with rare
specimen Of eloquence and ingenuity. We were
sorry to see his fine talents misapplied to the advo
cacy Of cause so hopeless, and so full of error.
While he still processes to be Democrat, all must
See and none more clearly than himself that his
connexion with the party is severed; and he now
stands hopelesaly identified with the opposition
Inc same topics heretofore debated by the candi-
oates formed the subject of his speech.
Judge Ellis followed Mr.. McRae in calm digni.
ned and able exposition of his views, and won upon
1ne understandings and hearts of the large audience
ne proved, by high authority, that distribution
impol'tlc and unlawful" That it stained the es-
Gu'cheohs OF its former advocates, anu was used by
mem only as bid for popularity" His speech
was mighty credtable and more than met the ex-
pectatons Of his friends.
ihelr respective positions on the subject of inter-
s improvements formed material portion of the
'ussioh Judge Ellis makes two points upon his
..Ou'pettor which it would seem impossible for him
" get out of: both of which involve change of
te"s on the part of Mr.. McRae since the opening of
The canvass =
A. In announcing himself candidate, and in the
ppseusslons at Charlotte and other places, Mr.. Nc
Ga ae aVo"ed himself opposed to farther appropria-
n noAs ior works of internal improvements. The
hsspapers in bis support urged his election upon
a! ground, and charged Judge Ellis with favoring
sh increase Of the State debt. Our present roads,
lucy lucy argued, were to be completed, and new ones
u II at all, by distribution of the public lands
~. oy legislative aid
~ NOW, MIR. McRae favors transfer of the stock in
p ae 1aelgh and CASTOR Road to aid the building
10 the Coafelds. which Judge Ellis shows Is
Ts annual appropriation from the sinking fund.
hi, LUIS IS one OF the points the Judge makes upon
sr1 competitor the other is in regard to the West
~" hktension Instead of maintaining his for1ne,
oson as declared by himself and his supporters
n pon mat subject, Mr. McRae advocates com
t tas OF the road by State aid thinks the char
should be freed from the section feature and thu
mole road placed under contract at the same time
h.. que to Mr. McRae to state, that he insists h,
as oeen guilty of no departure upon these ques
av"s and that he occupies now, identically, tn
a %s ground as when he opened the canvass.
ne discussion passed off pleasantly, and pleasan
'''s'ons seem to prevail with the, candidates.
PHENIX.
~ q. STATE SrocKs.-At an opening Of bids :
,ue Ireasurer's office few days since, $1,000 q
N0Ftn-carolina Coupon Bonds were bid for an
awarded at q premium Of onethird Of one per cenl
u sa - Is