Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-05-08
Mr.. McRae,s Letter.

UTttuFuioJ W. 1"o''N"J3 ~ASs
Mr.. McRae's Letter.
We publish oday the letter of Duncan K. Nc
Rae ESQ.,, late Consul of the United States at Paris
announcing himself candidate for Governor in op
position to the regular Democratic candidate.
In making this announcement, Mr. McRae regrets
"that some one else better qualified to maintain and
uphold the distribution cause "has not yet con-
sented to take, or continue in, the field" This
includes Messrs. Venable, Arlington and Leake.
Neither of the two first named gentlemen could be
induced to stake" the field; and the latter, after
foray against the Democratic hosts which was as
weak as possible, and almost ridiculous, deemed it
expedient no longer to continue" in the field.
Like the stories in the literary publications of the
day, Mr. Leake concluded himself for the time being
under the promise {" To be continued" at some fu-
ture time; and we shall look for him again in the
course of four five years. in the midst of crisis
gotten up by himself, by Mr.. McRae, and few
other disinterested politicians, and ready for any
candidacy or any post to which his admiring fellow.
citizens may call him. We have no doubt that
when Mr.. Leake discontinued himself Mr.. McRae
said Amen! He was happy to know that the "some
else, better" qualified than he was, had retired
from the field; and that he is the undsputed
grounds and stumpy places were we'll broken mp
for him in advance by the Richmond Farmer"
We shall see what seed this enthusiastic young
sower will put in, and what crop, whether of good
grain or of thorns and thistles, will reward his la
bors.
Mr.. McRae says further
"No man who has proper appreciation of the
popular dignity can fail to be impressed with the
responsibility of asking to have conferred upon him
the chief executive Magistracy of North Carolina
and no man of ordinary sensibility can fail in a
right estimation of the honor and distinction of be-
ing thus selected by the voice of the people"
This is taking time by. the forelock." Mr.. Nc
Rae admits that he tasks" for the Office. Who
"asked him to have it2 Has he been "selected
by the voice of the people" either for the candidacy
Or for the place? Who has called him OUT Demo-
Gratis in good standing? Not one, so far as we
know. He has been called, then, by the oppose
tion-and what is this opposition? 1t is a COM
pound of old Federalists incorrigible Wings, anti
Buchanan men. and nveterate Know-Nothinse.-
These are the "sweet voices to which he responds
They come up from the time of the war with Eng
land, when Federalism was synonym of opposi-
ton to just war and to the triumphs of our flag
from the war with Mexico, when these ncorrgible
Wings refused supplies to our gallant soldiers, and
"preambled" and hesitated when victory hung in
doubtful scale, and when, far as they were con.
cerned, the foe might have triumphed and Scott
and Taylor-from the enemies of the administration
ofJames Buchanan, and Franklin Pierce and James
Polk, so bright so useful, glorious in our an
nails, and without which neither Texas nor Califor.
Ma would have been acquired and the Union itself
would have been drifting with all its precious inter-
ests and high hopes, on the breakers of dissolution
and civil war-from the dens and thickets of SAM -
"nere to persecute the stranger and to deny the
right OF religious thought was esteemed o cardinal
virtue and where prescription, and secret oaths and
ialeVolence and vengeance constituted the test Of
party ieaty, and crowned such triumphs as these
isc'ous societies succeeded in achieving. This
men, is the opposition which has sselected !" Mr.
ne7ae Under this flag he fights. It requires nc
s'3of prophecy to foretell the defeat and humilia
aon which must overtake him.
Mr. McRae further says
Having no platform purposely constructed to B.
squa7ocal, on which to stand without restraint by
aey a'ctation of caucus, and having ample freedom
VI. movement, without danger of missing the
p,ank' shall be able candidy to set forth to tn,
f'Ople my views and sentiments."
here is charge, by indirection, that the Demo
s'auc party of the State, to which Mr.. McRae pro
!'''ss to belong, has been guilty Of deliberate at
'Npt to deceive the people and to obtain their sui
'seS oy evasion, equivocation, fraud! Does Mr.
al'Aae believe the charged Is he in earnests Doe
~ mean what he says, and says thus by indirectioD