Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-07-28
More OF Mr.. McRae,s Diplomacy ,

he would have deceived every body and himself be-
sides, whenever be might have chosen to do His
activity in changing and his fertility Of resources in
making contrary opinions exactly the same, are in
deed surprising. There never has been, in this
State. exactly such politician as Mr.. McRae; and
cannot account for his peculiarties except upon
the ground that he took some lessons in French
this subject, which else in North Carolina has
had an opportunity of taking.
The Asheville Spectator has just brought to light
the following letter, written by Mr.. McRae in May
last:
MosELY HALL, LENo1R,
May 9th, 49,
Ny DEAR S1R:-I know my position on the In
ternal Improvement question will be greatly mis-
represented in your section, and propose, there
fore, iii do not trouble you too much) to give you
truthfully as present it everywhere, the position
occupy.
The WESTERN EXTENSION AND TIE WILMINGTON
AND RU7HEKFoKD r. RI am opposed to increasing
the State debt or liability dollar ut the neat Legs-
Ltture, for any work of improvement-not because
am opposed to either of the works above named
but because l am satisfied the necessary Revenue
bill cannot be passed, and the people Of the East,
particularly could not bear the burden of increased
taxation. l am friend to both Roads, and am
deeply DESTROYS Of their completion soon as it
can be accomplished l will stand up with
truest fidelity to the Legislation already made-to
wit: the 100000 for the Western Extension and
the 100000 for the Wilmington and Rutherford
Railroad, according to the terms of the act, and
would be glad to the terms complied with and
the contracts let all along the line, and both sides
as fast as this can be done, and would facilitate as
soon possible such result.
Mr.. Ellis thinks the 100000 (capitalO will
complete the road and that appropriations furth-
er will be needed-anc yesterday at this place he
said. He did not expect to recommend any further
appropriations at the next Legislature for it would
require six or eight years to spend the present
sum-"
In reply, said if that was his position, there was
no material difference, for by that time hoped the
State would be amply able to meet the derland upon
her, and there would be doubt of it, if we would
unite and pass " Distribution" for before that time
we could obtain fund by which to build all our
Roads and at the same time get rid of debt
For the Fayetteville Coal Fields RI ad he will fur
nish aid by subscribing for Stock. think Fayette
vile entitled and her road, great State work.
But propose to aid her without further burdcning
the State by transferring saleabe stock from other
roads to hers, which stock will be benefited by the
transfer
I have declared for the principle of connecting
Railroad Stock with Banking principles, and he at
lacks this point, all through this section, where
| he thinks it unpopular.
He is making all the capital he can here, by oppo-
sition to the Danville connection while l have
serted the principle that ally people have right to
| to enable them to reach market.
As to Distribution, believe it practicable and nee
essary, unless would see our Northern Abolition
lists divide among themselves all the land and our
selves lose the enjoyment of it.
| The passage of the Insane Bill in 1858 and of
Morrill's Bill the other day, show distribution to be
practicable.
KASsAs-I said would have voted against the
first Bill bnt on the ground that she claims % mil
lions of acres of land.
| do u,rifo hic loffer for h,fv
are at liberty to state my positions as you under
stand them and by authority.
am very respectfully,
Your ob't. serv't.,
DUNCAN K. McRAE
The Editor of the Spectator introduces this letter
to his readers in the following language:
"CHARGE OF CHANGE There has been consider.
| able fuss with some about charge that Mr.. McRae
has changed his position the subject of Internal
| Improvements. Now we have in our possession,
| the following letter which received from Mr..
McRae about two months ago, which we were then
requested to make note o., as "by authority" but
Mr. McRae having claim upon his organ,
and We being at that time somewhat predisposed
against him, did not feel called on to comply with
his request. Though act of justice, even to
political opponent, we ought probably to have done
so. But, further, we were then unable to write,
it might, perhaps, have appeared. The letter was
accompanied by another from II. S. Smith, ESQ.,, of
Raleigh, who being an intimate personal friend of
ours, forwarded the letter to u.s.
Now, fellow-citizens, let US analyze this matter,
| and see what it is.
In the first place the letter is dated the 9th of
May.
IDLY. 1t was sent through his WAig friend, Mr.
Smith.
3dy. 1t soas not to be published, but to be shown
to friends, and his positions stated prioatezy "by
authority
4thly. The Editor did not publish it, because lie
"soas unable to aorite but if he could have written,
cit might, Perhaps have appeared" And yet Mr..
McRae expressly informed him he did "not write
this letter for publication" Other letters he had
written for publication but this letter to be
published!
5thly. The Editor insists that Mr. McRae has un-
dergone no change on internal improvements that
the " considerable fuss " made about his having
changed amounts to nothing; for, says the Editor,
"soe haue in possession the tolloacing letter.
which shows that he has been with US of the West
all the time. If, then the Editor Of the Spectator
has not been deceived-if ne has known all along
that Mr.. McRae has been anxious to facilitate as
soon as possible - the completion of the Western
Extension, and wanted the contracts let all along
the line, and on both sides fast this can BE-
done "-then we say, the entire East has been de.
ceioed
| But to the letter itself.
He is opposed to increasing the State debt one
dollar at the meet Legislature" In his Dancy letter
and in his Eastern speeches. he was opposed to add
ing dollar to the debt at any time. Such is the
construction his friends placed on his speeches
He did confine himself to the next Legislature.
He wants to transfer stock to aid the Fayetteville
Road, yet he does not tell the people that he would
take that stock, or what it yields, from the fund