Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-12-07
between NJ cssrs. Shacks lford
and Smith.


night, with our citizens, sDxlous 10 near
the discussion between Messrs. ohsckelford
and Smith, Democratic candidates for Con-
gress from this district.
Mr.. Shackelford opened the discussion y
stating that be bad made proposition u
Mr.. Smith to have an equal division of the
time, but that gentleman had refused to &C.
ter into such an arrangement. Mr.. Shackel-
ford complained that be had always opened
the discussion, but never had an opportunity
of replying 70 the remarks Of Mr.. Smith.
Mr.. Smith stated that it was remarkable
that the gentleman was not satisfied to speak
rs long as he wanted. He refused to make
an arrangement because the present pro-
ceedngs were unusual and premature. Un'
ill after the 4th of March next, be Mr.
Smith, was the Representative, and when bis
term of Office expired it would be time
enough to render an account of bis acts to
his constituents. The gentleman might
speak as long as be chose and if, in the
curse OF his remarks, he said anything that
needed reply, be would certainly answer
him. Mr.. Smith thought the gentleman had
u very difficult job before him, to prove to
his constituents that he was unworthy of
their confidence
Mr. Shackelf,rd denied the report that
had been circulated, that be had occupied
too much time in his speeches at other
places-the effect of which would be not
to give Mr.. Smith time to reply to him.
lie did not think that his task was Is
difficult as the gentleman supposed. He
commended that it was incumbent upon Mr..
Smith to show that he had rendered good
service to his constituents, before be could
ask at their hands reelection. The fact
that he was the present incumbent, was no
reason that he ougnt 10 te reelected. lie
thought that the geutleman's political career
would end about the fourth Thursday in May
next. lie (Mr. Shaekeltord) had thought OF
seuding a message to Mr.. Buchanan, to pro.
cure place Tor Mr.. Smith, as be had done
for Mr.. }. Clancy Jones, for he would Ger.
tainly want it. MIR. Smith, the speaker
thought, did not deserve the confidence OF the
Democrats, or any other party OF this district.
lie reviewed Mr.. Smiths political course 10
1853, 1855, uLd 1851. 10 SO, he was an
independent candidate, aud refused to SUBJ
init his claims to a Convention Of the party.
lie ran III opposition to Wbig, and was
OGly elected by very small majority,
though shere was q Democratic majority 10
toe District Ct about 500. 10 1854, the
Know \ things opened campaign, and it
vas thought that they would overrun every
thing, their success at the North indicating
such a result. 1t was then that MIR. Wise
took ground against them, and received the
n ,min alton OF the Stanton Convention, for
Governor OF th!S State. MIR. Smith had re-
fused to give his support to the oominee;
had reused 10 obey the dictates Of the Con-
ventloa; was he after this entitled to call
himself Democratic candidate? He had
made no excuse Tor his cOLduct on that occa-
sion. l. was sand that his II ,me was before
tue Stanton Convention. This report the
gentleman hai takea especial pains to con-
tradict and u show that his Dame was not
before that Convention, aud would not have
been before it. lie had claimed that he
was standard bearer OF Democracy IN
thas election, yet be positively refused 10
support the regular nominees of that par
~ ior State Ulcers, when there was much
Danger OF the defeat of the Democratic par
ty III the whole South. lie has taken the
g.ound now that during that canvass be
desired TO lie silent wanted to be let alone
but Notwithstanding this expressed de-
sire on ms part, be had cO-operated With the
opposition. lie had gone about making
speeches which were received with applause
by tie kUo" Notblngs, but with marked dis
approbatlon by the Democrats. lie had Dot
kept slent. lie had not been asked to abuse
the X now Nothlngs. Inc Democrats would
have been content If be had kept silent, hut
be had euioglzed toe Know Nothings, and
spoken every where IN the District IN their
favor; be Instahced in proof Of his compiler.
ty with the Know Notbings, that on the
night before the election, there was meet
ing Of the Democracy IN this city at the Ly.
oeum laI-Mr. Smith had refused to attend
this meeting, bu; preferred addressing the
kuow NJthIngs from the steps of the Mar.
snail llyuse. lie had called them his Eel
lOT Americans" and good brethren."--
lie, (nr. SbackeltUrd) had nothing to say
aslIus! tue Know NotbIngs. lie did not
obi ct to mau entertaining political views
different iron his own--aut that Mr.. Smith
had been playing double. The Democracy
were amazed when they found how tar
nc had gone with the Know Nothings.--
bile he was claiming to be Democrat,
(aud while such, the people ct Culpepsr
mad been informed that uspIrants for his pO-
stlon must wait until he was taken into
Atrsbam's bosom, or provided with place
by b chanan,) he was GOT only making
speeches, Dut aetaIIUy 10 favor ol the kosw
NothlnS5. lie liale = speech IN SpOtsylVe-
nil, when Mr.. Little, Of the fredericksburg
News, hal said dad Wise much harm. lie
made speech a. a meeting at Oak Shade to
Know Nothlngs and Democratic speakers
were not allowed an audience. 90 the next
day, Democtaiic meeting was held at the
saa,e place, but Mr. Smith did not attend.
lie was not content with speaking softly"
- bio democratic fuenis--he was willing to
peak IN favor OF the Know Notblngs, but
desired to be silent on the Democratlc noml-
uee-. 1t appeared be also got into c!rres-
poGdepce with hls Know Nothing friends -
About that time tue cardlual principle ot the
democracy was, to support It's regular uomi-
nee-. Instead Of doing this, MIR. Smith had
euiOGizcd the opposition, whose Ject was "
break down the DamOcratlc party The