Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-07-30
From the Daily Journal of the 23d inst.

ASHEVLLE, n. o., JULY 18th, 1898.
Dear Sir: The discussion between MeSsrs. Ellis and
McRae came off at this place yesterday. Ellis led off
in capital speech of two hours. He talks like states
man and true North Carolnian He is strong this
section and is daily growing stronger and on the first
Thursday in August will sweep the Mountains!
McRae followed in a speech of equal length. | knew
from reading Eastern papers, what his position on the
Internal Improvement question had been in that section
and watched him closely. He is good Raj Road man
nooO and said lie aUOd recommend additional approprl
ationS qUhen then needed" WHEN THE TINE CAME
were his exact words This was a bait to catch West
ern people, as he took such position so far as have
SEEM in the East The following correspondence fully
explains his position The original is 10 my possession
and will be published here next week
AsHEv1LLE, july Is, 1858.
To the Hons. J. W. Ellis and d. K. McRGe:
GENTIEMEN--In your discussion ut this place today
understand you both as saying that you opposed
to increasing the debt of the State at present. beyond
the amount pledged by previous legislation; but that
when the time came if it should be found that the four
millions already appropriated to the Western n o.
Rail Road together with the two millions required Of
Individuals would not extend it to the Tennessee ne
YOU would be in favor of the State making further APP
preparations sufficient to complete it, On the payment by
private subscription of one third of the amount. Re
garding the time at which this would become proper
vet left indefinite and very important to our part of
the State and you both appeared to suppose it would
be five or six years. propounded to you both the cues
ton Whether if the State and privates subscribers
should subscribe and expend and work out the sum of
six millions within four years, you would if in office
recommend further appropriations at that time for its
completion And took occasion to express the opin
on that if the charter Ghould be amended to
eve us of the requirement to finish it by sections
you proposed, that could accomplish it within four
years, except perhaps part of the tunnel.
To this interrogatOry understood Judge Ellis to an
swer in the affirmative, and Mr.. McRae to say that in
no contingency would he be candidate for reelection,
so that he would not then be in Office, but far he
could exert any influence private citizen, it would
be done cheertully.
Will you each be so kind to say whether [ cor
rect as to the responses, &c,
Respectfully, your ob't. serv't:,
n. w. WOODFIN.
The foregoing is correct statement according to my
understanding.
Yours. &C.. JOHN w. ELLIS.
The foregoing is in substance the response given by
to your question: and is the position have always
occupied D. K. McRAE.
Now, Mr. Editor how does this agree with Mr.. Nc
Raes position in the East? They don't doveta well,
or l am greatly mistaken. That's all.
McRaes supporters in this quarter are exclusively a.
mong the Know Nothngs, and he cannot get even a
majority OF that party. Many of the best will not
touch him. AS tor Democrats, not one in Western
Carolina will vote for him.
l thought it right that you in the East should
know his position here and hence send you the above,
with which you can do as You please
| Yours truly
| THOS w ATKINS