Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-03-26
GoldSboro', 18th March, 1858.

GENTLEMEN The writer of the article i'll the Tribune
to which alluded in my note of the l8th ult states in
one place us Il rumor" which he believes founded in
truth, and in another place in the article, a
fact within his belief, that Judge Ellis in cor
respondence with Mr.. Cantwel in 1858 when this latter
gentleman Editor of distribution paper in Will
mington ); and upon this fact rumor, bases the as
sumption that when in juno of that year | announced
the of Judge Ellis, among those who were commit
ted to the policy then recommended to the Democratic
party authorized to do So by some letter from,
" correspondence with Judge Ellis himself
In the controversy going between the friends
of Mr.. Holden and Mr. Ellis, conceived it no part OF
my business to interfere especially neither of them
my first choice for the Office of Governor but feel
ING, nevertheless the statement above alluded to-
panied by my silence, calculated to inurC the latter
undeservedly felt it to be my duty TO hasten to state
and did give you TO understand that it not sustain
ed by any facts within my knowledge or recollection.
take advantage OF a leisure moment between the
Nash and Johnston courts, to say further, that in
December 1888 four months after my editorial cOnnec-
ton with the Free Press ceased, and when about
to start Democratic paper i'll the city of Raleigh
l had conversation with gentleman of Salisbury
named Brown, at the Mills House in Charleston, upon
the subject of the approaching Democratic Convention
in this State, and the position the Statesman would occ
by in the canvass for Governor.
In consequence of the sentiments expressed in that
conversation, Judge Ellis addressed me private and
friendly letter. and deploring the division which seemed
NOMINEE of the party for Governor although the choice
of the Convention should fall on one who did rot approve
my the public land question: and he gave
eral why he supposed could do SO with propr
ETY., stating at the time, and very emphaticaly
that the condition of his private affairs at that time
would not permit him to be a candidate
Towards the close of this letter, Judge Ellis alluded to
| conversation had had upon the street at Whining
ton and referred to the position in which had assigned
and Cassed him few months before the date of this let
tori nj m
stated to in that conversation. He informed me that
my impression OF his views not correct and that he
had not thought it necessary TO address the sub
ject previously, but that in the position then
shortly to Editor of the Statesman it due
to to say that he did not intend by any remarks
he had made to create the impression that he in
favor of the distribution of the public land " but that
the contrary he still INDUCED the hope, that partia
and extravaganza donations of them would be checked
and the proceeds turned into the public treasury
| This is the only letter., and the only correspon
dence" in writing otherwise, which have had with
Mr. Ellis upon the land question. have not seen OF
heard read the contents Of his letter to Mr. Dancy
is any part my business at present to enquire whether
he wrote such letter or not and if what he said
The why have not made this statement before
u.s. because not BEFORE until now authorized tt
speak publicly of the contents of that letter. and crcum
stances did not to to demand that should seek
permission to do So
think it allowable in me to remark again. frequent
uclOIe Ill puUHC SpetCntS anu III Ine uTSC Huuuer
the Statesman, replying to the Editor of the Standard
and to others upon variety of occasions, that have
always repudiated and do now repudate and deny thu
charge of being disribuonist' or of having edited
distribution paper" put the necessity for demand
of the share of North Carolina" as it is called upor
the necessity Of doing something prevent distribution
thought that if North Carolina and the old States gen
orally made this demand, it would stop distribution, and
restore the old and wise policy" of keeping the public
lands and turning their proceeds into the public treasu
| n l.
and attempted to establish the Statesman The enter
prise failed by no fault of mne but from the want O.
means, and its inherent mpractcabIity and upor
its failure, never having been distrbutionst, or in ia
vor of distribution, returned to the party and in al
humber sphere did what had pledged myself in the frs
number of the paper to do, and what Judge Ellis hat
urged to do aided to secure the election of Governor
| Bragg, nominee of the Democratic Convention.
| | am, gentlemen,
| Very respectfully, your ob't svt,
| EDW ARD CANTWEJI,