Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-07-06
The Thirty Million Bill no Test.

Democratic Press-and the Warrenton Neos, are at
tempting by every means in their power to make an
issue test in this District of the thirty million
bill. What their motives are we know not, but the
tendency of their course is to inure the party and
create discord in its ranks. And not only this but
this effort their part to establish test or raise
an issue which the Franknton Convention delibe
ratey declined to make to raise, is reflection on
that body and an insult to the Democracy Of the
District, whose delegates composed that body. -
- The " Fire6rand" of May 2lst said:
This the thirty million bill is our trump card
We know certain paper not a thousand miles off
that had better follow suit now before it is too late
We shall draw the line and traces, and
they must pull kindly in the harness, or be turned
out to grass with the blind and MANNED of the oppo
sition."
| The " Firebrand" of June 18th said:
cit 1.-THE thirty million bill is an issue in this Dis
trict-a practical issue.'
| Again, the Fsrebrand" of Saturday last says:
We repeat, the thirty million bill of Mr.. Branch
is not test of party allegiance, and is issue
| only in this District"
| Now, what is the difference between an issue and
a test? If the thirty million bill is an issue, must
not those who are for it vote for Mr. Branch, and
|
it an issue is therefore, to make it test 1t is nei
Their an issue nor test 1t involves no fundamen-
tai principle of Democracy, and it is not in issue.
1t is matter about which Dem crats differ; those
who against it, those who acknowledgement to it. as
we'll as those who are for it. being for Mr.. Branch.
To make it an issue-to make it test-and test
as we have shown is an ssue-is to assail the NOM
ince and to call on those who are not favorable to
the thirty million bill to vote against him.
In addition to these extracts from the Fire.
6rand" we quote the following from some commu-
nications in the Warrenton Necs the signature
of" lansing" which communications are attributed,
and no doubt truly, to Hon. Weldon N Edwards
Mr. Edwards says:
at is of the first importance, then, that meas
ure which originated in the public will II speak of
the Democracy, and has been ushered into being
under all the sanctions used in party organization,
should receive the favor and support of all who be-
long to the organization"
Again in his second number Mr. Edwards says:
"In a former number I examined the character of
the Cuban bill, and the relations of the Democracy
to it, and attempted to shOw-nOt unSuccessfully,
hope-that erery sound md true Democrat aoas
bound in good faith. and as a matter Of duty, to
gire it his support"
The Meas and the "FIrebrund" have published
and endorsed this language of Mr.. Edwards; and
the Neus in its last issue goes far to say "ce
could not gire cordial support to any for Con-
gress, that intended to oppose the BILL"
sNow undertake to say that the Hon. Weldon
N. Edwards is not the Democrat to lecture Demo-
Gratis on good faith and "duty" His Democracy
has been regarded on all hands as rather ordinary
ever since when Speaker of the Senate he de-
feated the Free Suffrage bill We shall not look to
him, nor his man Friday, walsh nor to the
"FTe6rand" for instructions as to "duty" OF
"good faith" We stand, as Mr. Branch stands, on
the platform Of the Franklinton Convention and
occupying this position in common with the Demo
cracy of the District, protest against issues OF
tests, the only effect of which be to inure the
party and diminish Mr. Branch's vote
The resolution of the Franklnton Convention
unanimously adopted, IS as follows
=" Resolred, Tbat in favor of the acquisition
c Of Cuba whenever it can be accomplished OH fan
y; and honorable terms; that in our opinion the pos
g session of the island would greatly advance the
commercial, mechanical, and agricultural interests
of the United States while it would give additions
security to the Mississippi valley in the event of
foreign war, and mark for all time another step ir
|
It tons. That it behooves our government to keep
. watchful eye upon the movements of France ant
!" England in relation to Central America and Cuba
J. and that any attempt by Spain to ALLEVIATE the slant
e to any other foreign power to Africanize it by
e aboishng slavery therein, should be resisted ant
i prevented by our government, at whatever cost o.
- hazard"
II And Mr.. Branch in his Card published in thu
> last STANDARD, says:
:. y. 81 have never wished to make test of the Cub
bill. Every member of the Franklinton Convention
t. my friend, and have never heard that such
test was proposed or suggested by any individual
r. there. Such proposition would not have met m,
approval. The Cuba bill was only means to al
II end stund upon the resolution of TIL
ID Frunkinton Conrention, and in defending my pas
E. action make no test for the present. any pedg
9. for the future"
J. This is the true position; and occupying thi
% position, Mr.. Branch has right to expect, what
If trust he will receive the united support of tn
ID Democracy of the District. But issues and test
70 outside the Convention, and above the Convention
G will not be tolerated. Mr.. Edwards, the Necs an
IN the "Firebrand" are engaged In work which Cal
pr benefit neither Mr.. Branch nor the cause No mai
10 ter what their motives may be- they sowing dis
ID cord in the ranks.
Let us defend the bill, the administration and M,
Branch against the attacks of the opposition; bu
ut let us not inure the cause, or inure Mr. Branch
by making the bill issue test among ourselves
The Fifth District.
Messrs. Williams and Gilmer will address tn
people at the following times and places:
=. Cane Greek Factory, Alamance Saturday, Jul