The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-08-23
THE RESULT IN THE FIRST DIST.

May be briefly summed up in the announcement
that VIM. n H. Smith, Esq, the Opposition
candidate for Congress has been elected by
majority of about five hundred votes. Hon. Ii. NJ
Shaw of course has been defeated by the same
majority.
Under ordinary circumstances we should DOW In
silent acquiesence to what might seem to persons
at distance to be the imperial will of the people Of
the First District, fairly and deliberately expressed
But we regard the issue of the canvass just ended
with no such sentiment of satisfaction. We
believe that this election has been carried by fraud
and intimidation. A purgaton of the polls would
show that scores if not hundreds OF illegal votes
were thrown for Mr. Smith. Besides this, we
believe that many honest but illiterate Democratic
voters were imposed upon with spurious tickets.
To our knowledge, several Democrats voted, in
single precinct on last Thursday, for Mr. Smith,
under the supposition that they were voting for
Dr. Shaw.
The menace Of violence, thrown out in the
Winton Convention of last May, although it
seemed at time unlikely to be carried into
effect has nevertheless been thoroughly fulfilled.
The most disgraceful scenes have been witnessed
from one end eff the District to another. The
canvass has been signazed with ARRAYS, and
assassin-like attacks to which not the aninus of
MURDER but only the strength or the nerve to
execute, was wanting. The armed assault made
made upon the Editor of this paper, at EGenton,
on Monday night week; the organization ola mob
to waylay and commit some unknown and fendish
indignity upon him at Gainesville Tuesday
following; the free of hickory sticks the
camp-ground near the place the evening
of the Democratic Mass Meeting, the threats of
attack upon ourself which ensued upon the issuing
of The CitiEen-EXtra, the abominable instigatng
which was only abandoned because it appeared
that we had too many and too determined friends
all these, with other incidents of the campaign
which might name, conclusvely confirm
charge, and give gnfcant force to the suggestion
that means, honorable or dishonorabe, were
left unused by the Opposition to the election
of their candidate for Congress.
Apart from these overtures Of actual violence, a
general system of intimidation and terrorism has
been rcsorted to; which, we doubt not, kept many
honest Democrats from coming to the polls, or
constrained them to the support of Mr. Smith. With
the vigorous and laborous effort made by the
working of the Democratic party of the
District, through it's whole length and breadth,
the vote should have been much larger than
reported count discloses There was no lack of
spirit or enthusiasm among the masses for our
gallant nominee; there was no lukewarmness in
the cause; and his defeat is due alone to the
tactics Of force and falsehood adopted by the
Opposition.
We are not discouraged, however, by the result
Mr. Smith goes to Congress- next December, it is
rue and he will then and there have an opportunity
to show us something of those principles which the
Convention that nominated him had not the honesty
and courage to announce. The Democracy of the |
District, temporarily repulsed, is not destroyed
or beaten down, but will arise again in full and |
compact ranks and recrcaed vigor when the tocsin
OF another combat shall summon them to arms
In"rtieeSborough (N O. Citizen.