Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-07-15

BSPThe contest between Coleman and Vance in the
eighth or mountain district wakes quite warm and the
Ashevie News says with highly favorable prospects
for the Democratic candidate, who presses his competi
tor very close indeed.
At first we hardly thought that Coleman would be
elected although we had no doubt that his party was in
the majority in the eighth district shown by the vote
for Governor and President but especially for Governor
as that is the more recent There were side issues
however, that we knew were exerting an unfortunate
influence upon the Democratic party in that district
issues that could not before Congressman for Of
fetal action voteissues arising out of the location OF
projected public works and other matters of local
character with which Congress could not have anything
to do Against such issues or their influence we warned
our Democratic friends of the mountains at the first
We have reason to hope that they themselves have
thought about the matter and have seen the mistaken
character of the course they were pursuing.
By gentleman very recently from the 9th district
we learn that S. E. Williams ESQ.,, is strongly en-
couraged to believe that he will be elected to Congress
in place of Hon. John A Gilmer and such appears to
be the belief of others. Certainly the appearances are
that Mr. Williams will get much better vote than he
did two years since. He is now much more cordially
some votes from those, until recently, acting with the
opposition Mr.. Gimer, we understand expresses him.
self as being confident of observation-disclosures the idea
of Mr. WaddePs getting votes and rather affects to be
funny over Mr.. Williams. Mr.. Gmer will change his
tune we think after the election.
The first district is very closely contested-he party
lines are very strictly drawn and great changes are not
to be expected The election two years ago was carried
for DR.. Shaw by very small majority, something under
fifty. There is therefore, every incentive for exertion on
both Sides and there is, we fear great deal too much
bitterness of feeling elected The very fact that the
same gentleman opposes DIR. Shaw as opposed him
two years since gives sort of continuity and intensity
to the struggle which it might not otherwise possess
When two years ago DR.. Shaw and Mr.. Smith ran
they bore themselves towards each other as gentleman
should and we heard of nothing tending to disturbance
of their friendly and peaceful relations In the fact
of this Mr.. Rayner who figured in the opposition Con
vention by which Mr. Smith was brought out, made
speech in which he stated his belief that advantage nigh
be taken of Mr.. Smiths known opposition to dueing il
order to run over him attempt to do So and ther
Mr. Rayner proceeded to refer to portions of the Dem
ocrats as " sons of b-s'-"d-mn sons of b-s'
the Edenton Express of his organs reported him
having said. Rayner in letter to the Express admit
ted all but the "d-mn." He also counseled resor
to cudge law. In the present canvass wherever SHAY
has spoken he has been exceedingly severe upon Ray
ner, and very recently when speaking at Mureesboro
the county seat OF Hertford near Mr. Rayners resdenc
he repeated all he had said elsewhere exenuating moth
ing. On the day of the discussion there Mr. Rayner d
not make his appearance in town, staying out at hi
plantation all day.
There be little doubt but that the peculiar char
acter of part Of the opposition made to Dr. SHAY
materially helped in securing his election two years age
and the same will be the case now. No doubt MI
Smith feels the weight which such support imposes upo
bm-the fooshy spiteful diatribes of the Washington