Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-03-16

Sausoltle democracy Cl0 nOtnlnS IOr tne w eSteIH
Extension! The truth is. the Democrats as a party
didall they could for the Western Extension No
political party in Convention assembled, can CON-
mani the representatives Of the people to cote con-
tra's to the oishes Of their constituents All that
party do in State affairs is to make an honest
effort as party to carry out its views; and what
ever Pledges it may make in Convention, or through
its Candidates for Governor, or through its presses
as recognized exponents of party of public opin
ion are subject at all times they must necessari-
y be in all free governments like ours, to the final
action of the people at the ballotbox in choosing
their representatives. This honest effort aeas made
by the Democratic party in relation to the Western
Extension. 1t failed We regret it, but regrets are
vain for the past. The Democrats of Buncombe
have Their views in relation to State affairs, and the
Democrats of Edgecombe differing with them, have
theirs. What then? Do they cease to be Demo-
Gratis because they thus differ? By no means Can
you reconcile them in Convention You may, for
the Democrats of Edgecombc may decide not to
make paramount issue of the views entertained on
State affairs by the Democrats of Buncombe; or on
the contrary, Buncombe may so decide as to Edge
combe. Agreeing as to the fundamental principles
of Democracy, they may further agree to make an
effort to carry out certain measures of State policy
and NEITHER seems to u.s. is obnoxious to ccnsure in
case oefaQre provided honest effort has been made
tonduce the people adopt the views thus proclaim
ed. If the people of Buncombe, at the ballot-box,
say no. there is an end of it if the people of Edge
combe at the baotbox, say no. there is also an end
oft. The question then ceases to be one of par
ty, and becomes question between the repre-
sentative and his constituent. 1t may, and some
times does become sectional question, as it did to
some extent in the last Legislature A large por-
ton of the State cast of Guford thought for exam
pe that the present charter of the Western Exten-
sion, with the amendments, ought to be satisfactory
to the West; the West thought differently, and fail
ing to obtain notifications of the charter, did not
hesitate to defeat the appropriation for the Albc-
marie and Chesapeake Canal. We are speaking
now of sections and not of the course of individuals
in the East or in the West. 1t was therefore, we'll
said by Marcus Erwin, Esq, in the late public meet
ing in Asheville THAT he did not consider the fail
ure of our projects in the Legislature as chargea-
BILE upon any political party, but as more easily to
be accounted for the score of sectional feeling"
Still much allowance must be made for the strong
opposition which exists in the East to increased tax
alton; which opposition, as we have heretofore sta
ted, was excited and augmented by the course of
Mr.. McRae. n
/Our neighbor of the Register need not be con-
cerncd about "citizen Holden" The "citizen" is
neither anxious alarmed as to his past course on
State affairs. He suffered some in 1858 for his ad-
herence to his views on internal improvements, as
he did pecuniarily in 1s4s, when he espoused the
always looked, not to what is popular, but to what
right being content to advocate the right for the
rights sake, and knowing Furthermore that in a
government like this the right must ultimately tr-
umph The "citizen" claims to be both inhexible
and honest in his support of public measures lie
is for the Western Extension and has been. for it
under all circumstances not for popularity, not for
reward or the hope of reward, but because it is
great State measure full of promise to the West and
to the whole State If "citizen Holden" had look
ed to popularity only, he would have opposed the
Western Extension and other schemes of internal
Improvement for it is fact that those gentlemen
who have been most honored by the Democratic
of the present incumbent of the Guberna:oria chair
and Mr.. Senator Clingman,) were of those who ac-
quesced reluctantly and slowly in the policy of in
i tcrnal improvements by the State government We
State this fact in selEdeence, and with no wish to
create the slightest -feelng. 1t is not necessary
that we should particularize, every intelligent
reader will know at once to whom we refer. But
the citizen" is very fallible individual, and may
have committed errors yet he has never committed
the error of seeking to make party capital out of
terna improvements, as his neghbor of the Register
did in 1865, and as he will do again in 1860. The
"citizen" has great respect for the opinions Of the
people, and he always defers to their opinions, wheth
er expressed by themselves or by their representa-
tives But the "citizen" is one of the people him.
self; and while he will never attempt to make his
opinions in State affairs test of party fealty
so he will not permit others to make similar test
for him.
Having analysed the vote of the Commons, We
tern Extension, if We could put our hand on it con-
veniently. Wemay do so hereafter. 1t is sufficient
to state, however that the votes in the Senate or
the subj ect were very similar to those in the Com
mons.
We conclude with the following summary of Mr.
Williamss remarks in the Commons, pending tht
vote on his bill above referred to- No Wing OF
Know Nothing east Of Greensborough, uttered suct
sentiments as these during the session.
"Mr Williams, of Caswell, thought the Legisla
ture ought to do something for Western North Car
olina. The faith of the State is pledged for foul
millions, and the East could not repudate the con
tract He trusted the sectional feeling would sub
side and let all harmonze together. He did not lk,
the BILL but would do his best to reconcile all differ
ences. Though he was refused all he asked for
still he ready to do justice to all parties and t.
help to pursue course which would render tn,
State great and happy. lie called upon his Easter
friends to come forward and penetrate those noun
tains which prevented the rich products Of the val
ley of the Mississippi from reaching the ports o
North Carolina. He advised them to quit quarrel
ing, and again appealed to his Eastern friends to &C