Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1859-07-13
For the Standard.
FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

GATES COUNTY, N. c., July 6, 1859.
MEssRs ED1roRs DR.. Shaw and Mr.: Smith, can
didates for Congress in the first district met at New
Hone in this county, on the 28th of June. do
not design reporting the discussion in extenso.-
Your space would not allow it. Mr. Smith opened
the discussion, and spoke for one hour. He began
and devoted nearly all of his time in assaing and
denouncing the venerable and beloved President.
He denounced the Democratic party, and proceeded
to read from some pamphlets he had along to show
that the party under the leadership Of Mr. Buchan-
an, was nothing mole nor less than set Of pecula-
tors and robbers. Mr.. Smith waxcd hot on the
subject have no inclination to go into detail OF
the microscopic offences the party has committed
against Mr.. Smith, but ono. upon which he harped
with apparent giiso, was, That President had ap-
pointed somewhere Coal Agent, and that he had
proved to be miserable scamp and for this amongst
some other offences Of if possible, less magnitude,
he berated the Democracy. Overlooking the great
question affecting the rights of the South, Mr..
Smith descended into minute analysis of the petty
officers of the country, and showed to his own sat
isfaciion, that there were many bad men in Office.
We were disappointed in Mr. Smith We expected
to have heard an able and statesmanke effort from
the gentleman. We expected to have heard him
laud Mr. Buchanan for his fidelity and devotion to
the constitution, and constitutional rights of the
South But alas! how disappointed. l am con-
strained to ask him: How any Southern man
assail the administration? Mr.. Smith ought to
know-every reading man ought to know, that the
Democratic party headed by Mr.. Buchanan, has
stood up for and defended the South and her rights
against the Abolitionists of the North. He ought
to know that outside Of the Democracy at the
North, the South has few friends-that the North
ern wing Of his party is swallowed up into black
RepublicaEism, aud that if his Southern "Opposi-
ton" as they term T. refuse to act with the Demo-
cracy they must link with the black Republicans.
He ought to know that Seward Greedy ct III onne
genus have for years been denouncing land are
now doing SOY the Democracy as being the peculiar
friends of the South. He ought to know that, time
and again. they have characterized it the "slavc
power"-the "slavedriving Democracy" and the
ike-all showing that they themselves look upon it
as an enemy to the REASONABLE designs of their
party.
The abolitionists of the North know very well
that the Democracy stand between them and the &C
complshment of their object and hence all of their
energies are brought to bear to defeat and destroy
it These things are we'll known. Isitn not strange,
then, that any Southern man should give laid and
comfort" to the black Republicans by seeking to d.
vide the South, rs Mr.. Smith is now doings
Believe me, if you WILL DR.. Shaw replied to Mr..
Smith, and defended the President and the Demo-
cratic party in one of the most mastery efforts Of
his life We have rarely heard his equal think
the most ardent friends of Mr. Smith must admit
that Dr. Shaw triumphed, and placed his clever op.
ponent hors du combat. And how could it have
been otherwise? Mr. Smith is the candidate of q
party destitute, not only of principles, but
name!
Mr.. Smith had nothing to say in regard to the
course ne intended to pursue if elected If elected
he will not act with the Democracy. That is Ger.
tain. He could not do so and be consistent He
will, then, be compelled to act with the black Re.
publicans or alone-(for he will have but few com
panions in Congress of his peculiar oppostionsm"
In either case he will weaken the South We an
pea! to the good and true of the First District
is it not better for the South to present an unbrokcr
front in Congress? Is it not better to have South
ern men there who will stand shoulder to shoulde,
in defence Of Southern rights? Dr. Shaw has beer
tried and has proven faithful He will not act ethe,
directly or otherwise with the abolitionists. II,
will not cheer the Infides of the North by cvadins
the issue. Thanks to the Democracy of the glorious
old First, his prospects were never better The,
will rally to him with renewed zeal, and Dr. Shaw
will 60 back to Washington despite the declaration
Of the Magnus Apollo of the Winton Convention tt
the contrary notwithstanding Magnus predicted
Shaw's defeat The gentleman's prediction will no
be verified. Shaw is daily gaining and he Is to.da,
stronger than he ever was. Mr.. Smith is a high
toned honorable gentleman, but he is afflicted Will
unfortunate politics, and standing where he does hi
hopes will be crushed. Mark the prediction.