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

Really the Democratic party of North Carolina in
particular and of the o. States generally must be sui
ferng with of prosperity since it appears SO
anxious to borrow or make trouble for ITSELF 1t must
have too few enemies to fight since it seems determined
to have quarres between its own members 1t has not
a sufficient number of issues actually forced upon it by
party of the other part" but it is compelled to swell
the list by making eigned issues to divide and distract
its own organization How far this may be the result OF
personal ambition devotion to men rather than princ
PIES or to whatever other it is to be attributed is
more than we can say-the fact unfortunately, is
The difficulty might be greatly essened, if not wholly
obviated by camer and respectful regard being
had to each others opinions by conductors of the
and other public members of the Democratic party
The disposition to dctate-the tendency to make issues
is evidently too great and hardly be regarded as
mark of good taste or sound judgment.
We have been led into this train of reflection mainly
by happening to pick up pamphlet which happened to
lie upon our table, said pamphlet being the report from
the House Committee Foreign Affairs, submitted by
Mr. Branch on the Oath January, 1859. Its subject is
the unadused differences with SPAIN and it is intended
to accompany House Bill No. 678.
House Bill CTS is a very short bill indeed 1t places
in the hands of the President of the United States
million of dollars to be used by him to facilitate negotia
tons with Spain for the cesson of the Island of Cuba
he having authority to such money after the ratif
cation by spain, of treaty for such purpose, but in adj
vance of the ratification of such treaty by the Senate Of
the United States.
Mr.. Branchs report argues the question of the ac-
QUESTION of Cuba reviews the different arguments for
and against i-inssts upon its necessity and returns
the bill to the House amended by the substitution of
thirty millions for one million wherever the lat
ter occurs.
Now Democrats may honestly agree with Mr.. Branch
and the Committee, in regard to the policy of acquiring
Cuba, without endorsing the mode presented in their
bill. This Mr.. Branch knows. We do not know that
we fully agree with the BILL and we do not therefore
think ourselves any the less Democrats neither do
suppose that Mr.. Branch does. But while claiming
this right of private Judgment for ourselves we cheerful
y accord the free exercise of the right to others
This is not "side-issue" 1t is not an issue at ALL A
sde-issue, we understand it, is an attempted issue
upon matter over which member of Congress could
have no influence, for instance the Danve connec
ton would be sdessue in the fifth district because
Congressman could not vote act upon in any way
Other things might be sidessues in other districts but
this thirty million BILL if issue at ALL is direct one
because the one upon which the Congressman
! is to vote and act.
But it is a matter in respect to which the party has
drawn no line-made no test. The Convention which
nominated MIR. Branch did not elevate it into test by
embodying it in the resolutions adopted The Conven
ton did not make any issue against it, for Mr. Branch
was re nominated. Why, then, should an embttered
feeling grow up between Democrats based upon this ??
Mr.. Branch himself cannot desire it. It can do no good
it may do much harm.
We trust that these remarks Of may not be at
ribued to intermeddng spirit. We can but regret
that any but the most cordial feeling should be allowed
to exist between Democrats, but we know that out
side interference never works we'll.
We shall say our say tomorrow the subject o.
the thirty million bill, for that is open question o.
policy. We trust we shall be respectful to all and
reason-not simply affirm.