Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-03-30
CAPE FEAR DISTRICT. #

ave Conventions will be held in all the Districts
Conventions of advantage the party in several
specs, while in some Districts they are indispensable to
harmony and successful cooperation "-RaLe Standard
Uarch 18TH, 1859.
Concerning the above it is here proposed to say
little 1t is perfectly sensible just proper and COM
mendable for the metropolitan and central Democrat
ic organ to feel and to manifest interest in mat
tiers pertaining to the party all the State and
it is but exercising its appropriate functions and ac-
ting within the sphere of its legitimate jurisdiction
when it counses advises suggests in relation to
the district elections. While this is freely acknowl-
edged and conceded it is to be hoped the Standard
will not insist upon the application of the above
quoted suggestion to this, the Cape Fear congress
siOnal district
In the first place. it is contrary to the views and
the usage of the Democratic party in this district
to hold convention except where the last congress
sional incumbent has died resigned or has chosen
to retire. This usage has been strictly adhered to
for many years and under it the party have had
by such good, reliable and distinguished men and
sterling Democrats as General Mckay, Hon. Wn. S.
Ashe and Hon. Warren Winslow.
You we'll remember that several years ago, the
question of convention acquired considerable i'm
porance and created little excitement in this re-
| gon; and that after all the feeling, prejudces and
ealousies growing out of an uniriendly and heated
vi TIC uDQeT all tuc CIT
cumstances to 60 into convention. 1T will doubt
scur to you that reference is had to the time when
Mr.. Ashe defeated Mr.. Leake so signay. Mr. Ashe,
as you are aware, had been nominated by a conven-
ton in the first instance when after the death Of
| General Mckay choice was to be initiated. He was
elected, and he had continued according to former
precedent to represent US without conventional aid
for several terms; another term expiring in accor.
dance with the usual custom he announced himself
again. Immediately after which broke out the inter
necine contest about convention. Some dissatis
faction had been previously nurtured, but pent up
in the breasts of portion-a small number of the
party, and they only awaited this event to give il
vent and the appearance of force and character
The circumstance acquired more publicity, from the
fact that of the Democratic papers Of the district
changed editors and policy during the time the
consequence of which was the hauling down the
name of Mr. Ashe from the head of the editorial col
umn candidate for Congress- and the substitution
of that of Mr. Leake of Richmond county. But as
stated, no convention was held, Mr.. Leake consent
ing meanwhile to run as an independent candidate
The truth was that although the opposition to Mr.
Ashe was, so far as it went, fierce and determined
yet there was no tangible objection to him or j
words nor in open charges. The whole argument
and animus of the opposition in loud tones-ir
a major key" opposed to Bill Ashe;" and in rathe
weak and tremuous accents-minor key" in favo
of Leake." Now this previous instance has not beer
adduced to "adorn tale" but to "point moral
that convention is not at this ,iuncture any NOR
necessary than then
Underlying Mr.. Winslow's general and fatterin.
popularity, there is a weak current of opposition
but like that to Mr.. Ashe it would be unable, evel
if convention were held to assume the consistenc,
or form of respectfully sized objection. Wherefore
then a convention? Mr.. w. has once been tn
choice of delegates from the people in assembly con
vened; he has served ably faithfully and diligently
I sustaining his own and the previous reputation q
his district in Congress. He is in every necessar,
literary requirement scholar, by instinct and il
every social requirement a gentleman and in ever.
requisite political qualification statesman; will
such record he announces himself as willing t.
serve another term in Congress- Under these cir
cumstances it would be contrary to all usage ant
precedent hereabouts, not to re-elect him, and quit
rcpugnant to all our usual notions of courtesy, t
visit upon him the censure of distrust implied il
holding convention.
Respectfully,
A WORKING MAN.
Duplin, N G., March Goth, 1859. &c..