Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-04-13
April 9, 1859.
from the Giraffe.

A very large portion of the Democrats of Wake
assembled in the town Hail. in this city, on Monday
the 18th inst, when on motion Of j. X. Marriott
Esq, G. B. Allen Esq, was chosen President, and
r. H. Whitaker, Esq, Secretary. The President
briefly stated the object of the meeting to be to ap
point delegates to district convention, for the pur-
pose Of nominating a candidate to represent the
fourth Congressional District in the next House of
Representatives,
On motion committee was appointed consisting
of Messrs. Q. Busbee, w. r. Cox and a. Turner, to
draft resolutions and prepare business for the action
of the Meeting
During the absence of the committee, George W.
Brooks, ESQ.,, moved, that as there was no business
before the meeting, committee be appointed to wait
on the Hon. Mr.. Branch and invite him to address
his fellow citizens. F. |. Wilson, Esq, objected
He thought it would be time enough to invite Mr.
Branch to speak after the business of the meeting
had been finished
Capt DeCarteret moved to amend the motion of
Mr.. Brooks, by suggesting the hour of three o'clock
for Mr.. Branchs address.
Mr. Cantwell was in favor of the original motion.
He thought it due Mr.. Branch and due his fellow
citizens, Also that he be allowed to come before the
meeting and render an account of his stewardship.
He saw no reason why the meeting should not ex-
tend such courtesy to one who, in his brief con-
gressonal career, had reflected much credit upon
his constituents and rendered himself deservedly
popular with the Administration and with the best
men Of the nation.
Mr. Blcdsoe moved to amend Capt DcCarterets
motion by suggesting that Mr.. Branch be invited to
address the meeting Immediately after the business
had Been finished. He did not do so because he was
opposed to Mr. Branch or opposed to his addressing
his fellow citizens. He did because he wished to
afford Mr.. Branch more time.
Nj. Cantwell opposed the motion.
Mr.. Wilson insisted on Mr.. Bledsoe's motion, and
thought that if the courtesy of addressing the meet
ing be extended to Mr.. Branch it ought Also to be
extended to every other aspirant for the nomination
He thought the primary object the meeting should
first be carried out then hear the speeches of aspi
rants.
Mr. Cantwell wished to know who was the "other
aspirants?'
Mr. A. NJ Lewis could see no reason why Mr..
Branch should not be invited in at once. Court had
adjourned only to o'clock, and many would be
obliged to leave at that time, who would like to hear
him speak
Mr. Brooks thought at first, that he would &C.
cept Mr.. Bledsoes amendment but, upon reflection
he was of the opinion that it would impair the COM
pliment intended in his original motion; SUCH he
felt bound to oppose it.
Mr. Wilson wished to enquire whether it was
Democratic or Branch meeting. If it were the for
mcr then the business of the Democratic party
should be attended to first; if it were the latter,
why, then, he thought it would be well enough to
give way for Mr. Branch.
Amid this running debate the Committee on reso-
lutions returned and reported through Mr.. Busbce
the following preamble and resolutions:
WHEREAS, The national Democratic party is the
only political organization that preserved in its in
tegrity and purity, secure to us those nestma-
BILE blessings of superior form of government that
was transmitted to US by our ancestors; therefore,
be it
Resolred 1st Thai we reaffirm our adherence to
those time-honored principles which adopted in
our Conventions and laid down in platforms, de-
claring that this government being one of limited
and defined powers, authority should be exercised
but such as is specifically set forth in the Constitr-
ton.
RESOLVED 2nd That we are opposed to all class leg
isation and that laws should be so framed to Sc
cure the greatest amount of good to the greatest
number.
Resolved 3rd, That we are opposed to any Tariff,
except for revenue and consider that no more reve
nue. should be raised than is necessary together with
the proceeds arising from the public lands, for an
economical administration of the government and
that, in assessing the revenue duties should be i'm
posed on uxurcs, and neccssaries far practical
Bile, be exempted
Resolced 18th, That this government has no power
to carry on general system of internal improve
of the sales-of the public lands among the same.
Resotred 9TH, That we agree with the leading
measures of the administration of James Buchanan !;
and having an abiding confidence in his eminent
ability and answering integrity, and viewing him
as the great bulwark between Constitutional liberty
on the hand and fanaticsm on the other, do ex-
tend to him our cordial and united support.
Resoloed 9Th, That we regard the acquisition of
Cuba eminently DESTROYS for our peace and pros
and WV Nuld hail yrysft x1n ~
lawful acquisition Of the same and being the key
to our gulf trade, we can consent to its being
colonized as St. Domingo or transferred from its
present proprietorship to any other European pow
er, but would sooner resort to the hazards of war;
Resoired 7th, That the course of our esteemed
townsman, the Hon. L. OBJ. Branch, during his re-
cent term of service in the House of Representatives
meets our approval. And should it accord with the
views of the delegates to the proposed Convention
again to place his name before us as our standard
bearer, we will rally to his support with renewed
pleasure.
Resotred 9Th, That we recommend Raleigh as the
most proper, as being the most accessible point to
hold said Convention and that the 2Sth day of
April, present, be appointed for its organization
Resotred 9th, That the Chairman appoint fifty
Delegates to said Convention.
The resolutions having been read Mr. Marriott
moved that the vote be taken upon them as whole.
Col. Thos G. Whitaker thought the resolutions
very good and he was willing to vote for them as
whole; yet he thought that the resolution relating
to our able representative the Hon. L. OBJ Branch.
was not quite as strong it should be- not quite as
cordial in its tone of approval He thought this
meeting should not only endorse the past course Of
Mr. Branch but instruct its delegates to vote for his
denomination in the District Convention. He also
suggested that the resolution be SO amended as to
read ''our esteemed fellow-citzen' instead of fell
Io0 t'onsn'an," as reported by the committee. The
committee consented to the last proposition
Mr.. Busbee thought the resolution was expressive
enough. 1t endorsed the past course of Mr. b. and
promised him hearty support in case he again re
ceived the nomination
Mr. Lewis did not think So He thought the del
egates ought to be instructed to 60 for Mr. Branch
as the first choice of this meeting
Mr. Cantwell offered the following amendment t.
the 9TH resolution:
And while we will chcrfully support the nomi
nee Of said convention, we declare the Hon L. Oh
Branch to be our first choice, and that our delegate
be instructed accordingly"