Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1859-03-30

C0mpo1UDS
We publish very chsssfdlly below tie esauuna-
cation Of "A Working alSa"' We might submit
some renarkA which this osumun;eatisa ssssesta,
and We might 30 into IN argument to shev the i'm
postance Of holdiag Conventioos '.in al The Dis.
ticts but We forbear to do 80 At present But Il
our correspondent o. any one else supposss TIT re
meant to assume authority in recommending that
Conventions be held in all the Districts o. that We
designed our language above quoted to apply parca-
ary to the Cape Fear District then We beg leavet to
say that our correspondent and those Who agree
with him are mistaken. We spoke Of tho whole
State-of our own District Is well q Of all others
We simply expressed the hope that Conventions
would be held a. promoters Of harmony and a. the
surest means Of concentrating Democratic strength;
and this hope We had right a. Democrat Wishing
well to the party, to express. That Is all We did
not mean Mr.: Winslow or the Cape Fear District,
any more than any other recent member Of Congress
or any other District in the State.
The propriety Of holding Conventions is matter
to be determined by the Democrats and anti.Know
Nothings Of the respective Districts. That they
will decide wisely, and that good results win flow
from their action, We do not Doubt Gentlemen who
were members Of the late Congress, who have &C.
Quilted themselves well rs SUCH and who arc dcsi-
rous Of being again returned certainly have less to
fear at the hands Of Conventions than others The
chances are obviously in their avor and We do not
know, nor do VIC believe that any one Of them would
deprecate on his own account the holding Of Con.
vention to nominate candidate But We are de-
tanning our readers from the communication referred
to, which is as follows
CAPE FEAR DISTRICT.
MEssRs. EDnoRs:
I'VE trust Conventions will be held in al the Dsr;e.s
Conventions of advantage 10 the party several re-
harmony and successful eo-opsraiiGu. Sssss,S
Yd'eh 16th, 1859.
Concerning the above it is here proposed to say
little 1t is perfectly sensible just proper and CON-
mendable for the mctropoiitanand central Democrat
c organ to feel and to manifest an interest in mat
ters pertaining to the party all the State and
it is but exercising its appropriate functions and &C.
ting within the sphere Of its legitimate jurisdiction
when it counscs, advises suggests in relation to
the district elections. While this il freely acknowl.
edged and conceded it is to be hoped the Stasiar,
will not insist upon the application Of the above
quoted suggestion to this, the Cape Fear consrcs-
sional district.
In the first place. II is contrary to the views and
],
10 hold convention except where tho last cungrrs-
s;onal incumbent has died. resigned or has chosen
to retire. This usage has been strictly adhered Ia
for many years and under il the party have has.
the honor and enjoyed the benefit Of being scrvc,l
by such good, reliable and distinguished men and
sterling Democrats Is General Mckay, Hon. wr. s.
AShc and Hon. Warren WinSlow.
You well remember that several years ago, the
question Of convention acquired considerable inn
por;ance and created no little excitcmcn, in this nc
gon; and that after all the fcclin. prcjuliccs and
iealousicS growing out Of unfricndly and heated
discussion Of it. the party refused under all the cir
cumstanccs to 60 into convention u will no doubt
occur to You that reference is had to the time whcr
Mr.. Ashc defeated Mr.. Lcakc 10 signally. Mr. AShc
| as you are aware. had been nominated BY convcn
ton in the first instance, when, after the death o
General Mckay choice to be iai'iated. lie va,
elected, and he had continued according to formci
precedent to represent US without conventional al,
for several terms another term expiring. in accor
dance with the usual custom he announced himscl
again. Immediately after which broke out the inter
| necine contest about . convention. Some dis<atis
faction had been previously nurturcd, but pent III
in the breasts Of portions small number Of tn
party, and they only awaited this event to give !
vent and the appearance Of force and charactcs
The circumstance acquired more publicity. from tn
fact that one Of the Democratic papers Of the ds,rie
changed editors and policy during the time, tn
name Of Mr. Ashe from the head Of the editorial col
umn, as candidate for Congress- and the Substitution
of that Of Mr.. Leakc Of Richmond county, But q
stated no convention was held Mr.. Lcake consent
ing meanwhile to run an independent canlitlat,
The truth was that although the opposition to VI
Ashe was, so far rs it went fierce and determines
yet there was no tangible objection to him; or
there was, it never made itself manifest in audib
words nor in open charges. The whole argumcr
and animus of the oDD0Sition were in 1o,d tones-i
major key" opposed to Bill Ashc !" and in rafA,
weak and tremulous acccnts-minor key" in favs
Of Leake." Now this previous instance has not bee
adduccd to "adom tale" but to point moral
that convention is not at this juncturc any moi
necessary than then.
Underlying Mr. Winslow's general and Aattcrir
popularity, there is weak current Of opposition
but like that to Mr.. Ashe, it would be unable, cv,
If convention werc held IN assume the consistens
form Of a respectfully sized objection. Whcrcfor
then, a convention. Mr.. W. has once bccn Il
choice Of delegates from the people in assembly co
vened he has served ably, faithfully and diigcntl
sustaining his own and the previous reputation
his district in Congress. lie is in every ncccssa
literary requirement, scholar, by instinct, and
every social requirement, gentleman; and in cvc
requisite political qualification, statesman vi
serve another term in Congress. Under these c
cumstances it would bc contrary to all usage n
precedent hcrcabouts, not to reflect him, and qu
| repugnant to all our usual notions OF courtesy,
visit upon him the ccnsurc Of distr,ist implied
holding convention.
Respectfully,
- A WORKING NAN.
Dup!in, N. c., March goth, 1859.
: FAYETTEVILLE CoALYIELps RoAp.-we learn IN
the Fayetteville papers that the stockholders Of