Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-06-06
wAsH1sero osT coR HE
WAsH1NoroN (,try Lime I. 1850


drawn by curiosity to see and hear what was done.
The most active and prominent managers of this
demonstration were B. B. French and a Mr.. Ger
hardt The first named gentleman held the posi-
ton of Commissioner of Public Buildings under
President Pierce, and during the DAYS when Know
Nothingism was in the ascendancy here he attached
himself to that proscrptves party. This reached
the ears of the President who at once called the
Commissioner to account A denial of any past
or present connection with the order was made by
Mr. French, and persisted in until confirmation
strong as holy writ" was adduced, proving Mr..
French guilty of wiful falsehood When denial
useless he resorted to entreates to be retained
and even sought, it is affirmed to move the Pres
dent to clemency by copious showers Of penitentia
tears. But the President was firm, and at once
moved the gentleman from office. Disowned and
spurned by his former party -associates, and de-
nounced and despised by his Know Nothing friends
he soughed off into the Republican camp, the rem
devious of all those who prove dsloyal and treach
erous to the decent political parties Of the country
This is the man who oficates as the high priest in
the Republican church here; who prepared and
read the resolutions adopted by this ratification
meeting. and who, in a villainously poor speech, de-
nounced the Democratic party as dishonest and
rupt. Mr. Gerhardt-French's bottle holders a
burly German, who understands beer better than
politics. He is the keeper of a rum kennel where
he dispenses lager beer and Swetzer Kase pretzels
and Holland herrings. Notwithstanding his igno-
HIM on their National Executive Committee and he
now holds nightly councils with his Teuton breth-
rem, when the healthfuness of lager as tonic and
the beauties of republicanism as fixed "institu-
ton" are discussed in the most approved style of
German gutteral grunting. Gerhardt is to operate
in directing the preparation and mailing of lying
documents to be sent among the German popula-
tion and better selection conld hardly have been
made. These two men were the head and front Of
the grand demonstration. Senator Doolittle-what
an appropriate name-ed off in Grafton euogistc
Of repubcanism and the nominees of the Chicago
Convention. There was nothing remarkable in this
display, except the immensely of words and paucity
of ideas. He was followed by the restless little
WaShburn, of Maine, who ranted for about half an
hour in the most orthodox camp-meeting style.
He dropped few tears on the political grave of
Seward, and then burst forth into extravagant
panegyric Of Hamlin. II this gentleman possesses
all the purity of character and political honesty
which Washburn declares he does he is entirely too
good for this world and it is decidedly wrong to
seek elevating him to post where his moral and
political cleanliness may be defiled. Of Lincoln, he
spoke in enthusiastic terms, claiming the sufrages
of the people for him mainly on the ground that he
was "a rail splitter" 1t appears from the remarks
Of WaShburn. and others who followed him, that
"fence rails" in this campaign are to answer the
same purposes of humbuggery that the mule soup
Of Fremont did in 1856. Great stress is laid upon
the fact that old Abe, assisted by John Shanks,
of rail splitting, and in doing, it would SEEM he
established claim to the Presidential chair. This
is the republican view, but they not very con-
sstent or at all disposed to mete out even-handed
Justice 1t shame and outrage to nominate
Hamlin for Vice President while John Shanks,
Abe's partner in toll is still alive and kicking.
Stewards reputation is but as drop in the ocean
compared to this gross wrong done to Shanks. If
Abe split rails did Shanks by his side; if this is
Abe's best recommendation for the Presidency, why
should it not also be Shanks' for the next highest
office? Shanks modesty has been his ruin. Per-
haps, however, he may yet turn up Governor or
member of Congress- doubtful compensation for
his loss.
Wade of Ohio, Wilson of Massachusetts,, Grow
of Penn, and others, addressed the meeting The
campaign is fairly opened on the Republican
side. Thousands Of documents daily being sent
from here to the States North and West; speakers
are drafted from the halls of Congress and sent to
the different cities to address the people, and every
scheme that ingenuity devise, and unfagging
energy and perseverance can carry out, is resorted
to by these sectional partizans to achieve success
in the present contest. The tireless zeal and en-
thusiasm of these demagogues-their oneness of
purpose-their alacry to lay aside personal prefer
ences and the absence of all exhibition of spirit
of discomfort present an example which the DEM
ocratic party had best follow.
Men of the North and men of the South must
agree, for the common good to make some sacrifices
A
held in allegiance until this critical period has been
safely passed. And / am here reminded of the
mastery letter addressed by Mr. Branch, of the
Raleigh district to his constituents 1t is q calm
dspasSionate paper earnest, logical and convincing
Without taking sides in the unfortunate controversy
so fiercely raging in the Democratic party, he
counsels adherence to the compromises OF the past
deprecating the rehelious and discontinued feeling
which has Of late crept into the party. 1t would
be we'll to place that letter in the hand of every
North Carolinian. The Printing Committee in the
Senate have made majority and minority reports in
reference to abuses and cOrruptions The majority
report is very severe on Wendell declaring that he
was rash and reckless in giving testimony repeat
edly contradictng himself; that the instances in
which corruption could be clearly traced was alone
where Wendell had entered into schemes with par.
ties who had connection whatever, directly or
indirectly, with the Executive, and that there was
no evidence showing that Mr.. Buchanan was privy
to any such transactions
In connection with this, will mention that on
Yesterday the House passed a resolution by vote
of two to one, to establish government printing
office. 1t is not improbable that the Senate will
concur in this action. During the consideration of
the resolution in the House, Mr.. Pryor. of Virginia,
arraigned the President for winking at corruption,
and declared he could sustain his charge. Mr..
Pryor is rather a slippery Democrat. HIS course
in Congress has been as unwise erratic. He ap-
peared here intellectual meteor, blazing momen-
tarily, athwart the political skies, dartng hlther
and thither in mad, freaky spirit until the light
burned out and the fixed steady stars were again
left the true unfaiiing guides. The two Houses are
laboring hard to get through the necessary legsla-
ton by the 18th of June, but have no idea the
Senate will be able to do so, as much time has been
consumed in discussions which occupied the hours
that should have been devoted to business. The
House has made rapid progress A conference COM
mittee is now engaged in endeavors to modify or
amend the Homestead Bill, so to make it accepta-
BILE to majority of the Senate and House Moth
ing will be done with it this session. The bill for
the admission of Kansas is now before the Senate
1t is now under discussion, and this too, will be
turned over to the next session. The Pacific Rail-
road bill eectuay killed for this session at least
On Tues,iav last Cant Donrlas Gordon Scott of