Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-04-11
~ f'.fy 5 4 G.tssFs 's,t~ y s{ESli. IL - ,,E
Gov. Ellis and Mr.. Pool at Gatesyille. h.
GATEsy1LLE, N. G., April 4th, 1860.

=
GArrsy1lLr, N. G., April 4th, 1860
Ny Dear Standard: s,.,, 4 80
Gov. Ellis and Mr.. Pool met to-day in open dis
cussion. The subject being somewhat new, and the
position of Mr. Pool as an Eastern man somewhat
strange, perhaps novel, it attracted quite crowd to
hear what he could say in favor Of this most mon.
strous proposition Of Mr. Badgers. Gov. Ellis led
OFT IN speech Of near or quite two hours, during
which time may say he was listened to with that I
calm consideration due the importance of the occa-
Sion
L DO not propose to follow him, for am wholly
incapable Of it. in this most mastery effort Of his
The feelings he awakened, manifested by the plau-
dts OF crowded shouse-often extorting praise
from his opponents, and wrnging from them nn-
willing tribute to his unquestioned ab;lity-were
the best commentaries on the manner and the
warptk with which his speech was received. -,
After graceful, may say most happy introduc-
ton, glancng at unparalleled prosperity-ook.
ing for moment at the eminent success of our
charitable institutions fostering education there
suit of democratic policy-and of Constitution
which threw its agis alike DER the rich and the
poor, the pride and boast of people happy, con-
tented and prosperous IN arts, science,
and physical weath-he grappled at once with this
extraordinary proposition Of an Eastern man to
strike out of the Constitution the protection which
the organic act secures to "slavc property" and
leave it at the mercy of an open Convention, sway
ed ard guided by non-slavcholding majority.
And such a castigaton, excoriation I ought to
say, no man perhaps ever received at the hands of
an opponent He showed first the object and the
necessity Of this provision of the Constitution, re-
called graphically to the people the circumstances
which made it part of the organic law; that 1t
was the result Of a compromise between the East
and the West; declared that the West was willing
to stand by the compact until the East showed
disposition to violate it. He showed, too, if the
people desired the change this was not the time to
discuss it; that it was the "irrepressibe conflict
begun IN N. c. by reckless politicians, and smacked
too strongly o. Northern fanaticsm; and if all this
were not true, the manner proposed to accomplish
this change was fraught with untold evils-the re-
suit being to strip the East of all political power
that Western man, if the East desired this con-
dition of things, he for one would say the West
would not object to this voluntary surrender of her
political rights
The Governor then took up the record of his oppo-
ncntupon this point and showedhis utter inconsistent
cy. With ungloved hands, he stripped the mantle
which his Convention had thrown around him, from
his political shoulders and laid bare the trick. He
recalled the fact when as an Eastern representative
but short year ago. full Of the confidence of his
people, he entered the Senate chamber as the guar
dian of their interests He reminded him Of the
time when he modestly approached the clerks table
anu lOOh tue OdH, WHICH HIS Tequ1reu, Inc
oath to serve faithfully the people who had thus
honored him. He asked him if he had forgotten,
when under the solemnties of his then position he
voted time and again against this monstrous scheme
Five times he added, was his vote recorded against
this monstrous propositon-fve times he voted to
deieat at calorem. Five times was he recorded up
on the Senate journals as its bitter opponent Five
time he that it against the interests of his
constituents, in every conceivable shape; whether
od h rho
or Democrat, he pledged himself against the inca
sure. And now, said the Governor, blush to name
it, he has the hardhood to avow himself its champ
ion and its advocate. What, inquired the Governor,
had produced this wonderful change? What new
lights had sprung up? 1t was due to his opponent
due to his character that he should clear himself Of
this strange demma-the people demanded his own
personal integrity demanded it. When he was un-
der oath he fought manfully for the interests of his
constituents; now, now when the honors ofa Guber-
material office cleaned in the distance, Clingman's
| peak doomed up as the promised land-his new po-
litical spectaccs sent him by Mr. Badger, enabled
him to descry objects in the dstance-a people
whom he had never seen, whom he always opposed,
whether upon the stump with Mr.. Jordan or in the
Senate chamber of the State, he was the uncompro
missing foe of Western interests voting or speaking
| he was against the West.
Of all schemes, said the Governor, to amend the
! Constitution, an open Convention was the worst
! fe made an eloquent appeal to the people, to know
whether they were prepared for it. He depicted in
terms which touched the hearts of all, the evils
which threatened us at home and abroad and closed
with one of the most magnificent peroratons it was
ever my fortune to listen to, and sat down amidst
storm Of applause. Let me assure you my deal
sir, he more than sustained iils welearned reputa
ton. This speech Justly added new laurels to hi:
brow. The Opposition was evidently cowed. W.
crorcd!! Accessions were made his friends wer,
built up, and before month this district will b,
lit up in fame for Ellis. -..-
When the Governor had thus closed, Mr.. Poo
rose and coolly remarked he had been missepre
sented by his opponent, unintentionally no doubt
that he must tell them again that he was candidate
although the Governor time and again announced it
for fear they would forget it. He did not pretent
to defend an open convention, and throughout hi
speech seemed to be laboring under some menta
hallucnation He is man of ability and of vas
ingenuity, and yet commanding talents failed to sus
tain his tottering cause, and made, amongst others
one fatal admission-that the ad calorem mode Q
taxation would not increase the taxes negro pro
perty; this he uttered again and again. He ingen
ously essayed to get rid Of his votes in the Senate
but utterly failed. He never denied the charge ths
he, when upon the stump, made speeches agains
western interests, and never voted an appropriate
for q western railroad. e. z-- ......
He was pressed time and again by Gov. Eli
10 say whether he was for taxation, according t
value upon all property, whether he went for dis
elimination Here again he was num- Was poe
man to be taxed upon his tin cups as his Conventio
had declared? What determinations did he 60 for
1t was due to the people that he should unburthe
himself upon this point, but he answered not.
- The Opposition suffered much at the hands of Nj
Pool, and many, many Wings will. flee from tt
sinking wreck. Mark the prediction. The ship
sinking, and We already hear the frightfnl cry
help, or we perish. T., go -Lr,
But must close. GATES.
- Municipal Elections in Michigan. ,a