Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-05-30
ELISHA G. JOHNSON.
HERTFoRp. NC April DIST 1860.

My DEAR SIR Your letter OF April 9TH address
ed to me- asking for information as to the truth Of
certain facts of political nature growing out Of the
controversy between Mr.. John Pooh the present
candidate for gubernatorial honors, and myself du-
ring the time that We were the candidates of
respective parties for seat in the Senate of the
Legislature of this State not received, because
Of my absence on professional engagements, until
within the last few days.
NV own Court has been in session this week, and
my business engagements have been such that /
could not answer so promptly your pressing enqui-
ries as otherwise would have done; and now avail
myself of this opportunity to express the regret
that could not reply to your kind letter at an ear
lIer date.
You say: ave have understood that Mr. John
Pool when candidate for seat in the State Senate
in opposition to you, argued before the people Of
your district that you were uRuOrthy Of Eastern
support, because you had voted, whilst member Of
the House of Commons, for the Western Extension
of the n. c. Railroad the erection of new Counties,
and other measures calculated to build up the State
and develope the resources of growing and prosper
people" and you inquire to know such was the
fact You further add 1--WE would also like to
know, judging from his past life, his political ante
cedents to what extent in the event of his elevation
to the present position to which he aspres, he
would be likely to cooperate, IN good faith with
the Legislature, in giving force to such acts would
encourage to completion, and foster into existence
the very road which you assisted in chartering, and
for which he bitterly arragned you at the bar Of
public opinion"
To the first interrogatory answer: Mr. Pool tods
and undertake to say, still is the uncompromising
foe Of the Western Extension, and in the canvass
alluded to, bitterly opposed my election upon the
ground that had voted for the Western Extension
Of the N. c. Railroad, Allegheny county, and other
measures which had for their object the development
of the resources of the State and particularly those
measures which had in view the improvement of the
mountain region. He declared time and again on
the stump that he would never support, if elected
any measure which in its nature would benefit the
mountain region of this State, which required an
appropriation Of the public monies. He also urged
that the West was exorbitant in her demands, and
ridculed the idea that any man in the Eastern sec
ton should so far forget his own home to vote
for q Western measure; and may add, his eastern
friends now glory in the fact that he never voted
for any measure to benefit the West which required
an appropriation Of one cent Of the public monies
took broader view of my duty to the State as
a member of the Legislature than Mr.. Pool avowed
he would, if elected; and when elected, did. felt
it nv duty to foster and cherish by legislative aid
inside of the means to accomplish it, the growing
interests Of growing people; and in looking back
upon my record, unsustained as | have been at
home even by many of my own party, feel proud
that lent my feeble aid to accomplish this purpose;
and hold the man who takes the narrow, selfish
view that because he may live in Pasquotank, which
has facilities of export Cherokee or Haywood has
no interest in common with the county which gave
him birth, is undeserving the support of people
whose interests he has trampled and whose cause
he has despised. To unite and bind together, in
bonds of fraterna peace the dscordant elements Of
State, and foster a system which shall make CON-
merce the handmade of agriculture, protecting alike
the interests of all crushing out by broad, nation
al platform, sectional prejudces and sectional feel
ing making the inhabitants of the extreme East feel
proud that the hardy sons of the mountains are
their brothers. having the same interest in the pros
perity of the State and in the success of her cause
ought to be the aim Of every member of our politi
cal community; but that man, be he who he may,
who seeks to array section against section and Cat
alineke arraysclass against class panderng to pre-
JUDGES, which unhappily already too widely exist
deserves not to DO cherished among those who have
lived for their country's good, =
But you further ask g In the event of Mr..
Pools election, would he Be likely to cooperate
with the Legislature IN good faith in developing
the resources of the State and particularly in ex
pedting the Completion Of the Restern extension p
answer n his past life, POLITICAL is an index o.
his future an earnest Of what he win do then it is
clear that unless be violates every pledge be has
given, every speech be has made, and gives to eve
ry act of his life an unqualified contradiction, he
cannot support and sustain any measure which may