Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-07-04

perouSy progreSSAS to completion.
I have been thus minute in order that justice
might be deTe others, while claiming it for myself
While in the extracts given and the train Of argu-
uent referred TO- it will clearly appear that language
used by nc, am. which language have not ut any
time druied. c.roncousy applied by the report
ess TO the Wcst" it will at the same time appear
how mIsr,A e of the kind might be made without
any susr Ion Of an intention to msrepresenl
The rule laid down by Mr.. Foster that dliler-
encc AS to the statement in a report presents an
ISSUE of reracity" between the persons entertain
ing such differences is indeed loose one anu one
that would operate quite as hardly upon Reporters
themselves as upon other personS-and we heeu hot
travel far to show this .u-. 49,.
Mr. Fosters report OF my uales'iiie speeo"' 'o'''
tains the following language:
"a TIE main nuTpose of his visit was to explain
Tho nr;ncples and policy of the Democratic party.
His opponent Mr.. Pool between whom and himself
no difference upon national politics existed, yet
stood widely asunder from him on geeat question
of State policy"
following: "He said there point of personal
difference between him and his competitor, but
wide difference on State and Federal affairs" Now
either Mr. Foster or Mr. Garner is in error. Their
reports in this particular at points. Both can
not be accurate Now if Mr. Garner insists on the
accuracy Of his own report and denies that OF Mr..
Foster then according to Mr.. Fosters own rule, an
issue of veracity would be raised between them.
Now if Mr.. Garner were to call me to give
evidence upon this Issue, | would he compelled to
say that his report upon this point was correct anu
Mr.. Fosters was erroneous, and | have no doubt
every one else who heard us would concur IN this
evidence.
This little instance occurring in the same debate,
shows very clearly that reporters themselves are
not nallible and that they too, need little OF that
charity which should be extended to other men
Every one knows the circumstances under which
reports are made in this State. None OF them are
full, and many Of the most accurate contain errors.
The discussions between Mr. Pool and myself occupy
about four hours and if published in full would ill
some ten columns Of the largest newspaper IN the
State. Now have not yet seen report that hled
more than about three columns, so that more than
two-thirts Of our speeches not reported at all
The comments of the Opposition papers upon the
reports of my speech, leave to pass for what they
are worth. | know they have been circulated eN-
tcnsveiy in the West for the purpose Of prcjudcing
me with a people in whose cause have been labor
ing for the past sixteen years, having raised my
voice in their behalf during my first session in the
Legislature in lS44-rnd having at no period from
that time to this RENTED my exertonS to promote
their interests And this was done too, while some
of those who are now holding Inc up as derelict to
Western interests were speaking and voting directly
against those interests. But two years ago, some
of the most prominent papers Of the Opposition,
were dealing heavy blows upon the cause of West
ern interests, while |, upon every stump from the
ocean to the mountains, was battling in behalf Of
those interests.
Everywhere my best ability employed to
convince people of the Importance Of completing
our Western railroads speedily practicable,
and that it practicable and consistent with the
best interests of the State to complete them speed
ilv as the work could be accomplished. | was Of
ten compelled i'm this labor to meet excited preiu
dces existing in the minds of some of our best cti-
zens at the risk too of mourning their dsPeasure
We: met them boldly, openly and without equivo-
cation reserve.
But of all the obstacles that presented themselves,
none were obstinate certain leading Opposition
papers, that week after week teerred with exaggera
ted statements and figures Of the cost Of these works
calculated to -ighten the people from their support
And if the people of the West have any one to
blame now for not obtaining such aid for their pub
lie works at the last session of the Legislature
they desired | know of none upon whom that
blame could with propriety be visited than up
on these same papers.
These things the people Of the West we'll remem-
Der. They know who their true and consistent
friends are and perfectly willing to abide their
decision without fear Of the result And | feel
very too, that they will arrive at the conclu-
sion, that any action by public men calculated to
excite sectional jealousies, will not tend to advance
their interests.
know of no cause more directly calculated to re-
tard if not materially to obstruct the progress of
public works in the West, than a sectional conro-
versy between the East and the West upon the sub.
ject Of amending the Constitution proposed BY
the Opposition.
In no instance of my life have felt that occupi-
cd position Of truer devotion to these works than
the position ] now occupy upon the question Of
amending our State Constitution aud adopting the
system of dd rdl0rem taxation. These works are
needed at once. Our Western connexions should
be made without delay, in order to give life to the
capital already invested and that the resources of
the country itself may be developed This is being
done and can be accomplished at al early day, un-
der the present order of things. Let us not hy
from certainty to uncertainty The interests now
involved in Western improvements are too great and
too varied to be subjected TO dangerous experiments
We are progressing surely and certainly with these
works, and they will continue to progress surely
and certainly to completion unless their friends arc
tempted to engage in political experiments upon
our social system, the results of which, to say the
least, rest in doubt and uncertainty.
must apologize for having occupied so much of
your space What | have said | deem necessary
under the circumstances. hope to visit all of the
Western Counties soon. Indeed shall make it
point to do desire to meet the people, to whose
interests have been represented as being recrcant
jim orier that they may have opportunity of &C.
termning, with all the light before them, who their
true friends are.
Respectfully, &c,
JOHN W. ELLIS
Raleigh, June 18th, 1860