Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-04-07
Gov. Ellis and Mr.. Pool at GatesviIle.
GATEsvLLE, N. c., April 4th, 1860.

IN. C.A ~.
My Dear Standard:
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
off in speech of near quite two hours during
which time may say he was listened to with that
calm consideration due the Importance of the occa
sion.
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 a crowded householder extorting praise
from his opponents, and wringing from them un-
willing tribute to his unqueStioned ablity-were
the best commentaries on the manner and the
warmth with which his speech was received
After a graceful, may say most happy introduc-
ton, gancng at unparalleled prosperity-look-
ing for moment at the eminent ,ess of our
charitable institutions education-the re-
suit Of democratic policy-and of Constitution
which threw its 9gis alike DER the rich and. the
poor, the pride and boast of people happy,
tented and prosperous-advancing IN arts, science,
and physical wealth-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 "slave property" and
leave it at the mercy of an open Convention sway
ed and guided by non-slavehoding majority.
And such castigation, eXcOriatiOn | ought to
say, no man perhaps ever received at the hands of
an opponent. lie showed first the object and the
necessity of this provision of the Constitution
called graphically to the people the circumstances
which made it part of the organic law that 1t
was the result Of 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 "rrepressible conflict :"
begun IN n. c. by reckless politicians and smacked
too strongly o. Northern fanatcism 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-
dtion 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-
nent upon 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 lie
recalled the fact when an Eastern representative
but short year ago. full of the confidence of his
people, he entered the Senate chamber the guar
dian of their interests He reminded him of the
time when he modestly approached the clerks table
and took the OATH which his position required the
oath to serve faithfully the people who had thus
honored him. He asked him if he had forgotten,
when under the soemntieS of his then position, he
voted time and again against this monstrous srheme.
Five times he added, his vote recorded against
this monstrous proposition-five times he voted to
defeat dd UdlOrem. 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
advocated by who fought politically by his side
a Democrat, he pledged himself against the mea-
| sure And now, said the Governor, blush to name
it. he has the hardhood to himself its champ
ion and its advocate. What, inquired the Governor,
! had produced this wonderful change? What new
1 lxl,.- hol.-
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 I'M
der oath he fought manfully for the interests of his
constituents; now, now when the honors Of Guber-
material Office cleaned in the distance, Cngman'S
| peak doomed up as the promised land-his new po-
| litical spcctaces sent him by Mr.. Badger enabled
! him TO deScry objects in the diStance-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 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 the worst.
lie made an eloquent appeal to the people, to know
whether they were prepared for it. lie depicted, in
terms which touched the hearts Of ALL the evils
| which threatened at home and abroad, and closed
with of the most magnificent perorations it was
my fortune to listen to- and sat down amidst a
storm Of applause. Let me assure You, my dear
sir he more than sustained his well-earned reputa-
ton. This speech Justly added new laurels to his
brow. The Opposition was evidently cOwed We
cro,ced!! AcceSsions made; his friends were
built up, and before one month this district will be
lit up in a flame for Ellis
When the Governor had thus closed Mr. Pool
rose and cooly remarked he had been so misrepre-
scented 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 pretend
to defend an open convention, and throughout his
speech seemed to be laboring under some mental
hallucination. He is man of ability and of vast
ingenuity and yet commanding talents failed to Sus-
tain his totterng cause and made, amongst others,
one fatal admission-that the al CdtOrem mode of
taxation would not increase the taxes negro pro-
perty; this he uttered again and again. He ingeni-
ousy essayed to get rid of his votes in the Senate
but utterly failed. He denied the charge that
he, when upon the stump, made speeches against
western interests and never voted appropriation
for western railroad.
He was pressed time and again by Gov. Ellis
10 say whether he for taxation according to
value upon all property, whether he went for dis
elimination Here again he mum. Was poor
man to be taxed upon his tin cups his Convention
had dccaredg What determinations did he go for
1t was due to the people that he should unburthen
himself upon this point, but he answered not.
The Opposition suffered much at the hands of Mr..
Pool, and many, many Wings will flee from the
sinking wreck. Mark the prediction. The ship is
sinking and we already hear the frightful cry
help, or we perish.
But must close. GATES.