The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-07-08


word should be spoken against him, while Mr. John
ston is being assaied week after week 1t is little
curious (but not surprising us) that of Mr..
Vances sensitive friends did speak out when Mr
Johnston was assaulted long before Mr. Vance's name
was mentioned. He frequently attacked by the
! friends of Mr. Vance, but You could hear word of
condemnation from certain persons who now support
Mr. Vance. Such hypocrisy is disgusting but not at
all surprising those who understand the tricks OF
politicians We quoted last week some articles from
the Raleigh Standard of 1852 showing how that paper
abused Mr. Vance then, but the Standrd is engaged
in clarifying him and abusing those who oppose him.
We have neveR abused sir Vance, but our opinion
about him has undergone change; we always
looked upon him schemng politician, and we tell
the people that he has been politician and an Office
seeker since he the years OF manhood
If this is considered abuse, let his friends make the
most OF it. We have time and again urged the people
drop the regular seeking politicians, and try
good business men. All agreed that that was the
right of talk that the country had been ruined
by politicians but now, when they have opportu-
nifty of showing their principles by their works,
Mr. Vances old political friends back out, and have
determined to support him in preference to able
bu siness man. and some for the want of better
cuse give as reason for their inconsistency, that
! Mr. Vance has been abused and badly treated.
The fact is some of the supporters of Vance
still under the influence of old party preudices They
don t like Mr. johnston because he joined
Rights party early they think; but not being
bold enough give that a for their oppos-
tOn they complain that somebody has abused Mr.
Vance treated him badly 1t is that he has
been abused by any since Standard quit abus-
| ing him. 1t time ago arranged by caucus
of politicians in Raleigh that Mr. Vance was TO be a
candidate because it was supposed that he could
catch the of the soldiers And repeat if ex-
posing and denOuncing political schcming and wire
working is considered abuse, his friends may make
the most of it.
We arc not opposed to Mr. Vance because he be-
longcd to the Wing party, but cause conf
dent he is competent for the office of Governor
as Mr. Johnston. Mr. Johnston was a Whig-we do
believe he voted Democratic ticket in his
life previous to the commencement of the war-but
when the signs indicated Enthusiastically that there
must be division of TIE Union he buried old party
feeling and took his stand with the South or, some
prefer to have it, with the Southern Rights party.
Past and present occurrences show he did right. |
Now, contend that Mr. Johnston ought have been
acceptable both the old pares-to the Wing party
because he had always been Wing; to the Demo- |
cratic party because he Invested himself of party feel
ing and acted he thought the interests of his
coun try demanded. And claim that in supporting |
Mr. Johnston show that not influenced By party
pruices because he never belonged to the party with
which we acted. II we were supporting old demo- |
crat might be accused of being influenced by party
feeling with some snow OF prOprlety, out as we not
doing So ask readers if the accusation does not
appear, only improbable, but without the least
foundation in truth!
When Mr. Johnston's name first mentioned, it |
favoraby received throughout the State. Every
newspaper Of both the old parties that alluded to the
subject except the Raleigh Standard spoke of him in
favorable But the Standard determined to
have a contest objected to Mr. Johnston gave as a |
for its opposition that he joined the 'seccs-
sionsts" too early-and the editor of that paper
manHuyred about until it got Mr. Vance as a candi-
date. And regret to find that of the members
of the old Wing party are cooperating with the
Standard and following in the wake of paper that in
1859 and at other times accused Mr. Vance of CO.
operating with the Black Republicans
In view of all these things, say that we nor none
of Mr. JOhnstons friends to blame for the present
contest that did everything that fair to avoid
it; and we further say that the charge that we are
abusing Mr. Vance is without foundation. If our ex-
posure of the schemes adopted by certain politicians
with Mr. Vances consent, divide the people Of the
State into two parties is considered abuse, that
we have done nothing but what is right and don't
uAo it c6ends If those who so sensitive
about abuse had defended Mr. Johnston, Gen Branch
and Gov. Clark when they unjusy assaulted, |
they might talk with show of consistency, but as
they did do respectfully suggest that their
mutteringS are out of place.
We earnestly desired avoid contest this summer
but certain disappointed politicians declared there
should be contest, and advised compromise.~0n +
them rests the responsibility. We did not commence
the discussion. Mr. Johnston, and the people Meek
lenburg who participated in a public meeting at this
place. first assailed, and it nothing more than
ddty repe the attack and speak plainly of those
who made it well as of those who and
probably prompted it, Mr. Vance among the number.
We acting on the defensive.
The following remarks from the Statesvic Express
"a paper which formerly co-operacd with Mr. Vance
and his party, but which refuses go with the
so appropriate and correct that we
copy them at the risk of making this article longer
than intended:
1.-The last Greensboro Patriot reads the friends of
Mr. Johnston a homy for that which they have never
done, and the Patriot has been led into error. The
supporters of Mr. Johnston have assaulted Col
Vance, the Patriots candidate body else but
they have all the time desired that the people might be
allowed to go to the polls and vote for the of
their choice, without dictaton, caucussing, party
meetings any thing of the kind. But this fair and
honorable did suit the Raleigh Standard
ereelLence who has assumed take the whole
ter Of the Governors election in charge and dictate
candidate the people of North Carolina whom they
should support and else Mr. Johnston's name
put forth first, to knowledge, by old line =
Wings and Democrats, who were Union down to
the date of Lucolns proclamation, aud they selected
Mr. Johnston for his superior business knowledge and
administrative abilities and his fitness make such
Governor as the State requires this particular time
found wanting in the discharge of any duty. He is
thoroughly identified with interests of the State and
people and a patriot in every of the word.
But VIII followed .! No the of