The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-10-20
THE 7rH CONGRESSIONAL DIsTRTcT

We are rejoiced to learn from friend who has
had GOOD opportunities for forming opinion, and
in whose judgment we have great confidence, that
the reelection of the Hon Thomss s. Ashe is re-
garded as certain. There is perhaps no election
in the State in which general interest is felt
Mr.. Ashe is gentleman of very decided ability,
whose experience in the National Councils is valu
able and should not be lost without some compep-
sating advantage. His frank, honest. gentlemanly
bearing and character give him influence in Con-
gress, as everywhere, and reflect honor upon the
people who select him to represent them-it must
be worthy and intelligent community that chooses
such man as its agent. 1t would not be wise, in
time of difficulty and danger to discard faithful
Representative familiar with his duties and having
the confidence of those with whom he is associated
We learn that Mr. Ashe has everywhere in the
canvass, whilst expressing the strongest desire for
peace, maintained that the "peace meetings" in
this State, far from promoting peace were of di
rectly opposite tendency, calculated to encourage
the enemy and to prolong the war. There can be
no doubt about the truth of this, and the country
owes debt of gratitude to Mr. Ashe for making it
plain in sections where "peace meetings" were at
first popular We ourselves have seen written
evidence that they have caused assertions from
army; and the yankee papers abundantly show that
they have possessed all yankeedom with hopes of
speedily regaining North Carolina, aud encouraged
them to call for more troops to invade the interior
of the State in the expectation of finding friends
there in the persons of the holders of these meet
ings.' These meetings, therefore, in most of which
we have no doubt good and patriotic men partici-
pated under the delusive expectation that they
might In some way or other promote that end
which we all so ardently desire, have really and
manifestly weakened our army, divided our people
to some extent, and encouraged the enemy. Such
effects could only lead to prolongaton of the war;
the very opposite of what was intended. 1t gives
us more pleasure than we express to learn that
even the participants in this movement have be,
come aware of its hurttul tendency, and that con.
sequenty peace meetings are in dsfavor, even in
counties where they were most popular.
Another reason for the disfavor into which these
not inclined the association of persons who
claimed to belong to their party and yet unblush-
ingly resolved that they would "pay no tithes to
Bradford or to any body else;" and of traitors who
resolved that they were "for the yankee constitu-
ton as it is and the Union as 1t was" Ninety
nine nundreths of the "peace party" with all their
anxiety for peace, too honest act with those
who glory ia refusing to pay their just debts,
whether to government to individuals, too patri-
otto to be tories and too intelligent not to see that
the old United States constitution is dead letter
as to them and their rights, and the old Union an
impossibility. Hence, honest and patriotic and in
telligent men have come ont from among the ile-
gitimate peace men, and North Carolina is herself
again-7the same sober, honest, law-abidng, patri-
otto and intelligent old State which has given her
treasure and her blood for independence, and will
have nothing short of independence as their price.
Fayetteville Observer