Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-10-23

The Discussion SATURDAY NIGHT.-As
we have before stated, the discussion at
tho City Hall Saturday night last, between
Coils. Cowan and Dockery, was conducted
with much courtesy and listened to with a
feeling of harmony we were pleased to see
prevail We do not attempt to give GER
batina report of the speeches, nor do we
claim that it is full-we feel that we have
done both Of the speakers Injustice
But we have endeavored to present the
leading points of the discussion, from VIII ich
something OF an idea may be gained as to
its general tenor and character.
According to the arrangement, Dockery
opened in speech of an hours length, in
ideas and views advanced in his previous
effort here recently. He first reviewed our
political course as State from the time
that the war ended and the Confederate
flag was loWered-and, as he trusted, for
ever. Our action under President John
sons scheme of reconstruction was quoted.
The calling of the Convention, the abol-
ishment of slavery by that Convention, it's
Reputation of the Confederate war debt,
and then the election of Senators and Re
representatives. to Congress. Here, he de-
clared our people erred in not sending men
to Congress who could take the test oath,
which oath he regarded as most proper and
just. 1t was then that Congress interposed
and CIT Inn itto5 tho Howard Amendment oe
he said, one of the most magnanimous pro-
positions ever extended to the Southern
people, containing two distinctive features
list. That that class of officers who had
taken an oath previous to the war to sup.
port the Constitution of the United States
and afterwards engaged in the rebellion
should not hold office. End. That the
vexed question of suffrage should bo left to
the people of each State to settle for them
selves. He thought that it should have
been accepted and then the people could
regulate suffrage for themselves. He was
then in favor of the amendment and not in
favor of negro suffrage. So soon as Con-
gress declared, however, that the negro
position then came. Congress itself de-
clared the establishment Of negro suffrage.
He thought that tho fat had gone forth
and it was too late to set aside or alter this
declaration. He then read the Democrat
ic platform and commented extensively
thereon. Gen. Blair letter was read and
the impression attempted that it meant
war Judge Pearsons letter was also read,
and that official, who has soiled his judicial
robes by dragging them into the mire and
filth of politics, was held up and lauded as
an honest, incorruptible man. Nat. Boyden
was quoted, and he also lauded. In the
face of the declaration that measure are
not men, nor principles men, which he ad-
vanced in behalf of his party, he said that
party claimed support because it had at
the head of its ticket the name of Gen.
Grant. The speaker then gave his old
advice to the negroes to go to our barbe-
cues and partake of our hospitality, and af-
ter doing so, to refuse to vote our ticket.
After saying good deal OF other stuff of
similar nature, he retired.
Col. Cowan then came forward before
the audience. He said that he came to
meet the challenge of Col. Dockery and
discuss the political issues and principles
which now agitate the country. He was
not candidate for Office and had never