Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-10-23
GRAND DEMOCRATIC MEEr1Na-D1scus.


Fl. DocKERY. -Agreeasl lie to noticea public
meeting of the Democratic Club, was held
in this city on Wednesday night last. Col.
A. A. MoKoY, our Congressional nominee.
had an appointment for the occasion. He
and his competitor. Col. Dockery, arrived
On the Wilmington, Charlotte and Ruther-
ford Railroad that evening. The latter
had an appointment at Republican
gathering here Saturday night neet. After
the train had arrived and the news from the
Northern elections received, special chal-
lenge was sent by Dockery for joint dis
cusaion that night. Col. McKoY accepted
the challenge through the Democratic
Club, and the arrangements were agreed
upon. We desired to give report of this
discussion in our yesterdays issue, but our
compositors being fatigued with overwork
the night previous, and the press reports
being short, they were permitted to seek
some rest and the paper was put to press
before the discussion closed.
At the appointed hour an immense
crowd both of Democrats and Republicans,
numbering between two and three thou
sand, had assembled in front Of the Cape
Fear Bank building, from the porch of
which the discussion was conducted. It
was SO arranged that Dockery should lead
off, occupying one hour with his remarks,
Col. McKoY to follow in speech of the
same length, and Dockery finally to close
in ten minutes. It having been announced
by the Chairman of the Republican Execu-
tive Committee that it was a Democratic
meeting and the Republicans were expect
ed to act in the most respectful manner,
and the President of our Democratic Club
having addressed the Democrats in explain
alton of the discussion. Col Dockery was
introduced. He had not proceeded
far with his effort, before d commo-
ton in the crowd arrested his re-
marks, but order soon being restor-
!; ed, they were continued. Anybody
who has heard Dockery speak before
can we'll imagine this effort. It was full Of
etfrontery, brag and a glazing dis
regard of a past political course, which,
with his later actions, has entailed upon
him O most rnenviable record. He ranted
E at secession, Notwithstanding he was Sc
cessionist; eulogized the old flag and its
protecting qualities, forgetting wilfully
that lie had fought against and stubbornly
resisted and defed it for years. and be-
cause he may have been honest then,
wishes all honest men who were with him
I to remember but the stripes which that
flag contains, while he would appropriate
to himself the stars-the glory and spoiis.
Democracy he rallied at, because from it he
had never received any favors; Radicalism
= he Landed, because from it he expects
: favors and emoluments. Grant was eulo.
gized and Seymour abused. While he
, could claim qualities a statesman for
the one, he endeavored to underrate and
scof at the craftsmanship OF the other
Forgetting his past record, he endeavored
now to show his enthusiastic devotion
: among the ranks of the &c trooly loil. u
The Democratic platform came in for a
storm of abuse because it contained princi
, pies too pure for his proper appreciation.
General Blair was special object of his
venom, because, now that tho war is over,
-, he has ceased to fight the poor, deluded
men whom Dockery led into secession and
afterwards carried with him into the
= army. After many pathetic appeals to
the colored voters to ''roost high" when he
f Democrats are around, this valiant Colonel
f retired, as his time was up.
Col. MCkoY then came forward in re-
! ply. We had expected that he would use
: Dockery up pretty badly, but we were by
no means prepared to hear and rejoice at
the perfect ''peeling which he inflicted
: upon him. To use slang phrase, he liter
!, ally skinned him. AS is well known,
] Dockery's record is vulnerable one, and
with this record Col. McKoY is thoroughly
/, acquainted and does not hesitate to show it
;, He exhibited him to be thorough seces
: sicnist next war man then quoted up
on him the card he published calling fol
+ troops to fight against the government
: even before the State had seeded then
| as an officer in the Confederate army
one who now so strongly denounces rebels
= After the war he exhibited him at Carthage
e Amendment, opposing negro suffrage and
s declaring he would leave the State il
y twenty-four hours if the negro was allowed
, to vote. And later still, by a certificate
q from citizen of Dockery's own county
g he proved that even after his election tt
= Congress he had declared in a converse
g ton that he was only in favor of negro
It suffrage for five years. It would be useless
- for Us to attempt to follow Col McKoY il
the argumentative chastisement and tn,
g exposure he heaped upon his opponent
k We were forcibly strnck, when, on allu
O ding 10 Dockery's position at the begin
. ming of the war, and that he occupies a
h present, Col. MCKoY turned to him ant
n said, ''Eisher you were an honest mai
Q then and dishonest man now, or dis
II honest man then and an honest man now
q If honest now, then Oliver II. Decker,
e you are murderer, and have periurct
yourself" Col. McKoY exposed the falsit,