The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-05-19

Ra5- We do not hope to please our neighbor, the
Daily Times, by our course in regard to public men
and measures, and write nothing with that view
That paper assumes to be the peculiar guardian of
Conservatism in Charlotte but beg its pardon for
suggesting that it sometimes does its party more
harm than good. .Some men think they patriotic
when they only bilious and some people esteem
themselves wise when they are only windy"
Last week we took occasion to suggest that the
people, in the present emergency, needed prudent,
careful men for leaders, and remarked that Sir
Durham's in the late Convention .'caused the
Radicals and Republicans to make the Constitution
great deal worse than they were at first disposed
do and that Elm instance did he influence the
Convention for good, simply because he was too
violent and factious." The Times styles thisa fling"
at Mr. Durham, and remarks:
ave should not reproduce this fling of the Demo-
crat at peerless champion of conservatism Plato
Durham had not seen it in the Standard
The sin consists then, in the fact that the Standard
COPIED our article We cannot help that The
Standard also copies of articles in favor of
peace, good feeling and restoring the people pros
parity. Will the Times object to such articles be-
cause the Raleigh Standard copies them!
We repeat, that Mr. Durham did the Conservative
party much harm by his factious, imprudcnt course
influence the Convention for good. We said nothing
about Mr. Durham while he was a candidate for the
Legislature the late election, for did intend
to take sides for against any indiriduai; but let
us contrast his influence with that of another Con-
scrvative member of the Convention John W. Graham
of Orange county. When Mr. Graham spoke he COM
mandcd respect and attention. and he it was who
framed the Stay Law adopted by the Convention
Mr rah is n at hint he
exhibited prudence and good common sense in his
conduct
We think Mr. Durham has been "pufed" enough
by so-caled Conservative organs and that other
gentlemen opposed to extremes entitled to
little credit.
We are q better Conservative than the editor of the
Times Mr. Durham, though do not belong to
the self-styled Conservative party. There Rad-
calls in the Conservative party we'll in the Re-
publican party, and both together have caused the
present unfortunate condition of affairs. 1t is time
for the people be careful how they trust Radicals
Of either party.
The Times alludes to Mr. Durham's efforts in the
Confederate That has nothing do with
what we said about hint has nothing to do with
his imprudent conduct in the Convention. We never
accused him of lying the ''dead line or fegning
sickness to avoid duty. We have no doubt he did
his duty, as he ought to have done. We were good
Il friend to the Confederate Mr. Durham
the Editor of the Times; but that is why
should not strive to get the best terms possible
from conquerors for distressed and impover-
ished people. Nne-tenths of the people want peace
and protection for their families and property
whether il be little n,nch ord thnSe who oppose
contention and strife and advocate the promotion of
good feeling good if not better patriots than
those who foment dissension and thereby cause the
enactment Of oppressive. laws
The Raleigh Sentinel, ALSO seems somewhat exer-
csel by allusion to Mr. Durham. We copied
paragraph from the Wilmington Star about Mr. D.
showing why We did not think he entitled to the
extra laudatons and glorfcaion that had been
spattered aim If the Sentinel had copied the
whole article Ia short oue) instead of quoting only
sentence we think it would have been farer. We
did consider it such great crime for to alude
to the peerless champion" and statesman! and
have thought about asking the pardon of the
peculiar guardians and salt of the earth for having
caused them unpleasant emotions, but concluded
dc so. Let them elbow" awhile longer and
puff whom they please (it may be that great men
often made from small Materials but they must
us for saying that they ought to quit abusing
and denouncng many men who good some
Of those they continually praising.