Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-01-21

says the Pittsburg Post, nominated BY
the Democrats for United States sen.
ator, and certain to be elected, is one
of the ablest public men of the South !;
statesman Of ripe experience, and
an orator of great versatility, elo-
quenee and humor. He was a Wing
representative in congress before the
war, and during the war governor Of
his State, but a warm opponent Of
JEFF Davis, and in favor of negotia-
tion with the Federal government.
Vance was made to give way to Gov.
Holden under the reconstruction
process. He ought to have been in
the senate long ago, but has had bad
luck. In November, 1870, he was
elected United States senator, receiY-
ing "a votes to 43 for AbOtt, then
holding the seat. No sooner was this
election made known, however, than
the question of Vanoes political
disabilities was raised. Resolu-
tions of the North Carolina legisla-
ture were presented to congress
asking to have the disabilities re-
moved. The senate election commit
tee decided, in 1871, that Mr.. Vance,
not being eligible to the senate, could
not have his claims considered, and
accordingly struck his name from the
list, leaving only Mr.. Abbott, who
was eventually given the seat. This
was case of giving the office to the
minority candidate on the ground
that votes thrown for disqualified
candidate did not count, and should
have been studied by the Allegheny
courts in deciding the controllorship
contest of Irwin against Alexander.
In 1872, Governor Vance made Sec
ond attempt at senatorship The
Democrats had majority in the Iegis-
lature, and Vance was nominated by
their caucus. When this result was
achieved, seven or eight of the friends
of Judge Merrimon, who had been
the Democratic candidate for gov
ernOr, and was also an aspirant
for the senatOrship, withdrew
from the caucus aud uniting with
the Republicans elected Merrimon.
Though so far unsuccessful in his
senatorial aspirations, Mr.. Vance
continued very active in North Car
Olina politics, and in 1877 he was
elected governor for the third time,
and it is before this term has expired
that he has at length achieved the
object Of his ng-cherished ambition.
The contest just closed has been going
on with great bitterness for six
months. AS long ago as September,
1873 the struggle was active, the posi-
tions, however being reversed since
the time when the rivals previously
faced each other Now Merrimon
was the regular nominee, and Mr..
Vance the Independent. 1t was
said the opposition to Mr.. Mer-
rimon grew out of the fact that
when he was elected six years be-
fore, by the aid of Republican votes,
he made the Republicans many
promises of recognition, all of
which he afterwards disregarded.
Until this month, however, Merrimon
seemed to have the advantage, and
the climax has been surprise to all,
except perhaps the politicians. At
Democratic caucus ON the 18th inst.
letter from Merrimon was read, stating
that his friends had ascertained that
he could not be elected and, having
no desire to disturb the quiet of the
Democratic party by further contest,
he announced his withdrawal from the
race, Governor Vance's nomination
has followed as a matter of course,
and with great unanimity. Senator
Merrimon, who is very strong man,
expects to be candidate for governor
next year and to succeed Senator Ran
som in 1882. Long headed, these
Southern politicians.