The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1880-05-20
The State Authorship. 4 Disagree
able Explanation.

is columns WlfhOu pdy--(the editor OF the
FARMER AND MECHANIC has never ALLOW
a brother journalist to pay tor any publ
cation in his paper; and has never denied
A hearing to any gentleman feeling himself
injured. and wiring over his own nancy
and the tenor of the Star editorial, yester
day, which may cause my friend. Col. Burr,
land others) TO suppose MY letter reflected
him, forces me to make this unpleasant
statement.
NV letter to the Star was called forth by an
article in that paper sharply antagOnizing the
remark . fthe Moore Ander-vlz:t that II apt.
Shotwell would be nominated for Auditor
with little opposition = and further asser-
ting that Col. j. G. Burr was in the field
and that his Opposition in the Conven-
ton would Lot be little" &c. The effect
of the paragraph, | telt, and several friends
agreed with me, would give the people of
the Cape Fear an erroneous impression IN
respect to me. Consequently | wrote (as near.
lyas | can remember as follows:
Permit me to thank you for the oppor-
tunity for stating publicly, as have repeat
edly lone privately, that there need be no
feeling, local or personal, between my friends
andthose of Col. Burr, or any OF the halt
dozen other worthy gentlemen who have
been named for the race, as | shall certain
ly not permit my name to go before the con
vention if there be any likelihood OF a con
test. or wrangiing, or embittered 'Opposl-
ton. personal or local
1T is well known that the mention OF my
name tor Auditor was the spontaneous ac-
tion of my friends of the press, without sug-
g~estion or hint from me, and until within
the past fortnight without even my consent.
1t is equally we'll known, by all who know me
at all, that during the past eight years, since
my release from Albany Penltentlary,
have steadfastly discouraged all efforts of
too partial friends to bring me before the
pubic for any office, particularly any State
office. Not that [ did not appreciate the
| honor (which would have been Of the very
greatest Importance to me, as an endorsement
by the best people of my State alter all the
plots of political foes to disgrace and de-
fame}, but because | doubted if the time
had come when such an endorsement could
be laid without endaneer,ng the cause We
all nave SO much at heart. 1t seemed to
me thai after sacrificing seventeen years OF
my life, and every dollar | possessed, IN the
service OF my State aud section. it were the
part of patriotism to still further sacrifice
my personal interests by RETAINING from
anything and everything which might retard
the Democratic Conservative party III obtain
ing control OF the Federal government, and
restoring the old time peace and fraternity to
the land.
AT length, however. in the opinion OF
many good people, there IS no longer any
need of standing back. We have beer
RECONSTRUCTED for fourteen years we
have hur,ahed ourselves hoarse for the OLD
abolitionist, Horace Greeley, and we have
lent, but truly loyal President, whom we
defeated at the polis. Whose the business,
then, If we choose to nominate the men Of
our choice?
Under these circumstances, and IN view
of the volunteered, and most hearty utter
ances of some forty odd Democratic journals
of the State, / have decided to leave my
name at the disposal of my friends. / shall
make no effort to obtain the nomination, but
will be glad to have it, if given with upani
nifty, and without log rolling or wire
pulling" or combining with personal OIL
sectional ia ;tions to encompass It.
ut may be allowable to say that if nomi-
mated | desire to stand as a North Cu,oiGn.
ian, and not as an Eastern, a w estern,
nor "a wake county man Entering
Eastern North Carolina with 4 musket on
my shoulder to assist In eiecting the inva.
dere from her shores, | made my first home
there but in 4 year or two went " est to
fight the battles Of Democracy In the very
stronghold of Red Stringlsm, Radicalism,
and Leaguery 50 that | cannot be said tc
be \ p~artizan Of either Of the three sections
Another thing deserves mention, to wit
that if nominated, / cannot be of assistance
in the canvass, save with my pen and pa
per as ! have neither the means nor the
capacity to canvass. my voice having beer
We nigh ruined by two years confinement
in silence, and a damp cell.
Returning thanks TO my friends, and
particularly my professional brethren who
have so generally, and generously volunteer
ed their good word in my favor, anc
piedging a faithful support Cor the rhoic'
of the convention, I remain
Very truly,
RANDOLPH a. SHoTwfII.
Hon. X. K. Vance vas elected Vie.
President of the National Taurara,ce So