The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-05-31
NJ. MAJETTE.
Columbia, n. c., May %.
NORTH CAROLINA POLITICS.

| NJ. MAJE IL -.
Columbia, n. c., May %.
NORTH CAROLINA POLITICS.
| We are sorry to have to write such a
words as politics" in such a time as
| this; but party contest has been un-
| fortunately raised over the office of
| Governor of the State of North Caro-
| lima, the election to fill which, will be
| held on the first Thursday in August.
Col. William Johnston has been some
| time announced as a candidate. A
North Carolina paper of Democratic
antecedents, which lies before us, and
which is friendly to his election states
his position thus:
''Col. Johnston was an old line Wing
| and an old Union man up to the fail
| ure of the Peace Congress, when he
became an ultra secessionist-as some
men term it. He was proposed as a
| compromise candidate. Every old
Union paper in the State, the Stand
ard" excepted, and every secession pa
er frankly and promptly declared that
Mr.. Johnston is honest, man of res
pectable talents, and a faithful and
loyal citizen to the land of his BIRTH"
The present Governor, says the same
paper, lis an old line Democrat and an
original secessionist; and for that rea-
son his party, in spirit of compro-
mise, did not see proper to urge his
election"
The party opposed to Colonel John
ston's election here made their plat
form, and selected Colonel z. b. Vance
as their candidate; and from the card
which we copy, it seems that Colonel
Vance accepts their nomination. A
paper friendly to his election des-
cribes his position thus:
1--WE perceive with some regret, that
few papers in the State object to
Colonel Vance because he was not a
before breakfast secessionist. The
objection, it seems to us, is a very I'M
charitable and absurd one. When we
remember that Colonel Vance not only
advocated eternal separation from the
North as soon as all hope of fair and
honorable compromise failed, but gal
lantly drew his sword and went forth
to meet the enemy"
We present below the platforms"
set forth by the friends of the respec-
tive gentlemen. Platforms are gener-
ally mere sounding generalities, but
a pretty fair idea will be obtained OF
the spirit of the two parties by these
manifestoes. and the commentaries
which we find in our North Carolina
exchanges leave US in no doubht.
So far as this contest, so unhappy
at this time, bears upon the general
interests of the Confederacy, it is not
unbecoming for us to refer to 1T. Our
fellow citizens of the respected State
of North Carolina will no doubt render
wise Judgment in the matter; but they
will permit us to suggest the interest,"
which we bear as Confederates, In their
decision.
Again expressing our deep regret
that a, Da1s6y contest should be raised
at such a time, we find no consolation
in the motives in which it originates.
We have a high respect for Colonel
Vance. for his talents, his patriotism,
and his services. But it does seem
that it ought not to have been hard TO
rally on such a man as Colonel john
ston. We presume there is really no
personal difference between the Two
GENTLE men. Either would doubtless
employ all his talents, and zealously
direct all the resources of the State TO
the maintenance of her independence.
| And there seems to have been a great
deal of political magnanimaty shown
! in the selection of Col. Johnston. An
| old line Wing, and not an early seces-
lsjonist, he was cordially accepted III
the spirit of harmony by Democrats
| and Seeessionists, when proposed by
| former Union men. Some of these last
have now brought out an opposition
| candidate-from the declaration o.
1 their platforms, and the comments Oh
their presses-for no better reasons
| that we can discover than prejudice
against the Confederate and Stafe adj
ministrations, and the desire for Office!
Some persons have had too large q
share and too long a tenure OF office
we are told. A party organized tc
struggle for Office in such time as
this Take the following illustration
of this spirit from a recent issue OF
one of the opposition journals:
THE STALL-FED-ERATE CONCLAVE
ION Tuesday last, Mr.. William John
ston. president of the Charlotte anc
Columbia (South Carolina) railroad
was in this city, engaged in conclav'
with a number of office-holders, in de
lyising plans to defeat the people
choice for Governor, Col. Vance, ant
Ian making arrangements to continue
the present office-holders in power. w
saw several otfice-holders ourselves
land we learned that many OF then
were in the city taking part IN TIM
caucus The impression prevailed tina
this secret meeting would Withdraw
Mr.. Johnston and start some one els
for Governor, but this movement. /
contemplated, was no doubt preVente,
10y the personal presence of the presi
dent of the Charlotte and Columbi'
railroad
I'VE learn that the president afore
said was certainly in close consulta
ton with one Englishman, and cou
pie of lrishmen, all of whom are office
holders, or deeply interested pecunlal
| lily in continuing the stall-fed-erate
in power. Are the rights and lbertie
OF our people to be entrusted exclusive
ly TO such persons?
but all this selfish plotting agains
Colonel Vance will come to naughIt. IL
will be elected in spite of official, o
South Carolina, or British, or Milesia
influence The Confederate conserve
tives OF the State will see to that"
J The tone of those engaged in thi
struggle for office is very unhappy q
it effects the general interests OF tn
!. Confederacy, if we may judge from tn
$ tone of some of their leading presses
- - 5,,t ~,