Year: 1859

MEssRs EDITORS You can scarcely surmise the
astonishment with which Twas filled, when on look
ing over the columns of the Lice Giraffe (Which
friend was kind enough to loan me- my eye rested
on the following; The article in the Girqfs is head,
ed, THAT Plot" The Editor or whoever penned
the article, says:


1--WE have learned from undoubted authority, that
resolution similar to the lukewarm resolve which
was reported to the Wake meeting, was prepared by
gentleman of Johnston county, for the purpose Of
being placed before the Democratic meeting of that
county but at the suggestion of a friend OF MIR.
Branch, who happened to see the resolutions before
the meeting came on, it was changed and made to in
struct the delegates to vote for MIR. Branch There
was resolution on hand aso similar to that offered
by F. Wilson in the Wake meeting, similar, that
gentlemen in the Wake meeting recognized it at
once This was also laid aside at the suggestion Of
friend of Mr.. Branch" "Thus it will be that
the first attempt to carry out That Plot against
Mr.. Branch was made at Johnston Court, but was
promptly met and thwarted
Astonished and indignant as felt at the total dis
regard of truth and the baseness of the nsnuatons
contained in the above, had concluded that it
unworthy of serious notice. and should have passed
it in silence had not warm friend of mine apprised
me that an effort was being made about Raleigh to
make it appear that there was completely my part
in getting up plot to defeat the nomination @. Mr.
Branch


Messrs. Editors, it is matter Of but little import
who the g undoubted authority of the Giraffe was.
| am, however, at loss to comprehend by what pro-
cess of ratocnation he could have come to a con-
clusion so utterly at variance with the facts And
here will remark that do not intend to be drawn
into a controversy with nj wspaper of such doubt
full Democratic character as the Lice Giraffe" For
| can come to other conclusion, from the number
now before me- than that it is machine at the bid
ding of some unscrupulous demagogue whose vapid
imagination has led him to believe that he is par
cellence the man for any and every office.


The history, so far Johnston is concerned, as to
the holding of convention, is simply this short
article published in your paper the signature of
Johnston, March 23d gaverise to notice that there
would be Democratic meeting on Wednesday of
our Superior Court Previous to the day which
the Court assembled l drafted some resolutions;
these resolutions were submitted by me to great
many prominent Democrats of the county-to seve-
raj that conceived to be sound Democrats who do
not reside in the county, and also to Mr.. Branch,
previous to the day designated for the meeting 4U
concurred that the resolutions expressed good sound
Democratic doctrine. But all suggested that they
were better suited to District convention than
County meeting Finding this to be the general i'm
preston, readily acquesced and drew up the resolu
tions that were passed at the meeting.


Now, Messrs Editors, for the first set of resolutions:


Resolred, That we approve the holding Conven-
tion for nominating candidate to represent this
District in the next Congress of the United States;
and that we recommend Hilsboro' as suitable place
to hold said Convention.


Resolred, That the Chairman of this meeting ap-
point twenty delegates to represent this county in
said Convention.


Resolred That we are now as we ever have been,
opposed to the misapplcaton or squandering of the
Public Lands, either by donations or grants and
that the President of the United States is entitled to
the gratitude and applause of the whole people, and
especially the great National Democracy fthe coun
try for staying 5y the prompt and constitutional
ercise of the veto power the recent reckless and
constitutional action of Congress.


Resolred That in our opinion the acquisition of
Cuba is of the first importance to the nation, and
imperatively demanded by the most vital interest of
the South.


Resotred, That while we approve the admnistra-
ton of President Buchanan dissent from the doc
trine of specifics and adhere to the sound Democrat
ic principle of ad ualoren to raise the necessary
revenue for the support of the government.
Resolred, That we regard the economical admin
istration of the government the sworn and mper
ative duty of those entrusted with the financial and
ministerial affairs of the same. That it is the duty
of Congress to keep diligent watch over, and
vigilant scrutiny into the action and administration
of the various departments and branches Of the gov
ernment to detect and correct all acts of malfeas-
ance Wenevertheless regard that parsimony which


mpars the efficiency of the national defences Grip



and fails to meet the prospective requirements of the
rapid growth and expansion of our people, as unwse
and at variance with every sound principle Of nation
al interest.


Rtsolrea, That we cordially approve the course
pursued in the Congress of the United States by
representative the Hon. L. OBJ. Branch, and we re-
commend him for denomination.


"Undoubted authority" cannot have forgotten
that suggested mot hey that the resolutions ap-
proving Of Mr.. Branch's course might be made
more comprehensive and fatterng to him were to
add after the name of Mr. Branch, and we recon-
mended him for denomination" but should this
small suggestion have escaped the memory of sun
doubted authority" am happy to know that there
! are many gentlemen who recollect my making the
suggestion to them and agreed that the suggestion
was both proper and advisable. l made the addi-
ton which made the resolutions read as above
Surely Messrs. Editors, this was plotting with a
vengeance. How absurd to make so grave charge
as plotting under such circumstances. That was
plotting to defeat Mr. Branch and have been stu
Did as to place Mr. Branch's 'undoubted authority"
and may say the public, in possession Of all the
means could use before the time for action had ar
rived! Surely " "undoubted authority in the vru-
lence of his hate and invectve against Holden must
have become oblivious regarded Watson.
have only to add that as to the charge of plot
ting, which implies completely that it is false in its
inception slanderous in its deduction and base in
its conclusion. appeal TO Mr. 6ranch 10 say, 'hac
from first acquaintance to the present time, ii
my course towards him has not been of that frank,
open and manly bearing that would repel the sur
mise of so grave charge. would that had the
charity to believe that undoubted authority" had


no ulterior object in view. l will say to him, how
ever that if he exhibits as much warm attachment


for Mr.. Branch and Democratic principles on the


hustings at the coming election, as shall do that


shall be most agreeably disappointed.


word more The Giraffe savS and nreSume


upon the same "undoubted authority" that " there


was resolution on hand also, similar to that offer


ed by Frank l. Wilson in the Wake meeting so sim


liar, that gentleman in the Wake meeting. recog


nized it at once. This was also laid aside at the


suggestion of friend of Mr. Branch. Now, IT tn