Newspapers / The Era (Raleigh, N.C.) / Dec. 11, 1873, edition 1 / Page 4
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I' I i A. s . s i; 't f RALEIGH, N. C. THUHSDAY, DEC. 11, 18731 There was in tho City one Soi, infamou for his Indolence and villainy, who thought the uvrrtUn f T HioT-tv w. lieen ; iou sness of j'Liin.uwu v " - v - Speech. Plutarch. - " ' ' ' HJ lit tjJJJPl WJPIllft tfff'li Another Great Man Gone. Oil Wednesday December C, 1873, Honorable Alfred Dock ery died at his home in Richmond county. Born December 11th, 1797, he was seventy-six years old, wanting but eijrht days. He came to Raleigh as a member of the House of Commons as early as 1822, and has been before the public as a leading public man of the State ever since. He was a member of tho State Constitutional Convention in 1835. Came to tho State Senate in 1836, serving continuously until 1844, when he was elected to Congress for one term, declining re-election ; but, he was again returned to Con gress in 1851. The great gubernatorial campaign of 1853 will be long remembered. In that great contest General Dock ery tho "old Pee Dee Wagoner" led the Whigs against Bragg the standard bearer of the Democracy, the latter wining by only some two thousand votes. Since the close of the war General Dockery has co-operated with the Republican party, and although filling some important public sta tions, his name and character have never suffered at the hands of a generally indiscriminating public. In the language of an old man who knew him intimately, long and well, "he was as honest a man as God ever made." Alfred Dockery was a self-made man. He was known in political nomenclature as the "old Pee Dee Wagoner." Coming up from the masses of the people he was a rep resentative man of the people the poor man's friend the working man's model, and a people's beau ideal of a great; good "public man. Living to', a ripe old age, if his measure Of ambition was not quite filled, he passed away with that full and pleasant experience that, virtue, which he "pre-eminently possessed of all our public men, has its own reward. - - i "l llaleigli Board of Trade. This Board of Trade has made Raleigh a cotton market, "equal to any in the country, if not better than any other of the same distance from New York. Where 7,000, bales were sold be fore its existence there are now 30,000. Farmers obtain better pricest and the community selling in Ral eigh derive an advantage from this Board of more than a hundred thousand dollars every year. Any legislation that tends to em barrass this Board, or impair the system it has established, in tho estimation of the Northern and European markets, will be ruinous to the farmers. Let there be no legislation on the subject until a better reason can be given for lit than a simple desire on the part of the " Granges." Secret societies have failed in politics. They cannot hope for a better suc cess in business. They have no business to ask for legislation affect ing and hampering business, and the farming and commercial in terests of the country cannot sub mit to it. w Not Behind .Like That. The Wilmington Star of last Sat urday gives currency to the foolish rumor that Hon. W. A. Smith would leave here on that day in company with Geo. L. Mabson, Esq., an applicant for Post-Master at Wilmington. The absurdity of tho rumor con sisted in the statement that Major Smith was at home a week after the Congress assembled. He was promptly on hand the first day, and will be heard from, the Star may depend upon it. Letter from Alumnus, on the University will appear hereafter. Work for Congress. The new Congress which met at Washington on the lstinst., has much work of very great impor tance . to perform work that is needful to be carefully and speedily considered and accomplished, and ofidecfdedjy ;more interest to the country than the fixing of the amount of pay of its members. The Cuban question is one that should not be neglected. The sen timent of tho American people, without regard to sectional lines or party feeling, is such as to demand that the Senate and House of Rep resentatives will deal with that question Ja a bold, frank and pa triotic spirit. The American peo pie have stood tamely by and looked upon the butcheries of strug gling patriots, battling for freedom, until they can no longer remain idle spectators, while brave men are sacrificing their lives and fiends in human shape are steeping their hands in the blood of those whohave shown themselves, by their valor and fortitude, worthy of freedom. If Spain will not acknowledge the independence of Cuba otherwise, it is the duty of the United States to recognize it, and to make an armed intervention to the end of its main tenance. In negotiating for repar ation of the injury and diplomatis ing for apology for the insult to the United States, inflicted by the cap ture of the Virginius and the masa- cre of its officers, crew and passen gers, the administration has but carried out its settled policy of peace. We hope that Congress may inaugurate some measure that will authorize the administration to secure independence for Cuba through peaceable means, if possi ble; but by forcible means, if nec essary. Let the houses of Congress act at once; and act as becomes the representatives of a free and humane people. " N The financial question is one of superlative importance ; and legis lation of a salutary and comprehen sive nature should be immediately instituted. It would be well for Congress to pay profound respect to the suggestions contained in the President's Message, and especially that which points out the great danger menacing the commerce of the country through the provisions of the law regulating "involuntary bankruptcy." We are not quite sure that the business of the country would not be materially benefitted by an increased duty on foreign goods imported into the country; and a simplification of the ma chinery for collection and a decrease in the amount of taxation derived from the Internal Revenue system. This matter should be a subject of serious consideration. Another thing requires attention, if reports recently prevalent are to crdited : The Navy of the United States should be strengthened, and indeed made equal in every respect to that of any nation of the earth. We have a larger extent of coast, liable to and vulnerable to attack, than any country on the face of the globe. Wo have a commerce to be protected that equals that of any power whose ilag traverses the seas. Yet it is stated that our Navy is the weakest in the world. This should not be so ; and now in time of peace we should prepare for war which may come at any moment. It is by no means certain that Spain can enforce its authority upon the Span ish volunteers in Cuba ; and, if not, we may soon find need for a first class Navy. Let the houses of Congress look to these matters just now, and time enough will come to them to fix upon the amount of their salaries, and to repudiate or endorse the back pay action of their predeces sors. Appointments. His Excellen cy Gov. Caldwell has appointed A. R. McDonald, Esq. of Monroe coun ty Solicitor of the 5th judicial dis trict in place of Neill Mckay, Esq. resigned. Gen'l, Rufus Barringer, has been appointed Solicitor for the 9th dist. in place of Hon. W. P. By num, promoted to Supreme Court Judge. Resolution of Instruction to our Senators and .Representa tives in Congress. - WnEREAS, The practical work ings of the Internal Revenue laws oi tne unueuDiaicsm uieir present form aro prejudicial, to the best in terests of the people in many locali ties in this State : ana Whereas, The vigorous efforts now being made by Itevenue offi cers to enforce these laws are creat ing much discontent and confusion among the people; and Whereas, The enforcement of the laws is not only arousing prej udice among our citizens, but is ab solutelyalienating the hearts of the people from the government it self ; and . , Whereas, The execution of such laws has not only been a fruitful source in producing the evil herein specified, but in various sections of the State has cost the government more than double the amount of the revenue derived from such source, Therefore be it Resolved by the House; of Representatives, the Senate concurring, That our Sena tors and Representatives in Con gress are hereby earnestly requested to use their utmost influence to have the aforesaid laws so modified as to render them less expensive to the government and less oppressive to the people of the3e United States: . Resolved further That the Secre tary of State is hereby directed to furnish each of our Senators and Representatives in Congress with a copy of these resolutions as soon as practicable. Adopted by the General Assem bly of North Carolina and ratified the 2d day of December, 1873. J . Jj. iU5lJ SON, Speaker House Representatives. C. H. BROGDEN, President of the Senate. A true copy, ; W. H. HOWERTON, ,; Secretary of State. The above resolution was intro duced by Mr. Blythe, of Henderson county,' a Republican of the first water. This resolution is understood to reflect the sentiments of the entire Republican party of the West. It is doubtful, even, if the office hol ders will object to it. When the Era opened on the revenue system and service, it did so in obedience to mat sentiment which has produced, through Mr. Blythe, the above expression, and the obje'et of ChTs paper was to secure for our people that relief and reform sought through this instruction to our Senators and Representatives in Congress. As has been said before, if that relief and measure of justice de manded cannot be obtained, then let the Internal Revenue system be abolished altogether. Those gentlemen who have ar raigned the lira and Hon. W. A. Smith, so indignantly, of late, are invited to a perusal of the resolution of Mr. Blythe. Tlie Speed of Falsehood. It has been said that a lie will travel a league before truth gets on his boots. This has been often exemplified, and it is pre-eminently true in the case of Hon. W. A. Smith and the resolution of Mr. Butler to seat the Pinchbeck set in Congress. The News of this city stated that Mr. Smith, of this District, voted for the resolution. A friend of Mr. Smith, in this city, promptly wrote a note correcting the News and asking its publication. It was not published. As an act of justice to our Repre sentative the Era here makes the correction by producing extract of a letter from Mr. Smith, dated Washington, Dec. 3, 1873 : "I suppose I played the deuce with the party by voting against Butler's resolution to admit the Pinchbeck set, which was supported by the Republicans in the bulk." Now, whether Major Smith was expected by his party to vote for or against the resolution of General Butler, it is clear that he wishes it to be known that he voied against, and theiVeir and alioiher papers misrepresenting him ought to make prompt reparation and correction. A resolution has been introduced in the State Senate requesting our members of Congress to vote for a bill to refund the tax levied on cot ton in the years 1865,-66, and 67. A Word or Two. In a letter "to the Republicans of North Carolina" under the above head, and sent to the Era for publi cation, Granville S. Patterson, Esq:j says: .V ; . I hope the Republican delegates who will meet in Convention next Summer, in every county , of the State will get out good men to rep resent them in the next General Assembly, for it seems some of those sent for the sessions of 1872-'73 have not kept the faith, and I want to begin to look out in time for some who will keep the faith. Unfaithful Representatives will not do for the masses of the people, nor will such public servants im part new strength, or aid to main tain the supremacy of the Republi can party in North Carolina. t The Republican party naa given us a Constitution under which all good men were satisfied to live, but we. find some of our Republican Senators and Representatives voting to amend that instrument in a way to impair much of its beauty and usefulness; and this too after many of them had declared from every stump that they would do nothing of the kind. Having, therefore, forgotten their pledges to the people, I think it will be well enough for the people to forget them next Summer, when thev assemble to nominate Repre sentatives and put in the field can didates for the various county offi ces in the State. Since the year 1868, , the Republi can party has lost eighteen thousand votes in this State, and I think it is due in great measure to putting inefficient men into office; and men who, as soon as they get office, lose their faith and betray , their party. The Era would remind Mr. Pat terson, that, not only does the time approach for putting candidates again in the field, but the time has already arrived for putting a stop to personal wrangling and clique-fighting within the ranks of the Republican party in North Carolina. There has already been too much of this, and to this sort of disastrous warfare in the party may we attribute any loss of strength we have sustained since 18GS. ! That inefficient and unworthy men have sometimes been elevated to office no one .doubfcj-or denies, but the remedy for this is in the hands of the people themselves. And if any have betrayed their constituents, such deceived constit uents are expected to look to the matter themselves. But it is hardly fair to indulge in sweeping complaints of any kind of the Republicans of this Legisla ture. They have done more to de feat the plans, and thwart the de signs of their opponents than any minority party has ever done in any Legislature within the history of North Carolina, and they de serve the highest praise and com mendation at the hands of their constituents, individually and col lectively, without exception. The Era does not take Issue with Mr. Patterson in a spirit of contro versy, nor is this article a criticism on his letter, but cheerfully pub lishing his letter, the paper feels that justi requires that it say this much in defence of the Republican members of this Legislature, who have,one, and all, shown them selves equal to and true to the great trusts confided to them. They have doubtless made mistakes, and permitting these amendments to pass the Era has thought was a mistake under all the circumstances; but save perhaps fifteen or twenty Senators and Representatives, the balance of the Republican delega tion were pledged to amend the Constitution in some shape or other, and the Era does not apprehend that any Representative has griev ously outraged his immediate con-1 stituents by his votes on the Con stitutional Amendments last Win ter. Mr. Patterson is evidently a good Republican, in no danger of forget ting the faith, and the Era would be glad to hear from him often on matters affecting the good of the Republican party in North Carolina. The time approaches for work, and has arrived for healing dissen sions in our party, and in this the Era would be glad of the aid of Mr. Patterson's vigorous pen. The Pioneer and the Era. ' . - j "ft t Vi " f The Asheville Pioneer of the 29th November, proceeds to copy from the Era kit article nstatirig that an other military raid had? been or dered for the 'Soutfi-Mbuntain sec tion of Burke county, .which action Vvrr of t'10 r im o nanripmned and LI I V AJ9 V UW .w - denounced. The Pioneer had not heard of the intended movement, but the Era had, and from the best information since attainable, the inference is ir resistible that the movement was really in serious contemplation, and it wTas believed to have been frus trated, not by the publication in the Era, but by the action and in terference of Congressman Smith at Washington. The Pioneer, -then goes on to in dulge in some severe language to ward Major Smith, calling him, among other things, "an irate fool." Such language is not only in bad taste, out nor at an appncaDie to a . i 1 j i . iii l! 1 1 x gentleman who, in every sphere in which he has operated, has shown himself one of the foremost men of the State. Toward those gentlemen who have come into the Republican m . s-v - J party since- io, tne Pioneer is manifestly discourteous and unfair. It is not the policy , of the Republi can party to drive off any,, but it welcomes all, and the Pioneer does itself injustice whenever it reflects on any gentleman of the Republican party, whether he came in '68 or '73. It is not the purpose nor the desire of the Era to provoke a controversy with its able and worthy contem porary of the West,, but it shall be the constant aim of the Era to heal all dissensions in', the party, and support that party faithfully to the end. In assailing the Revenue service as it has been administered in some sections, the Era has incurred the displeasure of some, but it has the satisfaction of . knowing that the great body of the Republican party endorse and sustain its position. The editor of the Pioneer if he understood the matter fully would agree with the Era in the position it has taken. " ' - The article cannot be as fully re plied to here as was desired, some one having broken into the desk of the editor and stolen the Pioneer of the date alluded to. The Era would invoke the Pioneer to harmony, and it beseeches that paper to abstain in future from un warranted attacks on such Republi cans as Major Smith, who, the Pioneer is assured, does not assume to own the Republican party; nor does he control or seek to controL the course of the Era as the Pioneer makes it appear. Declaring that it has no quarrel with the Pioneer, the Era assures that paper of its hearty co-operation in any proper thing that will-tend to the good of the Republican party ; but in this matter of inter nal revenue, the Era does not pro pose to remain silent in the presence of abuses that have been so frequent on the part of some of the officers of that service. Better Feeling The Country United.. Late events, growing principally out of probable war with : Spain have tended to illustrate the unity of feeling and national sentiment now so happily indicative of a real union between the North and the South. 1 ' Vice-PresidenV Stephens of the late Confederate States has been re turned to the Congressofhe United States, arid on the -suggestion of a Republican he was Unanimously given his choice of a seat on the floor. Mr. Stephens called to see the President, and Grant met him at the door. Thus the first officer of the United States, and the second officer of the late Confederate States sat together in pleasant, profitable and gratifying conversa tion for hours. President Grant spoke to a Confederate officer in the highest and kindest terms of Mr. Stephens, and was glad he had been returned to Congress. Don't this look' like Union? Where, in all the history of the
The Era (Raleigh, N.C.)
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Dec. 11, 1873, edition 1
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