SPIRIT OF THE PRESS.
The Salisbury "Watchman" publishes the
article of the Argus on "Free Suffrage,"
with the following preliminary remarks:
"The clarion notes of party strife in the
old North State, are beginning to sound out
from mountain top to mountain top, nd
their reverberations to wake the humble
dwellers in the vales below. Soon the mass
es, who have enjoyed for some mouths past
the quiet and peaceful pursuits of life.arou
sed from their repose, will be seen ming
ling in a civil strife on measures of a polit
ical nature measures which no oppression
or necessity felt by them -suggested, but
for which they may thank or blame, as they
happen to fesl, the demon party. It is rare
ly the case that the people demand a change
in the organlic law, or the recognition of a
new principle" of Government. Designing
politicians party leaders men who have
not that religious concern for the true inter
ests ofthe country which they ought to feel,
most generally make the discovery of errors,
and first groan under the oppression of
wrongs, which they afterwards stir up the
people to reform. And strange to tell.tho'
these wrongs are mostly fanciful, yet they
too often succeed in making the people be
lieve that they are monstrous, and incite
them to carry out their wicked behests."
The same paper says:
, "From present indications we are forced
to believe that Mr. Fillmore 'will be the
Whig candidate for the Presidency in the
approaching election. No man possesses
higher claims, and in view of all the ques
tions involved in the approaching contest,
no man, we think, stands so good a chance
of success."
The Charlotte "Whig" says :
"There can be no good reason given for
a man canvassing for Governor to blend
questions of State policy with those which
relate to and affect the national administra
tion. Indeed when a man canvassing for
Governor jumps astride of a popular politi
cal hobby in order to secure his own elec
tion, he makes of himself a political dema
gogue, and sinks far beneath the sphere of
that honorable post. We for one do not
wish to see the candidate of the Whig par
ty riding any such an animal into office; not
even that of an unrestricted convention.
Any man, Whig or Democrat, who pursues
such a policy not only degrades himself and
the office itself (when he is in it,) but he is
concerning himself about that which neith
er the constitution, nor his moral duty.jnor
the people's interest, nor any other consid
eration, demands at his hands. Then we
say, let those persons, who shall be found
canvassing the several counties as candid
ates for the. State Legislature during the
coming summer, discuss these questions of
constitutional reform as they should be, and
our word for it, the Whig party will not suf
fer in the result. By this process we will
lect our candidate for Governor by a tri
umphant majority, and secure for our party
an overwhelming majority in theLegislature.'
The Wilmington "Commercial" of the
12th has the following paragraph :
"The time has not arrived fot the discus
sion of the matter relative to the amendment
of our State Constitution, but we will not
fail, on proper occasions, to continue the
expression of our sentiments in favor of and
our reasons for an open Convention, in
which the voice of tLe people may be ex
pressed. There are some errors prevailing
in regard to the effect of such a Conven
tion,which we trust will be cleared up to
the satisfaction of the people.
There is a disposition among some of our
friends to avoid the issue of the Convention
subject, in the canvass for Governor be
cause they think it has no legitimate con
nexion with it. This is very true but still
it will be an issue of paramouLt importance,
in spite of all that can be said or done by
any body. So all hands may as well go to
work with this consequence in view. It
may be disagreeable, but if it were the small
pox you would be obliged to take it sc
ieep cool about it." - -
The Milton "Chronicle" perceives from
Wheeler'sHistory, that
"C. N. B. Webb is publisher ofthe Milton
Chronicle. We have no acquaintance with
this man " Webb." We wish he( would
show himself just about this juncture of af
fairs and face some " duns" (arising from
the publication of .the paper,) like a man,
and not keep himself concealed from the
sight of every body. Wheeler ought to
write one more History, and then go up
that tree of his what do you call it ? A
Map Tree, we suppose. Never saw a tree
like it we have seen weather, -however,
when we would have given "our pile" for
a few hours projection under a tree like that
from the hot sun."
The "Chronicle" asks
. " Why not re-elect Mr. Fillmore ? Why
put him aside when he has administered
Ll 1S UUVCIUIilCUb IV IMG annual CUUIC oauo-
faction of every Democrat in the Union, ex
cepting the Office-hunting portion and their
peculiar tools ? No man in America could
administer the Government more satisfac
toliry to the People without regard to par
ties, and we cannot see anything to be gain
ed for the Country by turning Mr. F. out
and putting in another man. All acknowl
edge him a good President and beiqg a
good President we submit if it would not be
wise in the American people to elect hirn
President for four years from the 4th of
March next ? Why not ? What will the
Country gain by putting another man in his
place ? That is a question which demands
the serious reflection of every man in the
Union."
The "Albemarle Bulletin," in an article
on State Reform says :
" The wry faces, contortions and " sput
terings" of those who swallowed the "Free
Suffrage" pill, last winter, may have been
amusing enough to the spectators, but they
also were significant symtoms to all who
attempted a prognosis, under the circum
stances. They showed that although " the
patients" were willing to take a "Dauseous
dose," in order to avoid one, not only un
palatable in itself, but fatal 'in its conse
quence, it would be a difficult task to force
another such "nostrum" down their reluc
tant throats. Utterly disgusted with a prac
tice, by which they have been seriously in
jured already, they have resolved to dis
charge their Doctors, and prescribe hereaf
ter for theirselves. " Free Suffrage" or a
Convention were the alternatives presented
to "the patients;" as sensible men, they se
lected the' lesser evil, and swallowed the
milder dose. Is there any thing strange in
jhis ? Was there any compromise of princi
ples or independence in such a course ?
Could they as conscientious men act in any
other way?" .' -
The Plymouth "Villager" says : I . '-'ly
' The Fisheries on the Roanoke, are do
ing a pretty fair business ; those on the
sonnd, are not doing so well. It is thought,
the run of fish will be good during the sea
son." :-'.
A correspondent of the " North State
Whig" comments upon the oppression at
tempted to be exercised tp wards purchasers
of Swamp lands by the Literary Board. We
quote :
"In looking over your paper of the 25th
of Feb., past, I there find a copy ofthe regu
lations made by the Literary Board, for the
purpose of enabling persons wishing to pur
chase Swamp Land to get a title for the
same. 1st. they say the person wishing to
purchase must, at his own expense, have
the land surveyed by the County Surveyor,
and have two fair plats made. 2nd. he
must apply to the Clerk of the County Court,
get him to appoint two gentlemen to alue
the same uiicer oath; he must then get a
Justice of the Peace to certify to that point.
3rdly. he must then get the Clerk to certify,
&c. These things all being done, he- must
send the papers thus made out to the Lite
rary Board, who will, they say, decide upon
the application, and if the valuation 8cc. ap
pears reasonable &c. they will confirm the
same. Now, sir, you will perceive the enor
mous expense a person must be run into in
order to prepare the papers for the decision
ofthe Board, all at the risk of having his
whole proceedings negatived. Now I would
ask if any one living or dead ever yet has
seen such an attempt to exercise authority
in this republican country? Here, you will
perceive, are five persons, all acting under
oath, the Surveyor, the valuers, the Justice,
and Clerk; and although they have thus act
ed, yet the Literary Board must nevertheless
set themselves up as judges of the value,
notwithstanding they have pointed out the
manner in which said land shall be valued.
Now certainly the Literary Board cannot be
so very weak as to suppose any person.save
an idiot, could be kidnapped by these spider-web
regulations."
The Wadesboro' "Argus," in an article
about Presidential aspirants, expresses the
opinion that
"Mr. Buchanan is evidently the favorite
ofthe Democracy of North Carolina. Mr.
Douglass is, hwever, the prime favorite of
his Accidency, the Governor of North Car
olina and, of course, of his Accidency's
organ, the North Carolina Standard. This
difference of opinion between the Court and
its organ on the one side and the masses of
the party on the other, is not without sub
stantial reason: Mr. Buchanan is much bet
ter qualified for the office of President than
Mr. Douglass, is much more conservative in
his views, and therefore more acceptable to
the unsophisticated masses. Douglass on
the other hand is a near relation, by mar
riage, to his Accidency, and most assuredly
would, if elevated to the Executive mansion
in the Federal City, bestow upon his cousin
David S. of North Carolina the Mission to
Spain; and upon the Standard, the adver
tising for North Carolina and the printing
of sundry fat jobs for the Departments.
Nay we do not know but that his Ugliness
might be transplanted' to Washington City
itself, to edit the Administration organi
How the man would suit the master! Dou
glass and Holden Arcades 2mbo!"
' The Graham "Democrat" says
"Our neighbors of the Greensboro' Pat
riot need not give then 'elves any uneasi
ness about locofoco fears of Gen. Scott. As
to th British and Mexicans, it was, we be
lieve, very much against the wishes of the
party to which the editors of the Patriot be
long, that they should fear him; and it was
hardly to have been expected, that they
should have abused one, who stood so high
with their friends. The charge "that he is
a granny'and coward," we have no doubt
the editors of the Patriot would like to see
made; especially the latter as it is on his
military fame that the whig party base their
hope of electing him. When the charge of
"granuyism" is made, we think it would not
be hard to show that the Gen. has exhibited
on more han one occasion, to say nothing
ofthe "hasty plate of soup," decided symp
toms of that infirmity; and if his own state
ments are to be credited we are authorised
in saying that he is at least, afraid of a 'fire
in the rear.' But we do not say that he is
either "a granny or a coward." There are
enough objections to Genl. Scott, (without
gratifying the whigsby making these)which
the editors of the Patriot cannot answer, and
which the people will not overlook."
The Weldon "Patriot" exhorts its neigh
bors in the following words :
"Whigs of Halifax, you cannot be indiff
erent in regard to the Convention to be held
in Raleigh the 4th Monday of next month
When your brother Whigs from every part
of the State shall assemble tn the Capitol,
to deliberate upon matters pertaining to the
best interest of the party, you should be
there to utter forth a voice expressive of
your determination in the day of .battle to
"fight a good fight." You should be there
to cheer your brother Whigs elsewhere to
strive for victory. You should be there to
imbibe afresh renewed zeal in behalf of the
principles of our party, and the welfare of
our common country."
The "Newbernian" is occupied with the
farther discussion of the TeVminus difficul
ty, concluding with the question,
"On the whole, is it not adding insult to
injury to attempt to make those who are con
cerned in the river interest believe that this
change cannot effect them injuriously ?"
On State policy, the Newbernian says:
. "If the convention question must come,
let us at least drop it for the present, so far
as is practicable, move in solid phalanx a
gainst Locofocoisro, and rescue the State
from its baneful . influence. - Who knows
too, but this may be the most certain means
of putting a quietus upon one of the hum
bugs at least which the Locofoco success in
the State has forced upon us, and which the
western Whigs so much abominate ? We
mean the amendment of the constitution by
the Legislature. We can all unite in oppo
sition to that."
The "Telegraph" gives a synopsis of two
iectures delivered by Professor Emmons, in
Goldsboro', on Agricultural Chemistry.
' The "Old North State says :
"The Whigs of North Carolina have made
selection of Sir. Fillmore because they are
proud of, and well satisfied with hie entire
course of policy, since a dispensation of
Providence has called him to fill the Exec
utive Chair; because he has been tried and
found to possess all the traits of character,
fitting him to fill the highest position among
an enlightened and free people; because he
has proved himself true to the South, and to
the whole Union, by his course upon the
Compromise; because he is determined to
uphold the National character for probity
and strict regard to treaty stipulations ; be
cause he is opposed to involving us in en
tangling alliances with foreign nations, or
of mixing us up with European politics;and
finally,, they are in favor or him because he
is a true Whig, devoted to their policy, and,
of course, to the prosperity of the country."
The Greensboro' "Patriot" has articles
upon "State issues," and the Eastern Ter
minus. We transfer part of the first "to our
columns. - : - ' "'-". y ...'-..,
CONGRESSIONAL.
In Sexate, March 9, Mr. Rusk report
ed a joint resolution authorizing the ap
pointment of an . additional assistant Post
master General. Mr. Pratt reported adverse
ly on the petitions of deputy marshals ask
ing additional compensation for taking the
census. Mr. Bayard's resolution referring
Ihe printing of the census returns to ae
lect committee was adopted. Mr. Stock
ton introduced a bill granting bounty land
to sailors engaged ia the Mexican Avar. .
The joint resolutions on the subject ot non
intervention were then taken up, and Mr.
Seward addressed the Senate in favor of
some amendments he had proposed affirm
ing our right to intervene in the affairs of
Hungary by protest, &c, after which Mr.
Jones of Tenn. obtained the floor and the
subject was postponed to Wednesday week.
In the House, a bill granting right of
way and public lands fox a railroad in Al
abama came up, and Mr. Clingman mov
ed an amendment exempting iron to be us
ed on this and all other roads from duty ;
bonds being given that it shall be used for
that purpose withinthree years after impor
tation ; and rendering it ultimately sub
ject to double duty if not so used. The
speaker decided the amendment out of or
der in this bill. Mr. Orr appealed from
this decision, and the appeal was laid up
on the table. Mr. Phelps presented the
petition of A. W. Reynolds", contesting
the right of R. H. Weightman to his seat
as delegate from New Mexico. The sub
ject was laid over. The homestead bill
granting land to every head of family, was
then taken up, and Messrs. Wilcox and
Rantoul made violent political speeches.
The House adjourned.
In Senhte, March 10, Mr. Downs re
ported resolutions in relation to defective
census returns from California ; and to di
rect that the number of electoral votes to
which each State shall be entitled in the
election of President and Vice President of
the United States in 1S52, shall be equal
to the number of Senators and Represen
tatives to which each of said States will be
found entitled by the apportionment under
the enumeration of 1S50, as provided by
the act "for taking the seventh and subse
quent censuses," approved May 23,'IS50.
The bill granting lands to Iowa for rail
roads was taken up, and Mr. Borland ad
dressed the Senate in support of it. Mr.
Cass obtained the floor, and the Senate ad
journed. In the House, Mr. Clingman made an
unsuccessful attempt to proceed to the con
sideration of appropriation bills for the Li
brary, and capitol buildings. The home
stead bill was taken up, and Mr. Richard
son, of 111., defended Senator Douglas a
gainst Mr. Breckenridge's charges in a
former speech. Mr. I J. rejoined. Mr.
Washburn spoke on the European and
North American Railroad. Mr. Marshall
of Cal. obtained the floor, and the com
mittee rose. The bill appropriating $75,
000 for repairs of Congressional Library
room was then passed. Mr. Stanly offer:
ed a resolution to close the debate on the
homestead bill to-morrow at 3 o'clock, in
order to consider the deficiency bill, and
asked the yeas and nays on its pasage,
that the country may see who are respon
sible for the delay in public business.
They were ordered ; pending which, the
House adjourned.
In Senate, March 11, the credentials
of Mr. Brooke, U. S. Senator from Miss,
were presented, he was sworn and took his
seat. A resolution appropriating $5,000
out of the contingeut fund of the Senate
to pay the expenses attending the recep
tion of Louis Kossuth in Washington city,
was debated, and passed by the following
vote : yeas 31 ; nays, Messrs. Borland,
Cass, Glarke, Mason, Morton and Pratt
6. The Senate held an executive ses
sion, and then adjourned.
In the House, the resolution of Mr.
Stanly proposing to close debate on the
homestead bill on Thursday was adopted,
yeas 121 ; nays 29. The bill was then
postponed to Tuesday week, after to-day,
by unanimous consent. Being now tak
en up, Mr. Marshairof Cal. made a polit
ical speech in favor of Douglas for Presi
dent, and in reply to Mr. Breckenridge,
who questioned and rejoined. The dem
ocratic battle was quite hot. Messrs. Bell
and Cable also addressed the House. Mr.
Fuller of Maine, obtained the floor, and
the committee rose. The House ad
journed. In Senate, March 12, the private cal
endar was taken up, and 13 private bills
ordered to be engrossed, and 3 passed.
Other bills were postponed, and the Sen
ate adjourned to JVIonday.
In the House, the joint resolution au
thorizing the continuance of work on the
two wings of the capitol was taken up,
end gave rise to a long debate. Mr. Brown
A HIT- 'J ... W .A AfaA
OI miss. Illctue a. yauy tspecii, auu uwwiu-
ed the State rights democrats .against the
Union democrats of Mississippi. Mr. Wil
cox took the floor, and the following "har
monious" scene ensued.
Mr. Wilcox: said : I was informed that
I was to be devoured' this morning by my
friend, for such I hail him to be, and he is
such ; but, really, the storm is past ; the
missiles of my colleague were weak,, and
have fallen harmless at rriy feet. My col
league says that the Secession party in
Mississippi existed as a chimera, and that
there is no party in favor of secession. I
had thought that the gentleman had too
high a regard for truth as to rise and make
a declaration so baseless of truth.
Mr. Brown. I desire to ask my col
league whether he means to say that I
have been guilty ; of a falsehood ? That
inference may be left upon the minds of
some gentlemen. .
Mr. Wilcox. I have spoken boldly ;
my language cannot be misconstrued on
that point.
Mr. Brown (who was standing near the
gentleman.) Do you mean to say that
what 1 have stated is false?
Mr. Wilcox. If you mean to say that
there i3 no party in Mississippi in favor of
secession, it is false. This we believe to
be substantially the purport of the dia
logue. Mr. Brown, directly the last word was
uttered, struck. Mr. Wilcox a blow in the
face, which was returned. The parties
then closed. In a moment they were sur
rounded by the majority of the members
of the House. The utmost alarm and
excitement prevailed in every part of the
Hall. There were calls for the Sergeant-at-Arms
and the Doorkeeper. In vain the
Chairman of the committee endeavored to
enforce order. Messrs. Brown and Wil
cox were separated at about the time the
Speaker resumed the tliair amidst great
confusion. Calls were made for the Ser
geant at arms to take them into custody ;
but when the tumult subsided, Messrs.
Brown and Wilcox apologised to the
House, and there was no more of it. Mr.
Clingman's resolution to close debate on
the capitol extension bill in one hour after
the House again goes into committee, was
passed, and the House adjourned.
On Saturday last, the Senate was not
in session. Ir: the House, Mr. Polk stated
that the difficulty between Messrs. Brown
and Wilcox had been adjusted in a manner
highly honorable to the parties, who again
occupy the position which they did previous
to the occurrence. The joint resolution for
the enlargement of the Capitol was taken
up, in committee of the whole, and a long
debate followed in five minutes speeches.
The amendment appropriating $500,000
was then put and agreed to ; after which
the committee rose, and reported the amend
ment. A motion to lay the resolution on
the table was negatived, yeas 43, nays 124 ;
the amendment was adopted, and the Huse
adjourned.- .'.j
In Senate, on Monday, petitions and resolutions
of inquiry were presented; after which, the Senate
proceeded to the consideration ofthe joint resolu
tion making an appropriation for the continuation
ofthe work on the wings of the Capitol, with the
House amendment increasing the appropriation to
500,000. A debate ensued upon the propriety of
referring the resolution, in which Mr.Burland made
a violent attack upon the administrationlor extra
vagant expenditures of the public money, and call
ed upon the Democratic party to stand firm :y id re
sist this encroaching march of consolii!ationism,by
arraying themsel ves a gainst the lavish expenditures
of the irresponsible Whig head at the other end of
the avenue. Mr. Manguin replied. lie thought
there were others to blame for the increased ex
penditure by the General Government. The Sen
ator's own party were here in a majority; they had
the control of both branches of Congress. The Se
nator nrr could any one else did not pretend to
say that the administration expended a single dol
lar except by warrant and authority of law. The
blame was with the party who were in the ascen
dency here. The President could do nothing him
self; he had no troops; with both Houses of Con
gress opposed to him by large majorities, he cou id
expend only what th otter party appropria
ted. He would pursue the subject no further now,
but at some future time would reply to the gentle
man's speech. The subject was then postponed ;
and the Iowa railrrad land bill was taken up;when
Messrs.Cass and Downs advocated the passage of
the bill, and Mr. 13roadliead opposed it. The fae
nate adjourned.
In the House, Mr. Phelps called up the memo
rial of A. W. Reynolds contesting the right of
It. H. Weightman to his seat as Delegate from
New Mexico, and proceeded to speak of the char
ges made in the memorial, of corruption on the
part of Gov. Calhoun in his official capacity.
Mr. Weightman replied in defence of the Govern
or. The memoiial was then referred to the com
mittee on Elections, and the House adjourned.
THE COMING ELECTIONS.
Present indications favor a warm and in
teresting political State campaign, next
summer, for the election of Governor and
memberstf the Legislature. And already
the notes of preparation are being heard in
the land for the Presidential campaign, in
which sectional prejudices, we fear, will
again be stirred up. I
Gov. Reid will be the Democratic can
didate for re-election tq the Gubernatorial
Chair. In connection, free suffrage, or a
nother mere taste of the wholesome Reform
measure will probably be again Meld out to
the people. ' . j
The Whigs, we believe, are yet some
what in a fog, as regards their candidate
for Governor, which the Raleigh; Convenr
tion will, no doubt, dissipate, and; bring out
the most available candidate to full view.
The next Legislature will have the res
ponsible duty to perform of redistricting the
State, and the political contest for the as
cendancy in that body, will bey a warm
one- .
As we do not see how the Convention
question can be kept altogether out ofthe
canvass, it may be proper to state for the
information of the public, that all the Dem
ocratic State papers, which fall under our
notice, are opposed to a free Convention
of the People, freferfing amendments to the
Constitution by Legislative enactment,
which with all due deference to our West
ern co temporaries, seems to us like playing
into the hands of the East at the expense
ofthe West! The East has the power in
the Legislature, under the present arrange
ment of the basis of representation, to de
feat any measure in that body. Therefore
it is policy for the East to oppose a free
Convention. We, however, again say, as
there may be a difference of opinion as to
ihe propriety of a Convention, -Put the
question to the sovereign people!
But how a Western man can come out
and honestly oppose this great movement,
in which his section of the State has so
much at stake, (Representation and distri
bution of the School Fund on the White
basis,) we cannot divine, unless there ' be
sinister objects to accomplish by piecemeal
Legislative tinkering at the Constitution, in
which Politicians swe the principal actors!
However, if we mistake not the signs ofthe
times, the people are tired of this maneuv
ering, this political log rolling, and want no
more of it. And he who will not freely
tiust the- Sovereigns with the affairs of State,
is unworthy of their countenance and support.-
Salem Press. - ' v
Good deeds, though they sometimes are not re
warded iu this life, are sure to be in that beyond
the tomb.
WHIG MEETING IN PITT.
In pursuance of a call previously made
a very respectable meeting of the '-Whigs
of Pitt county, was held in the Court
House in Greenville, on Thursday even
ing, the 4th instant (being Superior Court
week,) when F. B. SaUerthwaite, Esqr.,
was called to the Chair, and in a short ad
dress explained the object of the meeting.
On motion of Dr. Elias J. Blount, J no.
A. Selby was appointed Secretary.
The meeting being thus organized, Ed
ward C. Yellowley, Esq., arose and ad
dressed the meeting, and concluded by of
fering the following resolutions foi the con
sideration of the meeting:
Resolved, That we approve the purpose
of the Whigs to hold a convention in the
city of Raleigh on the 26th of April next,
to nominate a candidate on the Guberna
torial ticket ; and also the put pose, of the
Whigs of this Congressional District to
hold a convention in the town of Green
ville on Wednesday the 5th day of May
next, to appoint Delegates to represent this
District in the Whig NationalConvention.
Resolved, That the Chairman of this
meeting appoint sixty delegates to repre
sent 'his county in the State and District
conventions.
Resolved, That while we intend unani
mously to sustain with all our zeal, what
ever thorough conservative Whig the State
convention may nominate, we nevertheless
cannot let this opportunity pa ?s, to express
our great admiration for the distinguished
personal and Whig character of John Kerr,
of Caswell , and the earnest hope we enter
tain that he may receive the nomination of
the convention.
Resolved, That in this connexion, as
citizens of our noble Slate, who glorify in
her prosperity and lament her shame, we
feel it a duty to express our regret and in
dignation at the official conduct of David
S. Reid since he became Governor- that
the course he has pursued compels us to re
gard him as an intriguing politician, and
not as a statesman as a man who looks
more to the reward of party followers than
the patriotic administration of his office
and that his conduct particularly in regard
to the improvement of Tar river, as provi
ded by an Act of the Legislature, indicates
the time-servinc and reckless partisan.
Resolved, That in Millard Fillmore we
recognise the model Statesman- the noble
and fearless Patriot the President of the
Uxiox; and that w ith him as our candi
date for the presidency, and the equally
unexceptionable Graham for the Vice Pres
idency, the Whigs of this Slate ihe people
of this State, would march to a complete
victory over the Secessionist and the Free
soiler. The question was put upon the adoption
of said resolutions, and they were unani
mosly carried. Delegates were then ap
pointed, and the meeting adjourned.
New Orleans, March 10. The De
mocratic Convention assembled at Baton
Rogue, and declared Cass the first choice
ofthe party in Louisiana, the vote being
101 for Cass to 72 for Douglas. Mr. Bu
chanan was withdrawn, and his friends
joined the Cas3 party. Resolutions were
passed, approving of the Democratic plat
form ofthe' last National Convention, and
declaring that the party will vote for any
nominee of the Baltimore Convention.
A resolution declaring, Douglas the sec
ond choice of the Convention, was voted
down.
There was no harmony in the Conven
tion, which adjourned sine die last even
ing.': ,' : . ". : - -v:
Washington, March 13. The Presi
dential receptions closed for the season last
evening and was unusually brilliant. Mu
sic's soft strains frbn. the Marine band re
verberated through the spacious halls, and
gave f animation and inspiration to ; the
scene. -
The appearance of a distinguished lady
from the Empire State, (the widow of the
late illustrious De Witt Clinton, who is now
for the first time in Washington,) wearing
the high crowned cap of Queen Elizabeth,
like unto the last cocked hat of the revolu
tion worn by President Monroe, gave in
creased interest- and when the President
appeared in the east room, sustaining with
his arm her light and graceful figure, fol
lowed by Mrs. Webster, Mrs. Graham, Mrs.
Hall, and other of the families of the Cabi
net, tltere was a profound sensation through
out the dense mass of beauty, fashion and
rank, running from the President to the
humblest citizen who chooses to occupy
the white house on these occasions. -
The rumor ofthe expedition undei Com
modore Perry bing destined to wage open
war upon the Japanese is too absurdto re
quire contradiction. If any of our citizens
have been confined and detained there,
their release and deliverance will be insist
ed on, as has been done in repeated instan
ces heretofore. The Administration has
been stigmatized as too pacific -now as
furiously belligerent.Such is tli3 madness of
party,on the eve of a great political contest.
fj-The Richmond Dispatch expresses
surprise that the circulation and populari
ty of the Southern Literary JWcsserigcr
are not greater than they are. To us, it
is a matter of no surprise at all. The mer
it of the Messenger, and its claims upon
the South particularly, are fully conceded,
yet its merit is really hid under a bushel.
No efforts are made to bring it to the no
tice of the public. The press- of the
South, we feel confident, would take pleas
ure in giving it a helping hand ; yet it is
almost if not quite impossible to get an ex
change. We venture to say that the cir
culation of two hundred exchanges with
Southern papers would secure it a thou
sand additional subscribers in twelve months
We have published its Prospectus once or
twice, and noticed occasional numbers that
have fallen into our hands, yet we have
not received a single number from the
Publisher. The Northern Magazine men
understand their business better.
(Jloldsborough Patriot.
The Maine Law. The Ohio State
Temperance Convention has voted out
the Maine Law as not calculated to pro
mote temperance, and resolved, in effect,
that a true reformation must depend upon
moral suasion. . i
- The Ohio Legislature has indefinitely
postponed the resolutions referring the
Maine Liquor Law to the vote of the peo
ple. The vote was yeas 44, nays 48.
RALEIGH TIMES.
It ALE I G II , N . C
FRIDAY MARCH 19, 18;')2.
Mr. C. W. James, No. 1 Harrison Street, Cin
cinnati, Ohio, is our General Traveling Agent for
the Western Shitce, asistpd hy John T. Dent, Dr.
J. A. VVadsworth, Alox. R. Laws, James Ruther
ford, Dr, lyitt Edwards, C M. L. Wiseman, and
H. J. Thomas..
j,Mr. Henry M. Lewis, Montgomery, Au., is oiir
General Traveling Agent for the States -.of Ala
bama and Tennessee, assisted by C. F. Lewis.
James O. Lewis and Samuel D. Lewis.
Mr. Israel K. James, No. ISi South Tenth Street,
Philada.,is our General Traveling Agent, assisted
by Win. H. Weld, John Collins, James Deering,
A. Kirk Wellington, E. A. Evans. Perin l.orke.
George P. Button. Joyeph Button, D. 11. Good in,
William J. Coxty, Isaac M. Bodine and Walter
D. Thompson.
Receipts from either of the above will be good.
gj- Some Whig presses which have late
ly taken ground against the Free Conven
tion movement, argue the question as if it
were discretionary -with the Whig State
Convention to make or unmake issues on
State Reform, and as if the WThigs of the
West were endeavoring to introduce new
matter into the Gubernatorial canvass.
This little piece of self-deception is only
equalled by the Standard's exhortation to
its brethren to "cease to refer to the past,"
with a view of getting clear of its Secess
ion heresies, and giving the go-by to nil
the Disunion proclivities of its paityin the
South. As gladly as would the Standard
throw, the "pall of oblivion" over all that
is distasteful in the past, so gladly would
these presses smother up and hide Free
Suffrage from mortal view.
Can the feat be accomplished in either
case? 'Tis just as easy in one as the oth
er. The Whigs have the Secession issue
on the Democrats and will hold them to
it. The past is on record, and no white
washing resolutions can cover it over.
The Democrats have the Free SulTrage
already in the canvass, and neither affirm
ative or negative action on the part of the
Whigs can take it out. Let us meet it
with boldness and manliness before the
people : let us advocate a measure of set
tlement at once for all the specific Reforms
pi oposed, by placing them in the hands of
the people where they rightly belong. Let
us discard all artifice, all attempts at eva
sion, abandon the false attitude of oppo
sition to popular rights, by which wfe have
heretofore been defeated, and take from
the political jugglers who are making par
ty capital out of the fundamental law, the
possession and occupancy of the public of
fices, to which, as the minority party in the
State, they have no just right and tide.
"There is no use in mincing the mattei;
if the Convention of next month, shall re.
quire its candidate, to advocate a free Con
vention, to amend the Constitution, the
people of the East will not support him.
We may as well understand each other in
the outset, in order that future heartburn
ings and mutual criminations and recrimi
nations may be avoided . ' ' - Wilmington
Herald.
We have elsewhere given our readers
the explanations of the Herald in relation
to the Whig meeting in Wilmington.-
This paper assumes to speak for "the peo
ple of the East" and the language is
quite emphatic and decided. No hope is
held out that any accommodation can be
effected between the Whigs of the West
and " the people of the East" short of
the abandonment, on the part of' the for
mer, of their desire to end the agitation of
constitutional amendments by the assem
bling of a Convention of the people for
constitutional revision.
If wV understand this matter," the senti
ment of the West in regard to a Reform
convention will not be changed by the ac
tion of any pajty or the candidates of
any party, or by the ?-csidts of the coming
Stale election. They are in favor of State
Reform, and they expect opposition from
"the people of the East." The prelimi
nary discussion upon this subject will serve
to open the eyes of many people in the
West and teach them where their true
friends are to be found.
No allusion is made to the Herald when
we say that presses which, during the ses
sion of last Legislature, were extremely
desirous of being considered ai favoring
a free Convention,' now strongly oppose
the discussion of the subject, and are con
sidered the opponents of any amendments
of the constitution in any way.
Jt is due to the Whigc of New Hanover
to say, that they do not take the Locofoco
ground upon which we understand (from
their papers) those of the Albemarle coun
try are willing to stand, namely a prefer
ence for legislative amendments but they
are opposed to all amendments, being sat
isfied with the constitution as it is, and un
willing to vote for any man who favors a
change in any waj . .
We have endeavored, with calmness
and modesty, (as becomes us,) to impress
upon the Whigs of the State the necessity
of taking some conservative position in re
gard to the free suffrage question, on which1
the masses of the party may act together,
and carry the State elections. We are
met again and again by the question,
" What has the Constitution of Nonl
Carolina to do with a mere contest between
parties?" Is it not a sufficient answer to
say that from a victorious, we are now ai
defeated parly ? Reform by piecemeal is;
conceded by the one parly all reform is
denied by the other and while this state'
of things shall last, opposition to popular'
rights will throw the balance against the'
Wings j until they become a hopeless mi
nority in the Stale. . j
A rally has been attempted at the two
last elections upon the ground of opposi
tion to Free Suffrage per se, as a mere
humbug and electioneering device. Are
we to learn no wisdom from the past ?
Has no lesson been taught us by the suc
cess of the party which started it, and the
incipient success of the measure itself?
The success of that measure by the Leg
islative mode is the success of the party
which supports it, and which depends up
on it ALONE for its triumph in the Slate.
I r I ' 1 1 i f oi i )-r-i t i f rnnilnntA will nnt i wv
dragged from it. It is the GREAT GUN
of the campaign ; and all National issues,
will be mere fire crackers compared witlu
it. Gov. Reid is a prudent and sagacious
politician clear-sighted to sec his advan tage,
and demagogue enough to a-zail,him-sclf
of it. You may put your Whig can
didate upon the stump, ami let hiin go it
like lightning, thunder and';aarthquakes
upon National politics. The Gfcwmon
will slide over them all, with great dexter
it-, and declaim until he is hoarse upoi
Free Suffrage ! Free Sidlirage ! ! Free
Suffrage ! ! ! 1
Now this is very plum, spereking, but.
we appeal to the vfnprejiiditcfd good senses
and candor of fey'r-mindetf men wliethorr
we do not represent- the condition of things
truly. It is for the Whig State Conven
tion to decide whclh cr-Ktiy antJ what grounds
shall. be maintained by the candidate of"
the Whig party. It is impossible for us to-change-
in our advocacy of a free and open.
Convention of tlie people. Kul we shall
defer to the- wisdom of the only properly
constituted expotwnt ef the Whig senti
ment of the State, ami support their, nom
inee in all fidelity as becomes-a true Whig;
who yields to no one in zeal for the hon
or and success of the party.
Qc$ Sensible people, who look calmly up
on the discussions of the newspaper world
may well be astonished at the unaffected
squcaniishness, not to say unfeigned terror,,
with which the presses of the East regard
the idea of a Convention of the people for
the amendment of the Constitution. That
great humbug that the wealth of the State
is to govern in the distribution of political!
power has got to be exploded. (The num
ber of white males in the State is 272,369.
The number of land owners, as given in
the census returns,is 56,91(3 not one-fourth'
and about one-third of those land own
ers live in the East, and rule and govern
every tiling ! Equality of political rights has
never been known in North Carolina ! The
astonishment is that any free people otv
earth has ever submitted to such a govern
ment ! i
MEETING IN WILMINGTON.
The Herald, of the 13th, brings to our
knowledge that great dissatisfaction exists
in consequence of the passage of a resolu
tion at the late Whig meeting,; affirming;
that the Republican mode of amending
the Constitution is by the people them
selves in Convention assembled j and sev
eral of the Delegates appointed to the State
Convention have publicly declined attend
ing, in consequence. We give the com
mencement of the Herald's article, by way
of explanation : j
''"We wish to say a few words about the
Whig meeting, which was held in Mason
ic Hall, on Monday evening last. As far
as, numbers are concerned it was a failure,
a small portion of the party only being
present. We stop not to inquire the rea
son of this, but merely announce the fact.
Ample notice was given, and if gentlemen
thought proper to absent themselves from
the meeting, they alone are to blame for
its short coinings. They are not justified
in censuring its action, because it was their
duty to have given to the deliberations the
benefit of their advice and votes. Con
siderable dissatisfaction, we learn exists in
consequence of the passage of Mr. Lor
ing's resolution. When all things are ta- -ken
into consideration, the thinness of
the meeting the circumstances under
which this resolution was introduced, and
the vote upon its passage, .it will be divest
ed of that importance which seems to be
attached to it. We presume it will not be
contended, even by the mover, that it is a
true reflex of the popular sentiment of the
Whigs of Wilmington, or that it can be
regarded as committing them at ail to the
measure of which it treats. The people
of this section are with their brethren in all
the Eastern counties on the subject of the
Convention question. They are opposed
to it, decidedly and firmly. We assert it
without the fear of contradiction.','
Murder.- We learn that a man call- ,
ed Billy Falkner was killed in Franklin
on the 1 1th instant, having been shot by a'
Mr. Bledsoe, after due warning. ' Falk
ner was attempting to remove Dledsoe's
fence, which gave rise to the quarrel. He
was quite a lesperate character, having'
been heretofore branded for ths manslaugh
ter of a relation of this same Bledsoe some
years ago. We have not heard all the
particulars but the world is very well rid. ,
of Billy-Falkner oil any terms.