Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-03-29

The Southern Press and the Nashville Convention
We find it very frequently urged as an argument
against the Nashville Convention, that the majority
of the Southern people are opposed to it and one OF
our town cotemporaries has even went so far as 20
assert that the great orty Of his exchanges are
also out in opposition to that movement. we nave
seen the statement of that cotcmporary-the Wat-
mington Chronicle-going the rounds OF the 1eoefal
nress in this State; and although certainly opposed
tn orr own exnerience and observation, we did not
feel at liberty to contradict it because we have no
desire to question any ones veracty and his exchan
pes NAV be. and no doubt are, different in tone from
ours Yet since we find our experience this point
borne out by that of the N. Y Herald, we feel less
diffdence in expressing opinion, which is this
that our contemporary has either been mistaken in
his calculation, that his exchanges must harmon
ze with himself and upon this question are decided
y behind the age, and fail to give expression to the
feelings of the Southern people.
The New York Herald, most excellent authority
in news matters says that probably two-thirds OF
the papers published at the South are taken at that
Office and that out of any hundred of them, seventy
five are in favor of the Convention, and twenty-five
either neutral or moderately opposed to it. 1t the
newspaper press of the South may be taken as any
indication of public opinion, vast majority of the
Southern people in favor of the Convention. All
the Democratic journals of the South without excep-
ton, and two-thirds of the Wing newspapers are
united more or less strongly in favor of the same
movement-that Of having a meeting at Nashville,
and consulting upon the present state of the country
The Herald adds, that 1.-The only opposition to the
movement which we can perceive in the Southern
newspapers, arises from few neutral or Whigpres5-
es in some of the large ctiespresses which may be
supposed to be under the influence of Northern minds
or intellects.' =
We wish to impugn the motives of no man, who
NAV be opposed to this movement. We wish to Gull
tivate and promote friendly and harmonious feelings,
so necessary TO the South at this time and to avoid
all personal illusions and remarks calculated to pro-
duce unpleasant feelings; but while we do so, we
must claim an equal amount Of courtesy from the
opposite party We regret to say that such has not
been the course pursued by the anti Conventionis
press. The advocates of the Convention have been
denounced demagogues, disunionists, and traitors
and Representative from North Carolina-Mr
STANLY-in the House of Representatives. expressed
hope that the people of Nashville would drive the
traitors meaning the delegates)-into the Cum
berand river. Such language does not express anc
is not calculated to produce proper state of feeling
Neither can we recognize the good taste of sneers
the conductors of public papers friendly to the Con
tcntion, because the said conductors do not harper
to be largely endowed with this worlds goods an
consequently not, to any great extent slavehod
n ers. If newspaper discussions confined to mat
tiers in which the Editors could plead this sort of in
terest, fear that their columns would possess YER
little variety for, God help the fellows, believ
that in general, they disgracefully poor, an
consequently devoid of moral character" at least
the estimation of certain ignorant pdrUenues, VIII
SEEM in the mysterious ways of Providence, to hav
sort of permissve existence, for the purpose of dem
onstrating how totally the possession of none
must fail in constituting gentleman, or even ma
of common sense and common decency.
o One thing we do know: our paper circulates NOR
n largely among the agricultural population of tn
seventh district than any oherpaper than all othe
papers combined; and we also knoaC that its view
upon this question meet response from almost
ry of its readers and not to be told tina
those readers-the very bone and sinew Of the cour
tryare not directly interested in this matter an
have not right to speak and be heard upon it,
o That conscientious differences of opinion exist W
q on this, upon all other questions, have sol
of doubt; and for such honest differences, we hay
the highest respect; but must confess that "
have neither patience charity to waste upon tho:
o whose only arguments sneers at their opponent
or misrepresentation and denunciation of their M
tiyes.