Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-05-14
THE WILMINGTON JOURNAL.
wIaMIxGroN. N. G.. FRIDAY. MAY IA. 1859.
No False Issue.


We do not think it necessary or proper for the
Democratic party to be led off in the next canvass
to the discussion of false or fegned ISSUE and thus
allow their opponents to shrk the real point of va
rance in State politics. Our position is based upon
Equal Suffrage, and such other safe and proper a.
mendments of the Constitution as may be attained
in a safe and constitutional manner. At all times
the Democratic party is conservative of constitution
al land Marks and in favor of rigid construction
of the fundamental law and at this time, and at
this uncture of national affairs especially, they
Jealous of any acknowledgement to the making of
any issue that might have tendency to array one
portion of the State against another--that might
virtually place the federal and white basis in antag
onism to each other-or that might, in fact, result
in the growth of free soil feeling in the non-save-
holding portions of the extreme West in opposition
the slaveholdng interests and representation in the
East. Such being the case--such the position of
aairs-we repeat most positively that we desire to
make no issue upon the question of Convention or
no Convention IF that issue be made, it must be
forced upon us.by our opponents; and before they
can force it upon us, they must show their own
hands--they must tell whether hey are for
Convention not. They have started the agitation
let them explain their ends and motives The
time may, and we hope will soon come when trade
and mutual intercourse by assimilating the people
of the East and West, will have done away with
conflicting interests and prejudices, and when a
Convention viii cease to be looked at from section
al poin. Of view, and may be quietly and safely
called. In the meantime, the Constitution has d.
rectly and emphatically pointed out the mode of
mending any of its provisions by legislative
A., 10
dictated by the popular will, without calling into
exercise the merely inferental powers of a Con-
yenton. at time when such exercise would be op-
posed to the Wishes and obnoxious to the suspicious
of nearly half the State. Indeed, it is mere than
doubtful whether Convention could be called for
twenty years to come, with the hearty consent of
the East.
Viewing the matter in this light the whole ques-
ton at present resolves itself into Equal Suffrage
not Equal Suffrage. This Convention hubbub a.
mounts to just nothing at all, unless it be
lent cover under which to oppose all amendments.
If it did amount to anything at all, would regard
it dangerous in the extreme, under existing Cir
cumstances:' Let the Equal Suffrage bill be passed
by the next Legislature, and ratified. it certany
will be, by the people and the movement will be
defeatcd--it will be banked of its object-the de-
feat of Equal Suffrage.
For our own part, we should keep our eyes fixed
upon the real object, and not let attention be d.
verified from by side issues which tend to present
agitation, but have practical effect, far
their pretended object concerned for twenty years
to come ; cunning heads and experienced hands were
engaged in the concoctng of the resolutions of the
Wing Convention, but they must certainly have sup
posed the Democrats stupid indeed if they expected
to divert their attention and efforts from the real OBJ
ect, in order to combat such efhgy of platform
or issue they have trumped up.