Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-06-02

speech On motion of w. H. Watson, Esq, the
secretary was requested 10 forward copy OF these
proceedings to the Editors of the Wilmington Journal
for publication, with request that the other town pa
pers would copy.
] w EVANS, Chairman
POWELL BLACKmAE, Secretary
To THE EDITORS OF THE JOURNAL:
There is TO word in the English language III more
general use and, at the same time less understood,
than tie word Libertg 1t is in the mouth of eve
~ cap-trap orator. whatever may be The subject he
holds forth upon, and is defined by him to
right to abuse every person with whom be may differ
in opinion-the privilege of debating 10 his fellow
what he shall think speak OF do-he himself being
perfectly uncontrolled in short the liberty of being
always in the right.
These remarks have suggested themselves to me
By the perusal of the proceedings of the various
niversary meetings held lately in New York. From
the loud bray of the Iabid abolitionst down to the
squeak of the advocate of g Women's Rights" this
definition of Liberty has been fully sustained. Ten
or more of the speakers controverted subjects
deemed necessary to furnish proof TOR Their pecu-
liar notions II sufficient that the taVorite shib-
boleth was pronounced and multItudeS senselessly
echoed the sound ike so many sheep following the
bell wether If but the least hint was given that
there might be room for discussion-that the moderate
drinker-the STAKEHOLDER, the advocate of Mems
Rights might have something 10 say for themselves,
the howl of the whole pack in full cry was heard
kns Of former days.
In ali ages Of tic world Might has been considered
right but in no age has the pill been beautifn ~
gled as in the present TIC thinking mind the
tent of the self,decepton practsed in this matter
must be Misunderstanding ii does at the safety of
society 1t is the right of private judgment TO
seed carried to an extent subveTsive of all law and
good order. This illustrated at an abolition
meeting on the occasion referred TO where one of the
speakers surely misnamed Reverend, Is reported by
/ NJ Nor1H Thar I0 confJ.
ments to have said that Franklin Pierce" the Chief
Magistrate of this nation, should be sold slave"
The dav once was when the utterance of such
timent would have cost the same Reverend his ears,
whatever might be their length, and he has reason
to be thankful that the main tainance of dignity
adavs does not require such sacrifices. Circumstances
might occur when their utterance would be justified
by the improper conduct of the Ruler, but, in this in
sfance the words were provoked simply because the
views of the President and the gentleman, regarding
slavery, did not agree-because he not prepared
at once to pronounce the shibboeth of the party
There is doubt the speaker tanced himself an adj
vocae of liberty but after all he but tyrant in
disguise, and as all probability there were number
of other little tyrants in cOmpany--lf they hadn't
had the might the President would have been can
demned TO run the gauntlet of torture. What COM
fort it is that hitherto these animals have been pre-
vented from doing more than showing their teeth.
General Pierce has been elected to his high Office be-
a majority of his fellow citizens considered him
1t.
krow the pass word. say this reverend entleraans
speech illustrates The manner in which The pill is gid
ed, and the extreme danger to society by such use,
or rather abuse, of liberty
1t may be thought by that these Reverend
gentlemen are few-wOud that ii were So but alas.
the evil is widespread and the face of society
Take for instance the advocates of IL voluntary sup
port Of religion, they torn large majority of the
world. and they profess believe that compulsory
measures with regard 10 the worship of God produce
results the very opposite ct those sought to De 0h
tanned. Yet large numbers OF the most jealous
OF them petitionns for a compulsory observance of
the Sabbath, secureI by enactments of that Legisa-
ture which they fercely maintain has no right to
interfere in eslasticai matters Again, the advo
Gates of the Maine Liquor Law would consider their
liberties destroyed, and there would be end to their
angry circumstances if the government Of the country
! were to enact law that every individual should be
compelled to mbibe ''the poison every day under
pain Of inc Yet. see with what self complaccncy
these very men petition the Legislature that their
fellow citizens shall be compelled not to nbibe liquor
under severe penalties There is also the abolitonst
who brags loudly that his house is his cast!e-denies
that any one cot legally authorized to do so has a
right to ask him how he made his money, whether
honestly or otherwise; and would at take up
arms to defend his property. See that same abolition
ist Insisting that his fellow ctisen shall be forced to
give up his property without being paid for it, be-
he $50 he says) did not get it honestIy-aidng
and abeng the plundererS OF that property and be-
cause ne cannot get the government TO legalZe ms
meditaed oppresson--cooliy proposing to sell the
person of his President The self deception practised
by these several parties and by many others thai
might be naned is complete. Tell them that they
are in bondage to prejudce, ignorance the love Of
popularity. and you will be las one that mocks y
} They in the position st. Peter describes wher
} speaking of certain parties. he says: awhile they
promise them liberty they themselves are the servant.
Of sip,"
How different is true berty-that liberty which
proves all things, holding fast what Is good-whict
throws aside the shackles of party and, refusing tc
be the slave OF prejudice stands forth in the indie
e pendence of assured truth.
i is right TO be the desire of every right minded
citizen to acquire he sturdy independence of thought
and to find out the truth of matters for himself Th
facilities for doing this in the present day are create
than ever they were, and no man has aught but hi
own Incidence to blame for adopting sentiments Sc
e cond hand, How many foolish prejudices would fly
!; before such course? How many victims of party
, blindness would find the scales drop from their eyes
If any one is induced by these humble remarks t
e pause and reflect, and in future, Judge and act TO
e himself, the utmost wishes of the writer will b.
gratfed. OMICRON.
~ Later from California.
NEw Yong, May 24.-The steamer North Star
. from Aspnwall has arrived, bringing 200 passen
gers and $3.50, 200 in gold. The principal consgnee
are American Exchange Bank $4,000 Duncan {
Sherman 81 40. 600 ] Clifford $40 OO0