Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-07-20
To the Voters of the Third District, and of the
State generally.

Vass totally unexampled IN the annals OF political
contests in North Carolina one which has already
produced more hard feelings and art-burnings than
any which has ever preceded it. and one which, we
fear, may yet produce still more injurious conse.
quences. Why is this How has this state of
things arisen and where is it TO end
These are questions of deep and serious import. |
Questions which come home to the heart of every
citizen who loves his couniry-to the heart of every
Democrat who feels that the safety and prosperity of
that country depend under God, upon the continued
maintenance of those principles of Democratic poll
cy which have conducted her 10 her present high
position among the nations of the earth.
Ibis state of things has evidently arisen from the
introduction of new and secret element nto poll
tics AN element which separates the members of
particular orer from their fellow citizens by the OBJ
legation OF oa,h--whch, until recently, required
OF such members denial even of the existence OF
such an or which called up"a the u to refuse
their confidence and the rght.hand of fellowship to
their nearest neghbor and oldest friend at the South
while it ledgued them in the bonds of political broth
erh0od with the fanatics of the North This new
order imposed upon lis members the necessity eff con-
ceament with all its inevitable hypocrices so gall
ing 20 honorable minds, while ii allowed Them to pass
wings democrats while they were really bound
by oath In party which processes to have arisen up.
en- the ruins Of such parties. What could result from
all this but evil and evil continually. The estrange-
ment of friends-the destruction If confidence be-
tween man and man, and resort to shifts and eva
slone of which the mpynbers them elves must have
been earthly sick. The Philadelphia Council did
TWO things. 1t promulgated platform which the
whole Northern portion of the order "spits upon -
and also allowed each member of the order to &C.
knowledge his own connection with it. But lis real
business is sill taAsaced in secret Council, ana the
only pubic meetings Cor the porpose Of roping
fAe people INTO endorsing the movements made in Sc
cret Council by sworn membels
But again, this new party, order, or secret society,"
which prTports to have arisen upon the ruins of
others, cnnta o in lis socaled principles or motives
OF action, elements which have always given cause
for dissertations and even bloodShed. The cardinal
principles OF the new order if principles they can be
o"IIed, are consolidaon-thc Union being placed in
lhelF Platform a. the paramount good, above the Con-
shuton and The rights of The States ;-religious in
tolerance and The prescription of men on account Of
their nth place. The history Of the world from the
earl'e't ages. has sLown that politics and religion
c"nnot be mingled with impunity. They never have
been, and they will be. And indeed, so deep
Iy did the trainers OF federal government feel
upon this subject that express amendment was
made 10 the constitution TO prevent Congress from
making laws at all OF the sui iecl of religion and our
constitutional con' enton swept the last remnant of
religious Intolerance among Christians from the fun
damental law of North Carolina VIII the voters
consent 10 be LED into opposed TO the prnci.
Piles of the Constitution of the Union and of their
own State, at the dc,ation of secret oath bound,
understanding order of Northern parenage? 1t
cannot be.
Are they willing to surrender the State 10 secret
despotism, which, in accordance with the 9Th section
of the Slh article of lis State Constitution, assumes
the right to call up and try member of the Legis
lature who refuses 10 sacrifice his oath under the
Constitution TO the behests OF the State Council, and
the same with the members of Congress, we suppose
And a member of the order who twice neglects to
vote for the nominee of such order is to be erpeed
published as a traitor and peiurer unworthy the
notice of good men. Why, the much talked-of IN
QUESTION could not compare with such an engine of
tyranny and oppression, attempted to be set u in
the middle of the 10th century, in the midst OF the
freest people on Gods earth
TO our readers, in and out of the district more es.
peciaIIy our Democratic readers would seriously
put the question, are you, can you be prepared
u dSslsl uulluIHS up SUCH tyranny DIS IAts, ny
supporting the nominees of party which has intro
duced such an element of discod and decentralization
into political conests-whch threatens the peace of
the countryside freedom of religious belief, and the
enjoyment of vested rights.
Why should Southern Democrats desert their own
party? Why should Southern men, of any party.
go into " Third Degree . with party which, with
out exception at the North, fuses with Free Solism,
to put down an administration whose devotion to III 2
constitutional rights Of the South has awakened the
ire and brought down the denuncialons of Northern
tanatcism. Ga what point have the rights of the
South suffered since the election of President Pierce
We hear camor-Andtew Jackson DonrIson did not
get foreign mission, and somebody else did not get
something else, thars tie explanation of the whole
fuss.
Tue Democratic party in this district held con-
vPntion in Clinton, on Tuesday of Sampson Superior
Court That convention WIS fully attended, and its
choice fell upon Warren Winslow, ESQ. Of Cumber
land county--a sound democrat and gentleman of
acknowledged ability and high character whose tai
EMS will reflect creG'; upon the district. The con-
vention was open and above board. The doors were
held back TO the walls. MIR Reid is the K. NJ. or as
he calls himself the American candidate" The
convention, council, or whatever it may be called
which brought bin OUT, met in an old brick house in
Eliza osthiown, secretly, silently, with the doors
closed and under oath This is the real state of the
case. MIR Reid was always and at ali times cand
date for something while in the democratic ranks
In the X. n ranks, Of course he keeps the old bu