Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-03-21
oc.- We find in the Herald of Wednesday commu

tiser" of some sixteen years gone by.
This communication, and the references made IN
it. appear to be drawn out by remarks in answer
10 attacks upon the action of the County Court IN
the matter of the election of Inspectors In order TO
sustain the charge of prescription against the mags-
trates, Justice goes back to 1888 and 1871 we
must confess that, in doing the author OF that
communication goes beyond our personal knowledge
of local matters in this county, of which we were
no then resident, and, we had Teen, 1T is
hardly probable that we would have taken cognl- |
zance of such matters, as we then wanted several
wears of having arrived at that period when much
interest is taken in such things. One thing we dol
know and that is that we have seen and talked with
Wing Inspectors within the last seven years. yea,
within less time than that and that the election OF
SUCH within recent period, is matter OF notorlev
No doubt the recent action of the County court Was
predcated upon the belief of the magistrates that
in not electing Know-Nohngs to othce' they were
simply excluding those whose obligations to their or
der or party required of them TO exclude all others
from office, and who had therefore no right to COM
plain if the poisoned chalice were applied to their
own lips
We never sought any Office, and never held any,
and therefore, have sort of personal interest IN
such matters. But we are partzans IN the fullest
sense of the word We 60 for fair chance all round
If Democrats are be turned out, or kept out, by
Know. Nohings, where they have the power, they
must expect that the same measure which they me'e
Will be measured out to them again, and that Demo-
Gratis when their turn comes will protect themselves
The town Authorities take their course-so be II
We have no more to say The County Court takes
it's course-very we'll The Democrats simply take
up the gauntlet thrown down to them. Who could
expect them, or anybody else, to act differently
The issue is made, every body knows It, and there is
no use in grumbling Suppose the K. N. order were
10 elect their President, of course every Democrat
would be turned out of office Where they have
carried any local election they have done so too-
Well that being the case, the Democrats pay them
back in their own coin and so far as we know, the
Democrats say nothing-make no pledges to the con-
trary; so long, least local matters are to be made
test questions.
But the Know Nothing party was to cover over all
that had passed. 1t to have nothing 10 do with
former party divisions, and yet Justice goes back
sixteen 10 eighteen years to revive the quareIs and
fight the battles of the " dead Wing party. Ger
tanly this looks to say the least somewhat nconsis-
tent-at any rate, at variance with the professions
made by the order.
The fact about it is, that political parties will APP
point their political friends 10 public office, and that
any party that processes not to do must violate its
professions, as was abundanty shown after TIE Pres
Dental contest of 1848. The introduction of this in
to municipal matters in this State, at least oates with
the rise of the new Order, and if blame attaches to
such introduction, the Order must bear it, AS things
stand now, it is a fixed fact and Democrats take it az
they find it, and, so far we know, don't pretend
to say that they won't send good as they get
o The Commissioners of town 60 simply with their Or
der or party, and simply chargeable as their par
ty is chargeable, and not as individuals.
: The charge of prescription against that order o
Il party is based upon the fact that it goes beyond thu
i limits of political action, to interfere with things TO
n which men are either not responsible at ALL or onl,
e responsible to their God That Democratic presi
dent should choose to enrus the carrying out of biz
administrative policy 10 those who believe in and de
sire the success Of such policy rather than to thos
who oppose it, is perfectly natural, and it is right
the same principle in political matters pervades every
department of public business, and is recognized
q being within the Iegitmate bounds of political action
v and is so acted upon by all parties. But the X. N
. order goes beyond this 1t says, "you may agree
with us IN a certain measure OF measures Vi puOI
$ policy; you may have done your duty man, ant
citizen, but all that avais you nothing, you dom
q worship God to suit notions and we claim tn
right to step in between your God and your con
science, and to say that unless you come into GU
! rule in that respect you shall, so far as our powe
- extends, be ncapacated from aspiring TO any pub
lie trust or Office. Or, again, you were not born Il
y suit 1t is true, you were very young when tina
. important event in your history occurred, and al
= though present upon the occasion, it is very ques
tionable whether you have any recol ection of tn
" affair, or had any influence in determining where
should come off 1t may have been your misfortun
. to have been born elsewhere, but We will impute
:, TO you as fault "Upon these two points hang a
: the law and the prophets of the Order.
IN That gentlemen may be perfectly honest and sin
"a cere in their prejudIces, no candid man who ha
70 paid any attention 10 history to the observance
w mankind will for moment deny and therefore
10 would he wrong TO deny the possession of such hor
.s esty and sincerity to the great body of those VIII
= have been drawn into the Know Nothing order {
IS organization. But while this is freely conceded,
~ by no means follows that the excitement of sue
~ prejudcies is fair or proper basis for the O
!; ganzaton of great partyi aspiring to control tn
destinies of great Republic, that it is IN acco
:; dance with the genius of the American peopl
the spirit of their institutions, or the tone of the
y history that it can be productive of good result
49, Nor can it be believed that any order party,
= based, long retain the confidence of free, fire.
g minded and liberal people Yet such is unquestio
- ably the basis of the ow-Nothng movement.
.bo II