Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-10-03
sontbe,n nugIness aud Politics.


The precise state of things at The South IS almost
without a parallel. Never before, within so short
lime of presidential election there SO little
animation or apparent excitement. Interest there IS
certainly felt but not of the same character that
which distinguished former contests. There is
deeper and different feeling, one looking beyond the
present monochrome connected with issues OF higher
Importance than mere party triumphs What would
avail this or that local partizan success the
country be gone What the use of national par
~ if national or confederate existence can no longer
be honorably preserved. Politics are, at the South
no longer the madness of the hour, save with the
reckless or unthinking. There is suIlen quietude
and apparent indifference 20 consequences which
shows foregone conclusion The South has de-
termined upon its course, and it remains tor Inc
North to do ikewise upon the direction which that
course may take will depend the issue which must
be met 1t is at the North that the battle has 10 be
fought 1t is there that the struggle is going on )
there and in some of the border States like Maryland
where there may be some chance for Fillmore.
1t is hardly now political contest at the South
1t is an effort after Southern unity for the protection
of Southern rights in the Union and for co-opera-
ton to the same end should the last resort of dsun-
ion be rendered inevitable This strange and unex-
ampliied calm is ominous than the Wild
est excitement, or the loudest noise 1t shows a
mind made up to either alternative and careless OF
either. If we can have fair and equal Union with
nnt constant fuss, worrment, interference and re-
elimination very well. If We cannot, very we'll too
we are tired of a Union with enemies on any
such terms Is not this state of things apparent
It certainly is general throughout this State, and so
far as we can see throughout most OF the Southern
State with the exception of two of The barber
States where Mr. Fmores friends affect TO think he
has some chance, and so keep up talking.
Partizan prejudces and antipathies carry men
] farther than partizan attachments. The opposition
seem very easily to have shut1ed off all their former
partv ties and Names but amid all their changes and
turnngs to have preserved the one ruling instinct OF
opposition to Democracy, in obedience to which
Fillmore men in Pennsylvania unite with Fremont
men upon a common State ticket composed OF the
bitterest Free Soilers and at the South calling
themselves & Old Line Wings 60 for the candidates
of an order which had proclaimed their party ruined
by its own corruptlcns. This opposition to Democ
racv is the common feeling which peHades all the
isms of the day. and forms the common bond o
union in both sections But many, very many OF TIT
first minds both at the Norm ana Tue Soutn nav
nobly risen superior such impulses and g
as patriots for the interests of their country. Ih
result of the contest rapidly approaching will
show how far the Efforts of the true friends of III
country have been crowned with or sub ecte
to failure May not trust that, come what may
the menaced section will be united, and not SUITE
her strength to be dissipated by suicidal divisions
For the promotion of this object We shall labor, leaV
ing to the management of others who have NOR
, immediate concern in them, events which W
here have little or no control.
Even the business movements of the Souther
States are marked by the reserve which distir
cuisines their politics. The commercial papers {
the North surprised to find the purchases of South
ern merchants so unprecedenedly light in view {
the immense money value Of Southern exports, e1
- ceedng those of any former year. New Orlean
. Mobile Charleston and Savannah have shipped mo-
- moneys worth of produce than during any season
the history of the country. The amount Of goo(
going to the sections for which these ports form II
outlet are nominal, when compared with former year
:, This is another significant indication.