Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-10-10
The Signs of the Times.

We are frequently asked by our friends and &C.
quaintance :, how the thing is going? What do we
think of it and To all such enquiries, we
only rel by referring TO publicly expressed
opinions in the columns of the Journal. We do not
think privately thing and say publicly another.
To-day we are comparatively without mails; at
least, the number of our exchanges is SMALL and
those we have received present few items of striking
interest. In the absence of such, we may as well
vail ourselves of the opportunity presented to US,
and indulge in some remarks upon the prospects OF
the Presidential canvass now going on throughout the
country.
Had the election for Presdentcome some weeks
ago, we think it exceedingly probable that Fremont
under the first flush of excitement gotten up after his
nomination. would have carried every Northern State
n which he was not well known. California, in
which he qgas known and had been known for years,
had already repudiaed him. But the time which has
interviewed as afforded opportunities for canvassng
his claims MS character and his capabilities as we'll
as the characte and aims of his supporters. 1t has
also given scope for serious reflection upon the
quences which must inevitably flow from his election.
1t has exposed the tricks and double dealing Of the
reckless fanatics or designing demagogues who are
using him as their tool. 1t has elected the opinions
OF leading conservative statesmen, VINO nave HooIy
dsregarded the shackles imposed by former party
tagonisms, and who now rally for the safety of the
country, believing, with Judge Nisbett, OF Georgia.
that " the Democratic party is the only national party
which the troubles of the times have left to honest
men," All these things have worked vast change
in the aspec is af the canvass. They have gathered
together the united South the banners of DemOcra
cy. They have evoked the national, conservative
Spirit of the North, and rallied it under the same
banners and in support of the same candidates. We
have endeavoed to inform ourselves of the extent OF
the reaction and the effects produced by it, and to be
produced by it between this day and the fourth day
ofNovember, ana feel no hesitation in expressing
our belief that the result of the election to be held on
that day will be the choice of majority of Buchanan
and Breckenridge electors-that James Buchanan and
John C. Breckenridge will be the next President and
Vice President of the United States This is our In
dlvldual opinion, given such, and for what 1t Is
worth. 1t is perfectly useless to talk about Mr.
Fillmore when expressing serious opinion. Ever
his own friends do not seriously deny that if in the
race at ALL he Will be the last. Bets certainly
arguments. but sometimes indications of the be
lief of those making them. Last week gentleman
offered, through the columns of the Journal, to be
500 that Mr.. Fillmore would be last in the race
that he would receive smaller number of eecora
votes than either of his competitors, and tool
him up, although other bets were taken up. We d.
not give this as an argument, but as an INDICATION o
opinion.
These are our present opinions. Should event
change or modify them we will as freely give pac
to such change modification as we do to this state
ment of them.