Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-07-31


comnlsins that the Wilmington Journal has been
unjust and indiscriminae in its attacks upon that
naper The Journal in common with hundreds OF
Democratic papers at the South, included by the
Union in its sweeping condemnation of all who felt
called upon to protest against the language of Mr..
Walkers Inaugural address, might retort with the
accusation, with the great and essential advantage
of having truth upon its side.
The Union ought to have been more cautious in its
cassifcations, and less hasty in placing National
Democratic papers side by side with the disorganzing
Abolitonists of the North, and its coadlutors and
its followers, like the Richmond Enquirer, might.
with propriety, have abstained from charging con-
spiraCy" against the administration upon those who
have been lis consistent supporters
But the Union says that it has I" studously re-
Trained from giving opinion to the proprlety or
improperly of the offending expressions in Gov.
Walkers inaugural address, and in his subsequent
address at Topeka; repeatedly declaring that on this
part or branch of the controversy, it arms nothing
and denies nothingr" Now this apart or branch of
the controversy" is the controversy itself 1t con-
tains the whole matter objected 10, and since, with
reference to it, the Union felt called upon to- affirm
nothing and deny nothing" becoming sense OF what
is due to others ought 10 have led at leasto affirm
nothing with respect 10 the motives of those who could
not sanction these offensive expressions OF Governor
Walker. It really valves the whole matter at issue,
and vet condemns those whose position it studiousy
abstains from controverting, and this in tone and
manner even more offensive than lis matter. We
are pleased to see, however, that the Union is dis
posed to abate its tone Of offence, and reason upon
the matter. The Democratic presses OF the South
are sincerely anxious to avoid the appearance OF
division or wrangIing, and for that purpose will SUI
fer and forbear much-anythng indeed that does
not involve sacrifice of principle or independence.
SO far as the question of submitting the Constitu
ton of Kansas 10 fair vote Of bona fde citizens goes
we have no objection 10 make. AS opinion of our
own we are free to say that we would like to see it
done under proper safeguards. We do not object to
the language employed by the Union in defining
what is meant by {" the people" of Kansas. 1t Gays:
But who the people! What shall be the qualifca-
ons of voter the constitution when to be sub
mitted We that this is the convention to set
tie Those who think that the convention might declare the
constitution in full force by virtue of their own Will, can
hardly deny that they might append to it condition re-
curing be first approved by the people If they can
do they what classes of persons shall be count
cd being part of the people The convention that formed
the federal constitution exercised this power when they refer
red their constituents he States and prescribed that
their appreciation should be given withheld by State
ventions The constitution of Virginia submitted to
the votes enranchsed by the convention for the first
time Of course the Kansas convention will see that every
proper guard thrown around the legal voter and that his
bona fde intention to remain Territory tested by
previous residence of sufficient length We should say that
the qualifications required to make legal voter Wmdr the
the constitution ought entte nhabtant to vote upon
it-for against its adoption
With this we agree in the main, while do not agree
with the assertion that every inhabitant who may
happen 10 be in the Territory any particular day
named should have voice in deciding matter be-
longing to the legally qualified citizens alone neither
can we see any warrant for the assertion uttered
threat hat unless certain course be pursued, Con-
gress will reject No particular course is prescrl-
bed by the organic law, which simply says that when
admitted a State or States the said Territory, or
any portion Of the same, shall be received into the
Union, with or without slavery, as its constitution
may prescribe at the time of their admission. We
are pleased TO that the Union adopts the position
with regard TO the qualification of voters, which we
have uniformly sustained. The whole question as to
whether the constitution of Kansas shall be submitted
TO the vote of the people," as also what shall be
meant by the people, belongs exclusively to the le
gally constituted authorizes of Kansas and Whchev.
er way that question may be decided, no outside OBJ
lection can fairly be made afterwards, any more
than outside pressure ought to be brought TO bear in
advance. We say nothing about Mr.. Walkers ar
gument against slavery in Kansas, as the Union does
not defend that.
One great cause of the heart.burning and i'll feeling
which has unfortunately arisen in this connection, has
been the mistaken mate placed upon the character
of the objections raised 10 portions of Mr. Walkers
inaugural address. That opposition was not the re-
suit of factiousness. 1t was the result of honest
conviction. That some disunionists, per Sc,
may have seized upon it, is not to be denied,
but the most conservative Democrats Of the
South were found among, and, indeed, formed
the chief strength of those Directing yet, without
waiting 10 ascertain the real position of things with
out being even prepared TO defend the matters oh.
ected to, class of organs, anxious TO display their
zeal, sprang forward to utter indiscrimnate Genunc
ations to class all who did not approve Mr.. Wal
kers address, with secessionists disunionists, CO..
operators with the abolition presses of the NORTH
The semi.ocial character attributed to the illusions
of some of these presses added to the difficulty, bv
giving undue importance to their utterances. What
wonder, then that an indignant spirit was aroused,
and that men spoke and wrote in a manner expires.
sive of the feelings thus arousede
The thing now stands thus, at least such is the
tone of the last Union &c To be sure Gov Walker
placed in trying position, may bave used language
without due consideration, prompted thereto by an
anxious desire for peace and harmony. Upon that
We affirm nothing and we deny nothing, but we ask
that time may be given for him TO speak through his
acts, which are really the important matter" This