Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-08-07
From the Daily Journal of the 3lst ult.


spirit, and, far as we cam in calculated
rather to allay than to increase that excitement
We wish to meet the issues fairly. and by inducing
reflection, TO prevent overt action, and remove the
impulses that lead thereto. In doing so, we wish to
language calm and respectful, but firm and to the
point.
Yesterday a handful appeared upon the public
places about town, reading as follows -
TO ACTION. ~
The Mechanics and Workingmen of the Town of Will
mngton and all who friendly to their cause Will meet az
THE COURT HOUSE, This Thursday Evening" az
Let every mechanic who feels himself injured by negro
competition BE ON HAND.
We do not wish to 60 hairs breadth farther man
the mere language of the bill itself We 90 not oe
sire to go into any mans motives, or TO attribute 10
him sentiments which, perhaps, he does not entertain
and would repudate But, in order t. place thls
matter fairly, and thus enable the writer OF mat
hand bill to occupy position from which ne anu
others can see it aparS from their local feelings or
preiudices, let us remove the ground little ways
off, and suppose the case of Southern man entering
Kansas designing to settle there with his property
! He goes into a town or community and finds such
hand bill on its street corners. To what party would
he instincvely attribute its origin? Would he put
it down as friendly unfriendly to the Institutions
Of the section from which be came, to the property
in which the fruits of his labor had been invested
Does any man doubt the conclusions TO when ne
would come-,he answers which his mind would
give TO all these questions No man we think could
hesitate. Does not the case we have put, furnish
ground enough for reflection Is it necessary that
we should say more? Would it not be regarded as
unfriendly to slavery in Kansas.
Now as we have said, and, as we trust, our course
has shown, we desire to reason with all as brethren
and friends-ro denoun enemies. to attrlb-
ute imnroner motives to none, however much We may
deem them mistaken in their views or mislead in
their actions But put the case as ii suggests it.
self Is it not so? We ask of all concerned if they
have looked at the matter in this light. We must all
remember that we live in North Carolina, in slave
holding State and community, and must regard this
matter as southern citizens of southern State. We
believe that the mechanics of the Town of Whining
ton, as body, true southern men in feeling and
DISPOSED to look at things in true southern light
when not msled or mistaken.
The meeting at the Court House, Was organized
bv calling Mr. Parker to the Chair, and appointing
Mr. Barnes Secretary. Captain R. S. Macomber,
Mr. F Savage and Mr.. Kelley, made short address
SEES 1t would not be fair to crtcse these efforts by
the standard applicable to those OF practsed speak
ers We could not agree with many OF the concu-
sons arrived at, but upon the whole, liked the tone
of feeling, which generally was not bitter although
we thought many of the remarks far mistaken. Mr.
Rely's remarks showed good native sense and de-
sire TO he right We can but think that the same
desire pervaded the great mass. Captain Macomber
was more rointed, and we think, bt,erer than there
was any necessity for. But no doubt he very mis-
takenly, thought himself injuriously poin'e4 1t
limitations of a design to mark men to II cir in
Jury won't do, in community like this, nor in any
other community. 1t is a two edged sword. 1t cuts
both ways. 1t is wrong in itself, as promotive OF
unpleasant feelings Let all these ofsprings of ex-
citement pass off with the excitemens, VIII nee they
sprung-be buried and forgotten.
Eli w. Hall, Esq, who was present as spectator
was called upon so strongly and persistenly that he
was forced TO respond in some remarks. He regret
ted the meeting and the feeling of division into cas
SEES. which it indicated He knew no man there as
mechanic but as friend and owrsman. Why
should the Mechanics be arrayed as separate and
distinct BODY in the community--a community which
had always been distinguish ed by harmony and
union of effort for the common good He res
pected all working men friends and brethren
and all those who sympaized with them, as
worse than dead rabbits" The capitalists of the
town of Wilmington were, a rule, liberal and fair
men-if mechanics had recently been depressed, so
had all other branches of business Why array la
Dor against capital I
We live in slayehoIdng community and must
take it as it stood-its Inconvenience with its ad-
vantages Those who came amongst US knew what
our institutions were. If the question came whether
we should part with our institutions or with those
who did net like them it admitted but solution.
We compelled no man to live in saveholding COM
muniv but we would retain our institutions and our
property.
1t was a question for the contractors, not The out.
, side public, who had little nothing 10 do with
directly employing hands. Shortly after MIR. Hall
had concluded, the meeting adjourned.
, We received this morning anonymous commu.
, nicaon. 1t is very proper rule among all publish
ers TO pay no attention to that which bears no name,
and therefore does not purport TO come from any per-
son. OF at least from any person who chooses to ayow
the authorship. We would say this much, however
We do not approve of slaves taking contr .cs-the
, law, which we shall publish to morrow, is express
, on this point, and rightly We think that where
the question is obedience to, violation of law, there
can be no two sides. There may be matters of opin-
ion connected with this affair." about which there may
be Two sides. We agree with our correspondent in
not approving of tearing down houses and in slaves
! not taking contracts We shall notice no more a.
, nonymous communications.
Is We are indebted to Messrs Holden g. Wills IN,
" Standard" Office, Raleigh, for a copy of the very
able Address delivered before the Stare E1ucaton.