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

hat body mum boring three hundred Of the citizens
of Wilmington could be brought 10 autho:ize or
sanction such a deed of lawess violence as that
which occurred on the might of the 9th inst no
speaker of the meeting of yesterday, the 18th inst.
said or asserted any such thing. They, of
Them did say, that, in every crowd where the matter
became the topic OF conversation, and that was IN
every place where happened to meet, ausion
was made to the society association IN that con-
neclion 1t was due 10 the association to the class
of men thus pointed al, that the matter should be
sifted and the imputation removed from innocent
men. This we understood 10 be the substance of
Mr. Smiths remarks, who denounced the illegal act
in no measured terms
But we fear that there is a spirit of mischief
abroad leading to the commission of such acts, not
the ebultons of passion, but as the result of cal
culation, with the view of accomplishing certain
object We had almost said cool calculations, but
such things cannot be The offspring of really cool
calculation No good man coolly violates the laws
of his country. He may be carried off by passion or
prejudice.
This morning we receved through the post office
the following anonymous communication. Although
the publication of such is opposed to out rule, we
insert it here in illustration of remarks. We
may add that ii is printed precisely as written
to the punctuation, from which it will appear that
it comes from some one whose opportunities ought to
have taught him mole correct views, locking at the
matter merely in the light OF expediency -
IfMr c. Heyer or MIR. Anyb body else will give their
work to set negroes in preference to tte mechanics
they he te pnehamc justifabe in demoishing that
work Negroes should be prohibited from working at
mechanical business whatever and the ohete mechanics
have committed other than praseworhy and ustable
act and it most sincerely to be wished that their recent
display may produce the desired effect.
Success attend them. MECHANICS FRIEND
Now, fellow working men, for if any Of you work
harder than we do, we have yet TO find it ont, permit
US to say that all this is not simply wrong in princ-
pie but equally so in practice In all honesty and
sincerity, let us say that this thing won't do, and
can't Do Waving the whole question about the en-
ployment of any class Of labor, at least walying
he discussion Of that question for the present, the
attempt 2complish any object by Illegal means,
BY violence and conspiracy, must fail. 1t has ncVef
sucCccdcl- ncrer. This is the experiences OF all men
in all ages climes ard counties. Neither any
"dc8red effect" be here, in North Carolina, produced
by Intimidation. 1t is all mistake.
advancement and The right to acquire properly is
open to all. That neither wealth poverty are
Inherited as interchangeable conditions. The veal
thes mon in the United States are, with few excep-
lions, the architects Of their own fortunes. This is
the result of perfect freedom Of actionlrcedom in
choosing an occupations freedom in pursuing it
freedom in acquiring and employing !fopcry 10 tie
best advantage. All talk Of peculiar protection to
any particular class is exploded idea-a laws fol-
such purposes nothing more nor less than impe-
diments to trade, trammes upon commerce, restric
tons upon Individual freedom Of person or property
Let Us put a case and ask question. Suppose a
working mechanic becomes, by in ustry and economy
or by nhertance or by any other fair means. the
owner of negro p'' perty, what does he do If he
carries business employer and contractor,
he is ust sure 10 employ his negroes in doing the
work as he is to have it done. We appeal to the
common and experience of every reader, if this
is not the nyariabe rule. This is precisely what
mechanics do themselves. They surely need not be
surprised if others do the same Working mechan-
les becoming employer and the owners of negroes,
employ them in mechanical pursuits. Other owners
of negro property stand on the same basis
| good deal is said about the difficulties unde,
which mechanics labor in Wilmington. If the in
PRODUCTION of negro labor into mechanical pursuits
has been the cause of these difficulties they are al
least much 10 blame any other class or calling
in the community, and more so. But we would pre-.
sent another side of the question, and make state
ment in which feel confident of being corrobora-
ted. Much compliant is made of the high rates Of
rent prevailing in Wilmington. Rents are high, and
yet for all that, do not recoIIect time since ou
residence in Wilmington, when property owner
could have dwelling house or houses built thereon
that he could rent and realize six pei cent on the in
vestment, after paying taxes insurance, repair ecs
We appeal to any one who has tried it. Why it is
do not pretend to say, but do know that build
ing in " ilmington is at least twenty five per cent
higher than ii is in Washington, Newbern or Tar.
boro', and Also that these high rates seriously inter
fere with the growth of the Town.
This is a matter to be looked at calmly, thought
fully, legally. 1t is a matter in which we all have
common interest, Shareholders and non slave holders
those who work at one Occupation at another, fol
we all work. If people who have no legal right to
take contracts, do take them, the law is open Let il
be enforced without fear favour. Let that matter
be ferretted ont, and put stop to- We live under
government of laws of mob violence Defance
of the law is blow at the sovereignty OF the State
an injury 10 every citizen of North Carolina II
! won't do.
We have spoken plainly, trust reasonably
Some of our remarks may be unpaatabe to some
but are they not true? Are not one peope, and
ought NC not to reason together plainly?
! 2. S-A dollar bill accom- panied the communica
ton signed q Mechanics Friend" We will hand i
over to the Mount Vernon Fund.