Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-01-15
The Coming Canvass-DemOcratlc Organization.
neStly solicited

nestly solicited.
The Coming Canvass.-DemOcratIc Organization.
On the first Thursday in August next, the free citi-
zens of North Carolina will be called upon to elect a
Governor by general vote, and sheris and members of
the Legislature in the several counties and Senatorial
districts.
In respect the voting at the coming election VIII
differ from all former occasions, inasmuch as no dler-
ence will be made in the qualifications OF voters 1or men,
bers of the different branches of the State Legislature
the man who votes for Governor Sheriff and member or
members of the House of Commons, being entitled I'M
der the amended Constitution to vote also for Senator.
In former times while this matter of Free Suffrage was
before the people open question, we repeatedly
stated our reasons for believing in the justice and
equity of doing away with what considered an od0us
and antirepubcan discrimination. Now that that dis
elimination has been done away with and that by vote
of the people too decided to leave any grounds for ques
tiOning the popular will only refer to the matter at
all for the purpose Of keeping before our readers the
changed position of affairs in connection with the COM
ing elections in August
Without a fair full frank and open understanding be-
tween the members of party, harmony and good feel
ing cannot be expected or hoped for. Without organ
zaon efficiency of action cannot be secured. The best
plan that we know Of for promoting these desirable ends
the coming together of the people themselves at fitting
and convenient times and places, for consultation the
interchange of ideas and the adoption Of measures for
iurthcring the objects in view.
For long series of years it has been the custom Of
the Democracy of this county to meet the Tuesday of
March Court of the year i'll which Governor and men,
bers Of the Legislature to be chosen, and then and
There appoint delegates to the Democratic State Con
ycnon and at the same time take such steps for the
organization of the party in the county may meet the
views Of the majority. II is thnn that tho holding OF
county Convention is discussed and decided upon, to-
geher with the time and place Of holding such COnven
ton how it shall be constituted and what duties it shall
perform and with what powers it shall be clothed 1t
will be thus that these primary meetings are highly
important in their charactcr-that much of party har
mony and consequently Of party success, depends upon
their action fairly representing the wishes of the party
and carrying out its views.
Aware OF these facts, and anxious to discharge
full duty to party, have issued the call for the
meeting at March Court, at the very earliest moment
that could, after the time and place for holding the
State Convention had been determined upon We shall
keep this call before the public until the day for holding
the meeting in March, and shall, from time TO time,
call attention to the same in order that the attendance
may be full and that all may como prepared to act adj
yisedly, after reflection and consultation.
The political events OF the last few years ought to
teach us the value of organization and the danger oax
y and supineness In 1852 Franklin Pierce swept the
country almost without opposition Apparently the
power and prestige of the Democracy too great and
too firmly rooted to be shaken for years. if ever. Yet
something stole upon of security, and our
banner went down suddenly and Unexpectedly where it
had never altered before What then, did the Democ-
racy do? Why they organized-they went to work to
regain the ground they had lost and they rcganed it, by
sticking to the party--by keeping clear of boilers and
new lights and men that came with plausible falaces.
We have now before us the experience of the past
Let us profit by it. We have strength turned
into weakness by want of vigilance. We have seen that
strength gloriously reganed by unity and organization
Let not listen to the specious talk of those who
will tell us that there is need for WEAKNESS aud cir
cumspection-there is always need.
We beg to urge these considerations upon the atten
ton of the Democrats in all the counties to which
circulation extends. Different counties have different
modes Of organization, and Of the efficiency and suitable
We only press upon all the necessity and propriety
of efficient system for securing harmonious action
and due concentration of strength Indications too
plain to be mistaken leave doubt that the canvass of
the coming Summer will be marked by an attempt to
divide and thus defeat u.s. since opponents know that
the united Democracy invncble Let us guard against
this.