Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1860-12-20

was addressed by r. Fl. Cowan Esq, of Wilmington
and John A. Dickson ESQ. of Burke.
Mr.. COwan made most thoughtful, welconsidered
speech of about hour and half in length in which
he contended with much force and ability that the hon
Or the interests the safety of North Carolina and the
South demanded severance of the ties that now unite
them with the States of the North. He contended that
the option no longer remained with us. Our only
choice was whether would take and exercise this
right own terms wait until forced to do so by
enemies and their terms He contended that in
truth there was little difference between his position and
that assumed by his Union friends at their meeting of
the night BEFORE or at any other meeting held by them
He willing they to abide by the Union if our
Constitutional rights could be secured under it. He
revered the Union it framed and designed to be,
but not such an Union" as abotonsm offered to
He, too, might be willing to watch and wait" if he
did not know and feel the than folly of doing
If he did not know that the election of Lincoln
step towards the carrying out of plan in which
abolition enemies would inevitably persevere to the bit
ter end.
Mr. Cowan referred to the sneers at South Carolina.
lie spoke of the position of that State in former times
of her desire for cOoperation-of her forbearng from
action out of Difference to her sisters of the South, and
from desire to obtain their sympathy and countenance,
which sic did not obtain She had time and again de-
ferred to the wishes of her friends but backed
down before the menace of a foe.
He was for decided action because he thought that
honor duty patriotism, as well regard for
best interests demanded it, but by that he did not mean
that should secede tOngh or tomorrow morning. or
next day AFTER or next week. lie would watch and
wait with and for North Carolina and abide her de-
cision.
Mr.. Dickson of the Mountain district then intro
duced to the audience. He alluded to the able and elo
quent gentlemen who had spoken at the Union Meeting
of the night before II of those gentlemen especially
had failed to convince him of the wisdom of the watch
and wait policy it surely the fault Of that policy,
and not of its able and eloquent advocate.
Like the gentleman who had so ably preceded him,
he (Mr. Dckson) looked back with pride to the gori-
Gus memories of the revolution He reverenced the Le
of that great struggle he sought to be actuaed by
their spirit and he felt how little that spirit would
cord with tame submission to the DEGREES Of fanati
cal abolition majority. 1t was folly to talk of fighting
in the Union. All peaceable in the Union had
been exhausted. We must now treat with the North
separately and independently.
The men of the Cape Fear had never been backward
in other days. would they be now when danger came
they did not need that any should come from any
other section to stimulate their patriotism excite them
to action They would act properly and at the proper
time and he could them that they would be sus
tanned by the true hearts and strong arms OF the men OF
the mountain district, and he knew that district we'll
He, as we'll as Mr.. CoWan argued that but
was open to the South if she would be true to herself
to her words-to her history. She must now redeem
these words by acs-she must vindcae her history by
guarding her honor.
After the conclusion of Mr.. Dckson's remarks which
were brief, but not less appropriate and &C
ceptable, than those of Mr.. Cowan three hearty
cheers were given for the Mountain District and the
Meeting adjourned Both speakers received warm and
wellmerted applause during the whole course of their
remarks but still the applause was rather earnest than
noisy. The whole feeling is earnest and thoughtful
rather than demonstrative
1t is now question of time. Our people here are
much unity of sentiment than even they them
selves think. The most decided secessonsts differ from
the resolutions of the Union Meeting of Tuesday only in
matter Of opinion with reference to fact which will
soon develope ITSELF The Union men, if they admitted
that every effort for the preservation of the Union con-
sstent with our safety and honor had been exhausted
would 60 for immediate secession. The secession men,
if they thought that every effort had not been exhausted
would be willing to watch and wait" We have no
dissoutionists for the sake of dissolution nor do
think we have any submissonss for the sake of submis
sion. Let US bear and forbear, and we will all be to-
gether. Whatever may be said to the contrary,
getting together fast. Events are bringing We
are far less apart than might be supposed. When
the time comes we will be one. We are one on
all essential points. We all demand Conven-
ton. We all go for armng the State. We all
recognize the necessity Of having understanding with
cur Southern brethren-we all agreed that this
thing must be finally settled now-we all agree that the
signs of the times such as to show that secession
may shortly become matter of practical necessity.
We compelled to agree with those who believe
that every effort has been exhausted. We know that
our Representative in Congress, Hon. Warren Win
slow, cautious, prudent conservative man. who never
before would allow himself to believe that there was i'm
mediate danger to the Union, since he has been
TO ashngton and especially since he has been the
committee of thrty-three is compelled to say that The
thing hopeless There no compromise or concession
in the Republicans, but the reverse.
Let US have the State Convention and be prepared
and we feel satisfied that at the proper time for action
we will be man. Let US not crminate or recrim
mate Let ill-eeling creep n-no harsh expression
be allowed to escape.
WHATS THE News ?~R Really, we don't know tina
there can be said to be any news if by news we art
to understand any such striking event or marked
change as could be regarded of sufficient importance
for separate mention. Some Union meetings have
been held In New Jersey, and in Philadelphia, the
nature of which, and tho Of ALo