Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1860-03-01
For the Journal.
Cel.l,ratiou at Kenansville.

formed in good County of Dupn under the command
of Capt John Whitehead, gave dinner on the I'D, in
honor of the birthday of General Washington
Everything went off in style worthy of the OCCASION
and the spirited manner in which the day was celebrated
memory of Washington is warmly cherished
by some at least of the citizens of old Duplin.
Messrs John J. Whitehead, VIM. A. Allen, and John n
Sallngs acted by appointment Committee on Toasts
The regular toast read by Capt Whitehead, who pre-
sided at the table, was,
"George Washington,-The embodiment of all that is
great and good
Rev. James sprunt was called upon to respond to this
sentiment and he did in eloquent and impressive
The sages patriots of the Revolution Washington and
his Companions in Arms-May the American people ever
emulate their example.
Responded to a feeling and spirited manner by John D.
Stanford Esq., who paid beautiful tribute to the memory
of the heroes of the Revolution and called upon their
emulate their example by resistance to tyranny
especially the tyranny which Black Repubcansm would
subject
The third:
The Constitution of the United States the Magma Chara
of the Unon-We hold its invoIable provisions be the
only bond of united confederacy.
VIM Houston ESD who had been invited to be present
and respond this toast being prevented by ndsposton
following letter. which read and speaks for
itself:
KENANsvILLE, N. c., Feb. 22d, 1860
DEAR SIRs have to thank youfor invitation to attend
Dinner given this day to the 80 Dupn Remen" would
be truly glad TO be present. but ndposition and ncement
weather forbid You have selected day for the anniver
sary your corps which deem highly appropriate to such
purposehe day OF the immortal Washington IS
memorable not only in America but throughout the civil
world. May each and all of you live to witness many
happy of it upon nation united happy and free
permit add that the birthday of Washington, who
presided the Convention of and patriots by which
the Constitution framed and the Union formed whose
signature affixed 20 the sacred instrument an endorse
ment of its genuleess, and from whose head and heart
many its wisest provisions emanated will not be properly
we fail to aude that event. and neglect
support to the Constitution. OF the United States. In all
and governments and during all ages of the world
friend and most faithful citizen could be distinguish
ed and made the bearer of burdens and duties in times of
trouble and the recipient of honOs in times of peace
when Marcus Cuts, armed and equipped mounted
his seed and eaped into the chasm him
the Horat and Curat to seek martyrdom the field of
battle 1t that which caused Leondas and his three
hundred noble Spartan youths to seek death at hermop
and the sesacrfcng herosm prompted the Cartha
genan brothers be buried alive upon the
fines of their country that their might stand forever
the fixed mark OF its territorial boundary But in proud
Republic while have many thousands of youths of Spar
tan and Carthagenan gaany ready to die necessary for
their country and while have eferabe rewards to be-
upon their heroism, such sacrifices asked All
that Republic asks, all that necessary the
proudes Distinction the exalted position and the most
perfect and most permanent fame in this country and
pact of this Unona devotion the constitution the
nghy bond that holds ogerherto BOTH and INSOFAR
able they from the hands OF our fathers Why should
this not be so The Constitution the basis the
the platform upon with the solid fabric OF this Union is
|
permit it canker and decay, and the whole mighty pile
will tumble into OF irretrievable ruin The bes
through this compact We take the inheritance
by their contract and legally bound by the
ty which they made Shall adhere to that warranty
shall we forfeit it? has been in the adherence to that
compact that this country has to its present
directly indirectly stone from another of
that Union which they through the faith of this compact
Srs fathers loved the Constitution and they
were unsesh III that mat love they sustained the
Union, and being sustained it impossible that any
other result could follow than that when has oioWed-a
growth OF prosperity aud power under the common brother
hood unpa aeed the history of the world How pleas
ing it to look back at this picture How agreeable to
let the Imagination forward in delightful contemplation
of what shall be at the end Of the century Of
nued harmony and union but how sad to be forced
from such contemplation by the stern TRUTH that there
not only but political organization in this country,
whose avowed object it is to make upon the COnsu
tlon and destroy the union OF these States. il III
renee and nearious fungus formed upon the body
poll by OF the faness and OF all over
prosperity, eXtermnaed removed iissou-
ton inevitable. Nothing can prevent but returning
of justice, and restoration OF soundness and sanity
to the Northern mind and return by the people of that
section to their original feay under the Constitution That
done and ali Will be well again. The Constitution contains
many njunctons, all which have been constantly and
scrupuosy observed by section of the Union. Some of
its provisions have been openly violated, and others are
threatened be violated towards fifteen sovereign States
of this Confedracy by Northern sectional party One of
the declared objects of the Constitution to insure do
tranquility the nates For this, each Southern
State has surrendered rights dear to people Now IN
RETURN domestic tranquility is not secured to the respective
States they cheated out OF their surrendered rights and
the common government becomes to them tyrant.
the rights the sovereignty and property OF the other
that the people of State shall abstain from what
ferments discord dsurbs the peace of another
recognises the existence of slavery and provides
for the representation Congress of persons who
nS1 ee This oe Of Sf the Tf v
of the Constitution, and passed by that ConVen
senting vote. These duties under the Constitution
which devolve upon State and every citizen How
instead OF being secured has been disturbed by armed in
cendiares and traitors from the North. The fugitive slave
the North incendary book published for gain by
abscondng North Carolina thief held up to the patronage
ent House OF Representatives, when the avowed purpose
that book to nclte MURDER rapne and servie insurec
party at the North which Yields the most potent Influence
both at home and in the councils of the nation Does
thinking man suppose that the Union can exist when
gressinns like these continued and foot by
section against the other in violation of the Constitution
Does any suppose that the State of North Carolina
will continue to sustain government, when tina
common government has failed to secure to her the grea
objects for which it instituted! IMPOSSIBLE While
remain the Union, claim its protection, and will
perform every duty When that protection withheld
allegiance will be withdrawn. If protection is denied
the Union we go out OF the Unon for that the extent
bargain Between these plain alternatives does
to that any honest patriot hesitate TO
a choice.
The Federal compact broken, allegiance withdrawn
shall owe allegiance to power under the broad
py of Heaven but the good and glorious old State of Mort
Carolina And though deprecate it, fear the worst
and will arm in defence of our native State resolving
make with sister States Of the South
political crisis that may be forced upon them by North
i ern aggression.
t In conclusion, will give sentiment, The State
North Carolna-one the last to give her adherence
the Constitution she will be the Gerry violate pro
Visions wltully improperly counsel dissolution
the Union Should her soil be invaded her right
ssaled her both citizens and soldiers ready
rush, with accord to her standard and die if needs
4 in defence of her interests and her honor
Be pleased to present my kindes personal regards tn
members of the corps officers and privates Individual
and collectively
In haste very truly yours.
w. J. HOUSTON.
Messrs. John J. Whitehead WIN. A Allen, John n Sta
lings Committee.
t The fourth