Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-01-17
THE WILMINGTON JOURNAL.


N. THURSDAY, JAM AeoAs
rTHE SPEECH OF Mr.. SEwARD.-It is painful po-
son of things when to great extent the destinies OF
country like what the United States is or ought to be,
Is il the hands of any man. no matter how great
how pure but it surely still notifying subject
of contemplation when find the balance of its dest
MES trembling to the touch of such man as VIM. II.
Seward-a man whose long political career has been
signalzed by uniform of attack upon the insti-
utons and equality of one whole section of that coun
+rvwbose undenabe abilities have been bent to the
affecting of this one obect-whose power as political
dictator is founded upon the fact that he is the &C
knowedged head and 'front.' the leader the tribune of
party created for sectional purposes and whose success
is the triumph of sectional ISSUE the declaration of
sectional hostility.
Yet although the words of wisdom admonish US to
dstrust our enemies even when they bring gifts still
such is the earnest desire to and judge and try what
can be DONE that all have been willing to give to any
propositions that Mr.. Seward might offer, calm and
candid examinaton-an examination in good faith, and
upon their own merits. We are sorry to say that this
examination reveals nothing practical nothing satisfac
tory nothing likely to lead any adjustment of exist
ing difficulties
Passing by all the plausible platitudes of Mr.. Sew
ards speechhis pictures of the evils of dsunion, and
his desire for the perpetuaon Of the conederacy,
come to his real ground
He thinks the Fugitive Slave Law ought to be amend
ed in points wherein it is odous to the North and then
the personal liberty bills contravenng the constitution
ought to be repealed.
He would go against the abolition of slavery in the
States and would GO for amending the constitution SO
that Congress can never abolish slavery in the States
where it now exists.
He says nothing about the District the forts, dock
yards or other public property the interstate slave
trade.
He thinks that Congress has exclusive power the
territories to legislate for them and while he would
never cast vote to carry slavery there elsewhere
EARTH be would vote for such proposition as that Of
Senator Rice of Minnesota if reservation insert
ed that more than the two States proposed should be
made out of that large extent of territory. In pair
terms Mr.. Seward wants Kansas Immediately admitted
as non-alavehoIdng State. He wants all North of sc
deg 80 min. Immediately admitted as a nonsavehold
ing State thus ignoring the people Of New Mexico anc
Utah, which are saveholding communities. He would
90 for admitting all South of SO deg 80 min State
slave or Free the people at the time of admission may
determine.
ard is consistent in saying he would vote for it, while he
says he would not vote to carry slavery anywhere or
earth His pan as we have said would be directly pro-
hibtve and exclusive Of slavery from territory where
now exists north of &c deg. 30 min. By Immediately
forming one State out Of all the territories South of 81
deg 30 MR. the future status Of that territory much
which is suited for the profitable employment of slave la
bor would De forever determined against that institution
by the few squattes stragglers and government employ
ees sent into it by Mr.. Lincoln.
There is but one thing limited at which bears any APP
pearance Of concession or arrangement and that is that
he would vote for amendment of the Constitution
whereby Congress would never have the power to abo
isb slavery in the States. But this is a sort o.
contingency. A convention might be called two Oh
three year hence when these eccentric movements Of
disunion shall have come to an end, when peace and
harmony shall have been restored, and so forth.
Mr. Seward says he would go for the prevention O
John Brown 1oids, and for taeo Pacific railroads
We have endeavored to boil down" this long anC
plausible speech of the accomplished and rhetorical Sen
ator from New York. We can find nothing in it thai
affords single foot of standing ground. Long before
Mr. Stewards convention be called his terms, thu
game will be up.
He takes ground which distinctly indicates that the
policy of the new administration will be of coercion
From that any that only result flow
and that result must be civil war. We agree wish the
venerable Duff Green, that every energy of the people
and their leading men should be devoted to avert
ing civil war, and that the best way to do this, il
to make the opposing forces as nearly equal pos
sible The whole South united and giving mutual as
sistance, may do this. Otherwise she invites