Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-04-11
A Good Thing

We have attended nearly every meeting of either the
Union or Southern Rights psrties that has been
held in the Town of Wilmington since the election of
Lincoln and the of the canvass involving
the question of secession The meetings, held frequently
On alternate nights far the largest held in
town. and they were characterized by great enthusiasm
vet I'VE happy say that in all the remarks of all
the speakers we heard nothing of personal character
nothing dsrespectul to eow-citizens foppospg views
And while this tone marked the of the canvass
we are pleased be able to bear testimony to the neral
absence of bitterness from the intercourse of our citizens
This is as it ought to be- May we not hope that
this state of feeling will continue to be maintained without
serious interruption. Now al least and In this par
tcular respect if in other Wilmington sets an ex-
ample to the other of the State which is well
worthy of imitation 1t is not that our people are apa-
thetic or indifferent uDnfOrmed as to the issues be-
fore Them On the contrary, no town in the State has
been so thoroughly canvassed in none the news more
eagerly enquired after No town has deeper stake IN
the result of the exting difficulties but each man knows
that his neghbor is interested equally with himself ard
is equally entitled hold and express opinion and to
have his right to do so respected.
We hardly think it worth willie to notice ex-
cepon this general courtesy Of tone some very thought
less expressions which understand have been made IN
reference to the despa ches received here yesterday by
the press. We know that these dispatches were sent
by gentlemen of high character who believed the facts
stated be correct but who assert no claims TO Htdt
biy We presumed that these dispatches were essen
tiav correct 1t was certainly the desire both of those
sending them and of those receiving them that they
should be So We hardly know what peculiar code
would justify persons in desiring to hang editors aud
others for receiving and publishing dispatches be-
leved to be and intended to be correct should
they afterwards turn out not to be So Surely those
using such expressions cannot have realized their
full force, nor reflected upon the act that rules of
this kind would be apt to work both ways They
would if adopted institute censorship OF the press
indeed-such censorship as could find no parallel,
no. not even in Naples in its days. an6 whose ap
plcation would uaugurate reign OF terror equal to
that which once deuged France with blood Surely 10
one can wish this-no one does wish It, We DO not
believe that anybody really meant it, AID therefore we
hardly refer to it seriously. Ii the members of all 9TH
er professions required to be lnt0bLe on pain OF
being hung we fear II at not only editors but lawyers
doctors and preachers mil sometimes be in state
of suspense 1t hard enough to do the very best you
can to obtain information, pay four cents word for it,
and then be threatened with sus. per col:
Seriously, however, as our regular dispatches show
there has been great mistake somewhere about the
seIs off Charleston and promptly state the fact The
regular agent OF tie associated press at Charleston
not to blame. He sent no dispatch that there
We deeply regret being placed in the position how
ever innocently of publishing incorrect statements arc
we know also that sensation is bound to in
lure our cause so our readers may be assured that
would not publish such, even party