Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-12-05

supply at any price If the law could force every bush
ell OF salt in the State into market at dollar SACK
that would not increase the quantity nor make up tie
existing deficiency OF three hundred thousand bushels.
The emergency here Individual Enterprise il made
quate it. The State can step in as well in re-
gard to the self to be made, she already las done in
regard to the public works which it is to be car
red, ard the same justification applicable
necessity OF tie and the nadequacy OF individual
enterprise.
The State Nc-Fsrty" Copses vsti=:.-
Danger Ahead.
We not of those WHO wish to keep UP any party
excitement bitterness neither we, the OTHER
hand, class ourselves with those who wOuId depreca
the free expression of opinions about aid things
lest by such expression should ncur the mpuaton Of
party bias. Parties have always existed and AWAY
will exist. They the natural result of human
thought and action. Mems opinions. like mems minds
and faces, will differ and it is only the presence Of
some controlling necessity impending danger, that
minor questions forgotten overlooked. The truth
is that it is to the collision of minds in great party
struggles that the national intellect in all free countries
owes much OF its vitality. Parties watch each other,
and if there abuses connected with them they also pre-
vent abuses far dangerous than those incident to
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ed is healthfu 1t is in noparty times, when the pub
lie attention is concentrated or some other point that
the startling innovations are made almost without
notice, and landmarks removed quietly which at other
times could he thre ateed without waking up
such al opposition as would at once deter the bodest
adv ocate of change.
The present State Convention is a fair illustration Of
our meaning. No viii deny the large amount of
ability which that body contains In that respect it is
certainly lot inferior to any public body which has
or met in this pcrhs pc in any other State It would
de dsrPpectiu and untrue charge with being def
clent in patriOsN Of that we must conclude that it
has at least its fair share And yet known to be able
and believed to be patriotic fear that before all is
over the Convention may prove itself che of the most
mschevous and most innovang bodies that have ever
met in the State. The cherished prospects of politicians
or sections, and again defeated by the people
may be got through the ConW non with but little
trouble and perhaps ratified by the people without su
Gent examination, for need hardly tell anybody that
the present time OF excitement is exactly favorable
to the calm examination and consideration of questions
of constitutional change and amendment. People will
be looking away to Dixie to speak-their eyes will
be fixed On the battlefeds Of Virginia. Kentucky Mis-
souri, South Carolina. The vote upon rafying any
rewritten constitution will be small, and although we
suppose our soldiers in camp, whether in this or any
other State, will have the right to VOTE how many oil
them IN camp will have the opportunities for calm re
lection, or the facilities for obtaining the facts listen
ing to the arguments necessary to the formation of
intelligent opinion, and consequent intelligent exercise
of the elective franchise, In truth the probability might
be that the soer in the field would return home at the
end of the to fnd constitution in operation diff
erent from that which lac left there and in the for
nation OF which be had virtually no hand nor voice.
We beg OF the gentlemen composing the committee,
to whom to be referred matters relating different
portions o. the consultation to act very cautiously
We notice that all sorts OF propositions looking tn
radical changes have been submitted to the Con
ventOn and referred to these committees and we know
o. that heavy pressure will be applied with the view
pressing through all these changes affecting alike tn
basis OF representation and of taxation, of politics
power of eligibility to Cce and to the exercise of th
1t rights of citizenship.
y Changing relations to the world by ceasing to
member OF the association of States to which hav
if previously belonged and by uniting fate with al
Re other association change 10 organic law wa
absolutely required to enable US to adapt ourselves
ID altered position and to this extent the action of til
s. of the people by whom they were elected Anythin
beyond this will evidently be an excessive exercise
power because, although not prohibited it was certain
neither contemplated intended since had the que
ton of calling any Convention turne upon the propr
ETY. OF efectine urdy of the changes now proposed
be made by that which is 10 session. it could not ha,
been called at ALL as it could not possibly have obtane
the necessary twohrds vote IN both houses OF the Ge
e era Assembly.
- The Richmond Enquirer already raises the voice
warning and of caution in Ii at State, where the Co
Vention is cutting and slash ing generally, and doir
Dr. more uprootng, removing landmarks repudiatir
n more results of experience in few days of nopart
ISM" than would be permitted iu years of the most raj
"a pant party rule.
Or Let US IN conclusion say few words to those meI
oers OF the Convention who laim to be the "conserv
" tves par excellence. Let then be indeed consery
tive IN fact as well in prof esson Let US beg of the
b IN all sincerity, to show tbe faith by their works,
not while claiming the honoi of conservatism signal
taemSe 2es by destructive onslaught upon the
misses OF the State Constitut on We make this appe
in all sincerity and with all respect to the Convento
ask OF that body and Of all its members to be in ia
and not conf Il their conservatism to me
profession, for the sake ofe Feet