Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-04-17

its proceedings out they rather surprised the swift
witnesses who willing to predicate all evil of them,
and that continually We pass these things now as we
passed them them because of the fact that their
and undsguised maligny deprived them OF all possible
influence, claim to notice. We have quoted the res
outions of the meeting simply that they may give their
positive contradiction to the following from recent is
sue of the Raleigh Standard:
In March, 1861, convention meeting of original
cessonists composed of old Wings and old Democrats
held in Goldsboro party formed, the pro-
csedngs show, called the States rights party and it was
resolved by that meeting that the State should be taken eu
mated at Charlotte on the 10th of May But South
lima fred on Fort Sumter in April and Mr. Lincoln then
drew the sword on the cotton States."
There is no warrant for the assertion that the Colds
boro' meeting did any such thing is asserted by the
Standard. 1t passed such resolution. 1t contem-
plated nothing but what was done even sooner than
had been anticipated. By the time that the Char
Iotte meeting could have organized to take measures
for the promotion of any end the State Con
vention, of which the Editor of the Standard
was member, had actually accomplished that
end The Charlotte Convention not held, but the
State Convention was held at Raleigh and if the Colds
boro' meeting is to be denounced suspicion of revo
dictionary aims what shall be said of the State Cor
venon which did all that the Goldsboro Charlotte
meetings could have AIMED at? But now, forsooth, be-
cause Mr.. Johnston of Charlotte voted for Mr.. Ed
yards of Warren to be President of the State Conven
on Mr. Johnston therefore to be prescribed and de-
clared unworthy of support Mr.. Edwards of Warren,
took part in the meeting at Godsboro that was the
extent of has offending but so heinous indeed does it
still seem in the eyes Of the Raleigh Standard, that it
not only attaches the brand Of ineIigibity to Mr.. Ed
wards himself but communicates it to all who venture
to exercise their Judgment and by voting for Mr..
Edwards set the dctum of the Standard at defiance
And this from paper that assumes to speak against
partyism
We alude to these matters essential to the truth
of history not as wishing to revive any DISPUTES con-
nected with the past The revival is not 1t has
been brought up within a week by the Raleigh Mand
ard For our own part we have felt that we could af
ford to indulge in 70 such disputes and have ignored
them although free to say that while willing to
do So we were certainly unwilling to submit to the die
tation of those who had SO unqualifedy abused all
those whose fault it that they than some
others what was coming. We supported for the Sena
torshp Mr.. Davis who not original secessionist
we cooperated in the Godsboro meeting with gentle
men from this town who had been strong Bell men in
the election Of 1860, and who were warm union men
even after, and good while after Mr.. Lincolns cleo
ton have taken any ground Of opposition to
any merely because his judgment did not arrive at
the same conclusion at the time that ours
did, for that all did eventually, must take for grant
ed unless call in question the sincerity of the
bers of the State Convention who aU1hoM erception
signed the ordinance of secession. But on the other
hand, while acknowledging the right the proprcty, the
duty the policy the necessity of burying all past ami
moses ignoring all past differences far as all others
are concerned it surely cannot be expected that we
should consent that these animoses and differences
should remain in full force and effect as against our
selves and those with whom we acted. That indeed
would be reciprocity with vengeance. And yet the
opposition to Mr. Johnston assumes to be based in part
not that he himself took part in the Godsboro' meet
ing but that he did not go to the extent of prescribing
those who did
We have perhaps devoted too much time and space
to this matter, but seldom offend in that way, and
may not do again for good while, we trust to be
forgiven. That we have displayed no mere partizln
spirit we think we may appeal to past course to
prove-that we intend to pursue future course
will show. We prescribe none-we never were what
were called secessonists per We trust that the only
difference between ourselves and others of our fellow
citizens, that we arrived sooner than they at the
conclusion of the existence of necessity to which all
eventually came. It was difference in our relative
apprehension of the state Of facts radical divergence
of opinion, shown by the unanmity exhibited
when the facts became fully developed We have
not been backward to denounce what we thought
wrong or impolitic, simply because it might be
done by those in authority with whom we have had
political associations neither have we joined in any un-
discriminating or actous opposition to the acts or
measures of those in authority for of the two faults
think the last the most inexcusable at time the diff
cues of the country require that there should be &C
corded to the Government, State and Confederate all
the moral strength and support that can honestly be
given
We want for Governor good, strong minded, honest
earnest man. whose heart is in the work. whose whole
soul is devoted the cause who can inspire others with
his own zeal, who will not only work himself but be
the cause of work in Others. We not from what
former wing he comes, so he possesses these q1afca-
tiOns, neither do care whether he comes from the
East or from the West The man for the times is the
deSader0tum, not political triumph personal advance
ment, or party anything that might pro-
duce the slightest risk of division among our peo
pie.
1t is easy enough, think, to define pretty satsac
orily Uha the man to be elected to fill the gubernato
rial chair of North Carolina ought to be- but when we
approach the question of tCho that man is to be- we be-
come deeply conscious of the decacy of the discussion
1t is evident however that that question also must be
decided All that are named cannot be elected. MANY
may be nominated but only one chosen To avoid divs
ions of any kind it is desirable that opinion should be
quietly concentrated in way and that the people
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