Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1865-01-05

article from the ttlcnmOnd EnqI1Ter. The concluding
paragraph which alone is specially Objectionable has
akeady gone the rounds. The article in full can now
do no BARN, and may offset some already done
"a decent respect for the opinions of mankind re-
ouired our ancestors when about to dissolve their M
lticaI bands with Great Britain I" TO declare the
causes which mpelled them to the separation" That
high noble precedent not followed by these aes
when in the course of human events" it became ne
ceesary for us to sepG rate from the United States The
absence OF such q declaration has enabled our enemies
to misrepresent cause aud 10 place us before the
world nation seeking not eelfgoVerpmeu but the
perpet uation and extension OF slavery.
| Why" said MIR. Cobden in his recent speech at
Rochdale " is there such declarationr Because
they have but the grievance that they want to con-
solidate perpetuate and extend slavery" Thus the
occasion OF the has been misunderstood and misrep
resented for its cause and the righteous noble object of
selEgovernment for which are hghtlrg, kept out Of
view, and slavery perpetuay paraded before the world
as the cornerstone of the Confederate States Gan We
any than orefathers, affect to disregard the
" opinion of mankind"
The opinion of mankind as entertained in France
and England ard throughout Europe is that of anti
slavery and was it to be expected that that opinion
would reyoluonise itself merely to divide aud dissever
the United States The right of lfgovernment was
as much at stake IN the denial Of cur equal rights in
the Territories as that OF foreathers in the tax
on tea But the enlightened opinion OF the world does
not go understand our cause; the vioent anisavery
discussion that for thirty years preceded the dssolu
ton of the Union and which so often predicted civil
war very naturally led the world TO understand oar
war solely undertaken Tor TIE Perpetuation and tx
tension OF slavery.
Perhaps the time has passed for any such declaration
of grievances TO be either proper or profitable but
manifesto Of objects aDd purposes, setting forth clearly
the reasons that induced to resort TO war, the
mar In which that war has been conducted the decara
tons and Of vengeance eveled against persons
and property, the cOnfscaon OF all estates, the esab
fishing Of negro superiority over our people by the
emY the threat Of their Congress, through lillian J.
Chandler to wage the for determination" aud the
beginning of that determination, evidenced 10 the
devastation ordered by Lieut. Gen. Grant, aud exccu
ted by Major Genera Is Sheridan and Sherman, together
with an avoWa that slavery shall not be permitted 10
prejudice our recogriio r as q nation, would we be-
eve, recognition and, perhaps, induce in
ttrventiOn.
These States are asking recognition from the nations
Of the world these States believe they Justly entitled
to that recognition as right but the nations of Europe
will not yield the gnton beclu5 they believe
we have crushed into war merely for negro slavery
This is the blef Of the great mass Ot the European peo
pie. There many WIS., statesmen who understand
our cause properly, but they cannot openly advocate 1t
because OF the antislavery prejudice that beaets it
among their people. here are few men who dcend
US despite that prejudice, but their influence expcnds
itself ruessly upon that rock OF pre- JUDGE The En-
peror of Tie French correctly understands system
of slavery, but be will not jpopardz bis dynasty by
doug violence to the antsavery sentiment OF his peo
pie. The ministry of England ore an slavery 10 sen
timent aud hence they will not aid or recognize a
tiCn whom they believe founded upon negro slavery.
The heroam and endurance of cur struggle, despite
this prejudice against slavery, has for people
the undIsgused admiration OF the world, but has not
and will not moly that prejudice or dispose the
lions to recognize with slavery, they understand
our c9use the stone of our system If we would
reap the rich blessings to which heroic struggle
titles u.s. if we would cbrystaiz3 that admiration into
acts of aid and comfort must convince the world
that We are fighting for the self government OF the
whites and not for the slavery OF the blacks that the
war has been forced upon by enemy Tor the pur
pose OF spoliaon and eubugaton that the freedom OF
the negro part of the purpose OF our enemy but
that commercial vassalage and dependence prompted
and inpeled this cruel If it be necessary to con-
vince the world that we are fighting for the s9Ifgov-
eminent OF the whites that should iberate the
gross, and if that liberation be made to secure orr
recognition and the guarantee of Epgand and France
TO our independence, we believe that the people OF
these States would not hesitate to make the sacrifice
In such light only do we understand the following
declarations from the Richmond Sentinel:
We think that our have done much towards
preparing the minds of our people for the most extreme
sacrifices if they shalt be ad0dged necessary to the soc
And in truth they not SACRIFICES At
ali when compared with situation II subJugated 1t Ia
sPy We GIVE 9 our tsS
means emancipation and coDhacaton. All our servants
all property yielded to assist in detenoo OF
country would mean But it would be far moro
glorious devote to success than TO lose
Them as spois to enemy. Our situ1ioa too, stripped
Of our property Of the government Woud 90
infinitely better than deBp0ed by tho enemy and wear
ing bis bond2.
There views have long ceived the theoretical assent of
our people They practical realizing cOnvC
ton thousand p+ej0diceH, thousand conseCratad cog
mas ready yielded at the bidding Of neces-
sy Any sacrifice Of opiDiOn sacrifice OF property,
ara surrender ldice necessary defeat
iesis now the watch word ard reply. EubIgutiOn IL
that all other horrors and adds enormous
caIamit;es of it's The people this. They have
vved perception OF IL. Tney are rcadJ On their part for
the duties which it impEes9
If we hare given to our cotem porary q broader 10
erpretaon Ian the writer designed we do not believe
we have misrepreseoted the determination OF peo
pie.
The consequences Of emancipation would fell upon
the unfortunate negro and God would hold responsible
those who have forced upon the act. 1t Is one OF
necessifV not choice act taken against our judg
ments aud our convictions but To icom tie ho
rors OF prolonged war; and the Disgrace, ruin and de-
struction involved in the success OF our enemy.
.-If France and EugIand will enter into treaty with
these Confederate States, recognizing nationality
AID guaranteeing our independence upon the abolition
of slavery in all these States rather than continue the
war; we should be prepared to urge the measure upon
our readers. We believe such proposition would DC
fayorabY received and acted upon by these naos and
ought to be made TO them.
The Yankees ut GrIfin-yonduIiana by Ouv
/ Scholars.
| The LaGrange Reporter, OF the 9th says
We clip the following from private letter written
to US by friend living in Griffin. The picture is d
horrible one and we fear there is too much truth in it,
30 fer az oUI cavalry are concerned What burning
shame there can be no more discipline and order among
the soldiers of the Contederacyl The writer says
"The day after writing the foregoing our cice closed
I l.. ,lvnr D1r- ~