Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-08-23

lntions odopted by the National Union Conven-
tion and to-day publish in full the Address to the
,,eople of the United States. We regret that this
last paper is of such length as to exclude other
matters of Importance, and prevents any extended
comment.
It is we'll known that We endorsed the call for
the Convention with much reluctance, but sympa-
thizing entirely with the purposes of the Conven-
ton, We gave it our unqualified support and took
an active part in the appointment OF delegates for
this District. We felt, however, them that under
the call, Southern members would be required to
subscribe to much that people could not en-
dorse.
The Resolutions and Address contain much that
we most heartily approve, and upon which all ma
tional men in the United States unite, but on
the other hand, both abound with unnecessary
dog1naS, which we do not endorse, and afirmations
which we deny In fact our people cannot sub
scribe to all the doctrines and statements con-
tanned in these papers and preserve their honor,
for if they be true, then has past actions been
criminal ; an admission which they reject with
contempt, and upon which, the noble conduct OF
our dead and the honest purposes of our living
stamp the seal of our denial.
The Southern people Will never acknowledge
that the South began the war, that 1t was pros
ccuted without sufficient cause, or that they were
constitutonally warred upon We can never rem
der our thanks to the soldiers of the Federal army
for g cumming" our property, burning our houses
and devastating our country, nor can we be eX-
pected to sing p;rans over their success nor can
we join in the appellation of rebels or insurgents to
our people
We trust that the necessity which required the
conservative men t. force upon the acceptance of
the Southern delegates such offensive terms and
doctrines was most urgent; certainly, the ex1gen-
cies which prompted their unanimous adoption
must, indeed have been great Possibly, after the
terrible struggle through which we have passed,
we should not have expected the victors to have
been more lenient in their sentiments, and we
could hardly expect nearer approach to unanlm-
ity between the sections, when the delegates from
our own State represented every shade of political
opinions.
Then in the same spirit with which we advoca-
ted the Convention itself and in spite of the OBJ
iectionable character of some of its action, and
endorsing very much of its Address and Platform,
and concurring heartily in its objects and aims,
we see much cause for congratulatiOn. The North
and South have been brought together and inter
changed in the freedom of social intercourse
friendly views and sentiments, and disclosed
that the interests, aims and hopes of both sections
are in unison-the very spirit manifested by
Southern delegates in accepting the Platform OF
the Convention, telling more than anything which
has occurred since the war, how much in earnest
the people of the South are in their desire and eff
forts to restore the Union.
Uniting then, heart and SOUL with the Conserva-
tives of the North in their efforts to the
Government from the control of the Radicals, let
us not relax our efforts because cannot follow
altogether the path by which they lead we can
submit to some difference in view of the happy
destination for which both are striving. We APP
peal then to our people to give the party their
united support. JOoDnaL Dist inst,
The Soldiers Convention
We do not believe that great government of
thirty millions of people can be kept together by
popular conventions. If the centripetal force
which draws the States to the General Govern
ment has no surfer foundation than exists in the
assemblage of people in mass meetings, then we
must believe that the days OF the Republic are in
deed numbered. The stability of Government
must give away under the continued effect of great
political revolutions like those going on In this
country. The urgent necessity which required the
late uprising of the people of the entire country,
and the violence of party feeling now existing, are
exhausting the very powers of the Government, and
never were people so much in need of perfect
quiet and freedom from all political excitement, as
are those of the United States, and no people on
the face of the globe have passed through so much
during the last six years
In order to secure peace and bring back pros
perity to q united people and restored Govern
ment, the President and his patriotic supporters
have thought proper to assemble the National I'm
ion Convention, which has recently adjourned af-
ter a most harmonious meeting, and we sincerely
trust that its beneficial results will meet the ex
pectations of the most sanguine. Certainly, to
restore the integrity of the States, reconcile the
sections preserve liberty, protect the Constitution
and maintain the Government it is necessary
to drive the Radical disunionists from power and
deliver the Congress to the national and conser-
gative men.
To do this, therefore, it is necessary for these
men to unite together, and as far possible, for
get the past in order to the future welfare
of the country. We are the last to urge the
South to enter into any Convention or Congress
at the expense of her honor manhood, Or to &C
cept degrading amendments to the fundamental
law Of the land, in order to secure the shadow
after malignant partizans have destroyed the sub
stance. We have stalzed too much upon the altar
of principle and lost to turn round at this late
day and do aught to dishonor the memories of the
gallant dead who offered up their lives for the
honor and glory of their country, or the patriotic
living who cheerfully endured hardships and
dangers for the same noble object.