Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-08-09
Yankee Character.


! WEdo not know that we havsever been so deceived
las in our former estimate of the character of the
Northern people. We knew them to be shrewd, nc
tive, energetic and persevering addicted somewhat,
when the dollar was to habit (of what is
generally known sharp practicel of getting the
upper hand in a trade, or the advantage in bar
gain. This Characteristic practice, however,
we thought belonged almost entirely to a certain
Glass; and that the majority OF their people pos
sessed higher attributes of character, and were
moved by more generous impulses. we gave
them credit for some virtues, but their actions
toward US during the war, and since the termlna-
ton of hostities, has fully satisfied us that we
did them great injustice. Take, for example, the
manner in which the was waSed on their part
History is searched IN vain tor parallel toll III
wanton barbariiy and 1iehdlsh cruelty. we ex-
pected, when our troubles commenced to contend
aoainst an energetic, persevering but civilized
neople; we made no calculations for barbarous
warfare We expected TO meet as man to man,
openly, squarely, and to fight ii out on that hne
we thought, of course, that the known usages of
war, we mean civilized warfare, would he rigidly
observed. But alas, for our delnsion. Ask Mis-
sissppi, Alabama, Georgia and the Caroinas, how
the war was carried on within their borders, and
they will point You to burning cities, desosted
homes, churches desecrated, and helpless
women and >childen robbed of even their
very clothing and subjected to the cruel
treatment Of a iccntious soldiely. When the war
terminated by the unconditional surrender OF the
South, we looked in vain for any exhibition of
on the part OF the North towards u.s.
We had fought as no people had ever fong' be-
fore we had tested their manhood to its fullest
extent :; had compelled them to put forth their en-
tire reserves but overwhelmed by numbers, we
acknowledged defeat, and accepted the situation
promptly and in good faith. After such con-
5est, with such people, would it not have been
rue manliness on the part OF the vlctors to have
said, we believe what you say we want no guar
anty for the future, but let join hands and to-
gether build up your ruined country and strive to
orget the horrors Of the past. Such action on
heir part would have aayed all strife and i'll feel
ng would have restored the Union as it was in
he early days of the republics, and an honorable
Enemy would have acted. 1t not done,
md the conviction is forced upon us, that the
ceiling entertained towards the South by ma
ority of the Northern people. as expressed III
Congress and through their newspapers, is one of
,ndying hate. We are satiied it is their wish, if
lot their purpose, to precipitate conflict between
he two races at the South Witness the recent riot
n New Orleans speeches OF the most incendiary
character were made to large crowds OF negroes,
he natural effect OF which would inevitably bring
N a collision between the Blacks and whites 1t
lid So, and the result is before the country, for
he deplorabe results of which the Repaid
ican party is. alone responsible: If such a
course of action is persisted i'll by that
parity it needs prophet To foretell the result
It must terminate in the entire humiliation of
he negro race They cannot become the equals
If the whites they cannot be made SO by any
ct of man God made them as they are, and all
he appliances of art cannot undo his work But |
What must be thought OF people, who, for the
AXE of power and the triumph Of party, would |
lot hesitate to dclu2e the land ill blood Expe |
fence has shown conclusivelv that they care moth
ng for the negro except 50 far as be can be used
o effect purposes OF their own. When they can
make further OF him, he will be cast asid de
nd left to die like dog On the nearest dunghill. |
his is their affection Sr the negro. and the effect
f their protested philaEthrophy, il continued |
S at present, will lie the utter extinction
f that unfortunate class OF human beings We
nust confess that the appearance Of things is, to
ur mind, gloomy III the extreme Unless the par
y now in power can be- sElorn Of their majority in
he fall elections, nothing il the future to
ang even the fiintest shadow Of a hope upon
Deprived Of all representation in the national
ouncils with no voice in the making of laws that
ear most heavily upon us, only stand with
olded arms while the battle that gives us life or
cath, is being waGed between our patriotic Pre- I
dent on one side, and 1;tdicaliam the other. I
he only glimmer OF light amid the thick dark
ess around lis, is the anticipated action Of the
Philadelphia Convention. We look forward to
le action Of that body with tie most intense
terest. Ne.llave hope that wise and patriotic
ounsels will prevail that there will besuch an
trising of conservative sentiment throughout the
nd will sweep away all opposition. The hearts =
all true patriots throb with anxiety for the re-
lit of the deliberations of that body; for their
,tion depends the :aIvation, not of the South
My but of the whole country. =
Religious Liberty i'm North Carolina. +
In our issue of the Sd inst, we published with q
1t comment, an article entitled, '' Religi0us Lib