Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-10-11

the Messrs. Leary invited him to a confer
ence, which was declined, and he also refused
to leave the matter to arbitration. He was
then arrested as last resort, after all over
lures for peaceful settlement had been
declined
The letter informs us that I'M Justice was
also done these gentlemen, in stating that
the arrest was made in the presence of Gen.
Mahone's family, and that indignity was of
fered him and that the steamer had been
released when the arrest was made. The
Messrs Leary expect to show upon the tri-
al these facts, and also who has displayed
vindictive feeling in the matter. These
gentlemen have the reputation OF being
high minded and liberal business men, and
we give the above statement III JUS
tice to them.
Gov. Holden vs.. Thad. Stevens.
We do not know of two persons III this
country for whose opinions the people OF
this State have so little concern, i'll their
individual capacity, as the two whose names
head this article. But the latter being at
this time the great leader of the dominant
party in Congress, and as such shaping the
political destinies of the country more than
any other man, and the other, the trusted
ally of this party, seeking by all means in
his power, and if Mr.. Stevens does not lie,
regardless as to the legitimacy of the means,
to advance the interests of the Radicals i'll
this State by forced and unnatural divi-
sion among our own people, it IS probably
important for the citizens of the State to
know what is done or said in their names
by such individuals speaking of and for
them.
We publish below an extract from
speech delivered by Mr.. Stevens on the
9th of September, in Lancaster. Pa,
giving a history of his enabling act and
what purports to be his conversations with
prominent Southern men, among others
ex- Provisional Governor Holden. To
which we append the disclaimer of Gov.
Holden. We do not know Mr.. Stevens
otherwise than as he is known to our citi-
zens as q politician, through the great repu-
tation and high standing he has won in his
party. The people of North Carolina need
no introduction to Gov. Holden Mt our
hands.
The position of Gov. Holden III this
State requires that the exposition of Mr..
Stevens should be published, and Justice
to him also demands of us publication Of
his denial. With the total and essential
difference in their deliberate and careful
statements we have nothing to do. but when
men prostitute their talents and Opportuni-
ties for personal advancement at the eX
pense of their country, we care little if
they mutually devour each others reputa-
ton in their after recollections of the dirty
and private plottings had to advance their
nefarious schemes, our svmpathies leaning
rather towards that party who shows some
respect for his own people in the disreputa
bic transaction.
Our readers can well see what influence
such statements as these, made by Mr. Ste
vens, are calculated to have at the North.
If the honest and ignorant masses of the
Northern people are led to suppose that the
"loyal people " of the South desire the OK
IRENE measures Of the Radicals, anG that
the President has only the support of the
uncompromising rebels" we can we'll
foretell what will be their voice at the bal
lot-box. Between the policy of the Presi
dent and that of the Radicals, there is no
halfway ground-one or the other must
inevitably be adopted for the future gov
eminent of the country. No party at the
North favors any compromise, and Gov
Holden and his coadiutors here may affect to
turn in horror from negro suffrage and he
gro equality, but their efforts are most u.s.
suredly aiding those who will force it upon
us if they retain political power. We hum
bly, trust, if for nothing more, on account
of the high regard we once had for him,
that Gov. Holden can reconcile his present
course with the simple but uncompromising
demands of honesty and truth, as we'll as
with the ultimate good of North Carolina.
If we can be SO convinced, we would be the
last man to reproach him, however much
We may abhor his present position. And
we tell him in all candor. that even since
the surrender of the Confederate armies,
his political opinions have undergone so
many, so violent and such SUDDEN changes,
while Mr. Stevens has for nearly half cen
tury been SO consistent. that people will
very naturally suppose that the error in re
collection is on his part. We can we'll re-
collect when, under the teachings of the
Standard, we would have believed with re-
luctance anything which Thad. Stevens
said, and we're taught to regard him the
quintescence of all that was corrupt and
dishonest; but now the same authority tells
us that he is not capable of falsehood or
intentional misrepresentation We there
for leave this matter with the public.
We extract from the speech of Mr.. Ste
vens referred to as follows
ssThere is one thing, however, introduced for
fixing the condition of the Southern States-and
since am here will say one word in explanation
of that. introduced bill into Congress for the
purpose of enabling the rebel States, under GER
tain conditions. to form loyal governments. They
have no governments now except some counter
feits put up By Andy Johnson. Three cheers |
for Thad Stevens.") I proposed in that bill that