Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-09-27
Our Duty.

Our Duty.
We return our thanks to our esteeme
contemporary for the manner in which h
has noticed our remarks in regard to tn
proper course to be pursued by our peopl
in their present condition, and the digni
fed but earnest manner in which some O
the conclusions at which we arrived at
are disagreed to. No subject which nov
agitates the public, we conceive, is SO i'm
portant as the conduct of the Southern
people in the present crisis, and the pres
in discussing it, should do so after mucl
consideration and with thoughtful earnest
ness. If the clouds of war which now hang
black and lowering, over the Northern hori
zon, burst upon us in all their threatening
fury, and deluge the land in blood and OBJ
iterate the Government in anarchy, let us
so act now that the miserable survivors OF
the wreck of great country may not point
to us and say eve did it."
We will go as far as the farthest in asking
for our rights under the Constitution, and
demanding of the Government of the United
States a compliance with its agreements
entered into with us upon the surrender of
our arms upon condition of our renewed
allegiance, and have, day after day, advised
our people no longer to ''bend the preg-
nant hinges of the knee" or engraft upon
the fundamental law of the State, the use
less and uncor stitutional demands of the
Radicals.
True it is that the Government of the
United States has acted in bad faith to the
South-the conquerors have duties devol-
wing upon them no less binding than those
imposed upon the conquered unfor-
tunately in our case, the rights we possess
are unavailing against the might of those
who wiIfully and maliciously deny them to
US. As we have said, we are not our own
masters-by force OF arms, if not by force |
of law, we are part and parcel of the Uni
ted States There are facts that must be
as having been irrevocably es-
by the result of the war. And
whether or not the claims upon us, by
reason of our oaths, have been forfeited by
conduct at variance with the obligations of
the Government to US, does not in the least
alter the course of action which patriotism
and interest alike demand of us. Of what
avail are rights and the demands of justice
and honorable dealing, if the over-ruling
which controls us and our des-
TIMES, regards neither the one or the other.
Sure our legal rights remain the same
whether they are granted or not, but their
refusal will not justify us in wasting our
lime in unavailing regrets, istless despair
md hopeless repinings. The issues we had
made to secure our rights have been de-
,ided against us, and the honor, as well as
he interest of the South require her to lay
the foundations of her new life.
It is useless to plead to those who wilful-
Y deprive us of what they have no moral
n legal right to withhold-in vain would
we waste our breath in protesting against
heir refusal to comply with their agree !
nents-and our demands upon their sense {
If Justice or appeals from their assumptions {
If right are unnecessary and unavailing.
Our conduct as citizens, since the surren-
Ter of the South our honest and manly
observance of the obligations Of our oaths
nd our respect for the laws of the country, t
rge considerations for our rights in Ian {
uage which cannot be misunderstood
he onerous taxes which hang with mighty l
Weight upon the industry of our people to
,ay the expenses of a government IN which t
hey are denied representation, present l
emand not new in the history OF our coun- G
~, and which cost England her American v
ossessions. Our gallant defence and hon i
rable sr1rrender-our suffering and loss d
ur helpless widows and orphans-our des- {
lated country and Wondering home &
teads-our unfortunate manned and giorl- v
us dead, all plead like angels, trumpet d
,ngued' against the terrible injustice meet a
I out to us. Let these considerations ii
ontinue to appeal in our behalf, and acts a
Il the part of our oppressors, which nei- J
leir principle nor policy will justify, will p
orrect themselves, and the people of the p
outh will yet have their rights fully recog- G.
lied.
Let us by manly, dignltied and cordial A
lpport of the President and Conservatives tt
{ the North do what we can to defeat the o
adicaIs. The assistance which We would p
i've them at the ballot-box and which is L,
denied, may be compensated for, a.
Y conduct on our part that will strengthen tt
leir hands We, more than they, are in h
rested in the issue, for whatever be the a
ssult, we are compelled to submit. Too a
tie, now, for resistance, and too late, then, W
u appeals, we must stand ready for any
tie. Whatever may be that fate, let us
leet it with frmness and honorably.-
lille we should not invite an unpropitious F
sue to the national complications we W
lould be prepared to meet it without re- fc
roach. And above all, let not the record e.
hich tells of national degradation, speak IL
so of Southern dishonor. fl