Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-09-20
Honesty and sranliness.

fWere placed IN the hands of that class o
weak-minded and tmid people who ha,
done much to bringsabout our defeat, ant
stood then in mortal dread of tine i'll opin
ion of the Radicals. For all our sufferings
and for every political misfortune, an un
manly submission to- and a full propitia
ton of the Radicals was the certain and in
fallible remedy. Propitiate the Radical
and GO N-say your souls your own ani
STAY OUT, appeared to be their rule of &C
ton. Elections were held and men elected
under these influences, and the whole
South, at least, by silence gave their en-
dorsement.
| One demand after another was made
their terms governed more by the eager
ness with which they were granted than the
situation required, and granted with {
haste and obsequiousnes that told more o.
unmanly fear than honest conviction. Oul
political affairs, to satisfy these demands
passed into the hands of those, whose IN
fuence was supposed to be healthy at the
North, and even the control of our corpo'
rations was taken from those who had been
faithful to the South, and many prominent
Confederates were avoided as if their touch
was leprous. The grossest outrages were
borne with quiet submission that fur
nished a safe assurance for their repetition.
Sympathy for the imprisoned and suffering
living was not only suppressed, but expe-
diency required the dead to. "rot in cold
obstruction" Oar women, whose gener-
GUS natures and honest hearts were not
susceptible to the insidious appeals of fear
or policy, were censured for the open ex-
preston of their feelings, as the good of
the South required concessions and humil-
lations.
Our great reward, we were told, for all
this sacrifice, would be reaped in the i'm
mediate admission of our Congressman
Their mere appearance in Washington,
bearing the credentials of constituents, SO
humble and Enthusiastically loyal" would be
received with all the pomp and preparation
that was proper to honor the return of the
humble prodigal our contrite spirit and
concessions would purchase for us full
participation in the Government.
Sad experience has now, however, open
ed the eyes Of the Southern people, and
convinced them that after all these humili-
ating attempts to conciliate the Radicals,
they are no better off than if they had con-
tented themselves with an honest obedl-
ence to the Federal Constitution and the
laws. We trust and believe that they have
determined that the splendid reputation
they won during four years contest against
overwhelming numbers shall no longer be
compromised by conduct, as useless as it is
humiliating. Despair, which may over
come the stoutest heart, and momentary
and universal panic which may daunt the
bravest, may have furnished an excuse then,
which could only now be regarded as COW
ardly fear, when our situation is too alarm
ing for panic, and despair would only in
vite an unpropitious issue.
The press of the South has, by an ont
spoken course. done much to relieve the
people from unnecessary alarm, and invi-
ted investigations into official malfeasance
with the most beneficial results. Boldness
on the part of the press at first was resisted
by men who feared exposure and in order
to satisfy cowardly revenge, used official
positions to punish us rather as convicted
felons, than as brave but conquered peo-
pie. Obsequiousness of the press was vain
ly attempted to be purchased by suspen-
sions and serviIty procured by fines and
imprisonments. A brave people could not
give an approval to what they did not feel,
or by continued silence, suppress the hon
est emotion of their hearts. Such course
would not only have lost their own self-es-
TEEN, but while failing to propitiate the
hostility of the Radicals, would not have
won the support of the President and the
Conservatives.
That candid action and honest purpose
is appreciated in loyal ATTITUDES, We have
had repeated proofs, and will yet win the
esteem of every honorable man. Policy,
when followed at the sacrifice of principle,
is bad guide, and unnatural concessions
deceive none 80 much as those who are
weak enough to rely on them.
The following extract from an article
from the Louisville Democrat, upon this
subject, forcibly illustrates our ideas, and
shows how manly and honest course is
appreciated among real Union people:
editors of the party based on great mora
ideas are scapdalized that Southern papers should
compliment the gallantries of men who fought in
the Confederate service. How will they help it,
and what will they do about il2 These Southern
editors will sin that way. 1t would be very un-
natural if they didn't Butler and Br09nloy
can't hept it and Grant and Sherman wouldn't
if they could. They rather like the SIM and would
be more likely to commit it themselves than to
repress it in others. It is hard on men Of great
moral ideas to read such things; but we don't
see any help for it. The South qoiu cease to BE-
men auen Mey forget those arho riSked all for them
an q cause they deemed jast, eUea If cOnUlRced thai
IL acus q sad blunder. We rather think men are
oU the more to be trusted arheh they don't profess
,rhat zee kno,o they can't feel and don't restrain
emotions they must teet.
We expect honorable men te comply with their
oblipations whether the duty is pleasant or not
we don't expect the people South to repudiate the
debit Incurred by the Government they belong to,
althourh thew may never relish the object fol
which the debt was incurred. They may grant
pensions to Union soldiers-for that is an obiSa'
ton they incur in acquiescing in the STATION