Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-09-20
Thaddeus stevensLrHis Policy.

the speech, which we publish in another
column this morning, recently delivered by
Thaddeus Stevens. of Pennsylvania, to his
constituents at Bedford. AS the recognized
leader and chosen chief of the Radical par
| ty, his utterances have an importance and
significance that do not attach to those Of
ordinary men, 4 bold, bad man, and, with
al, one of some capacity, he is from his po-
sition as the dictator of his party, more
powerful for mischief than any other indi-
vidual in the country. Fanatical at all
times, the recent destruction of his private
property, and the yet more recent and
fierce onslaught of the President have sup
Piled whatever may have been wanting to
make up the full measure of his hatred for
the South. Nothing but the most bitter
and relentless persecution can be expected
at the hands of such a man. Unfortunate
ly for the country, the Radical party, In
the main, seem DESTROYS of carrying out
his will. In the last Congress, his word
was law and measures were rejected or
adopted, debate and discussion permitted
A more complete subsection was probably
never witnessed in the history of parties
where there was any pretence to liberty of
speech or freedom of action. We, there
fore, look with interest to everything
coming from him, in order TO form con-
lecture, at least, of the plan of operations
against us. This Bedford speech leaves us
in no doubt, and has the one merit, if no
other, of being clear and explicit in its
enunciations. There can be no doubt of
his policy and his designs. They are such
as we have right to expect from Thad-
deus Steyens-in a word, are simply devil
ish confscation OF property, negro equali-
ty, complete denial of all rights to US of
the South, of either person or property,
indeed, of life itself, impeachment of the
President, and entire assumption of the
reins of government, are prominent and
undisguised points in his policy. He abates
not one jot or title from the position he took
at the first moment after the fortune Of war
delivered us bound in the hands of our
enemy. The President standing upon
constitution and laws of his country, reject
ing the opportunity to revenge the many in
dignities and injuries that lad been infict
ed upon him, put forth his plan for the
restoration of the Union, a policy rs re-
markable for it's wisdom as fer It's mercy.
MI. Stevens, the representative OF the OPP
posing party, put forth his policy. The
issue was fully and squarely joined, and for
some time the parties have been on trial by
the country. The verdict has not yet been
rendered; indeed has not yet been made
up, but we very much fear that when it is
the hopes of our poor South will have for
ever fed. The late tour of the President
has, as we have before intimated, given US
no joyful anticipations for the future and
so far as we have seen, the whole Southern
press, with a single exception, seem to share
our feelings. There seems to be a general
impression that the sentiment of the North
is with Mr.. Stevens and not with the Pres
ident. The only paper that takes a hope
insults heaped upon the President do not
indicate hostility towards him aud his pol
icy from the masses, but from certain indi-
viduals who desired to create the impress
sion that the country was against him; in q
word that the whole series of disturbances
was trick Of l'ornoy. This is a plausible
ISOLATION, but We fear plausible only. The
telegram of yesterday communicates anoth-
orc Sn 70 ot n
which has heretofore supported the policy
of the President, now declares it to be q
failure-in a word, has gone over to Mr.
Stevens. It is true, that the Hear!d is mer-
cenary as well as polite, and that gold dollars
would influence it as decidedly as an init
nation of popular will, so that its desertion
of Mr. johnson does not necessarily prove
that Bennett thinks the people are opposed
to him, for it may result simply from the
fact that the Stevens party bid higher than
the other. However this may be, it is none
the Less q misfortune, for it is idle to deny
that the Herald is a great power in the
North. Mr.. Stevens is evidently not in
Inundated OR discouraged His tone is as
cOANA NbC+tsAp HIo tNNA Az
his plan of operations for the approaching
campaign with as great an air of triumph
and assured power, as if his enemy was al
ready flying before him. On the other
hand, Mr.. Johnson is jubilant and conf
dent of victory, and he is no mean Or con-
temptible opponent. So far as we know, he
has never yet been defeated in contest
before the people. His judgment and fore
sight in political matters has hitherto been
qnerring to wonderful degree, and this
gives us mose hope than oil else.
The contest is O hot one, and one In
which singularly enough, the spectators
have greater interest than the combatants.
1t is of vital Importance to MS of the South,
but unfortunately we are unable to raise a
finger even in aid of our champion. We
have 10 desire unnecessarily to disturb or
alarm our people. We have had trouble
enough already to satisfy the most morbid
appetite, but still we think il the part of
wisdom to inform ourselves thoroughly as
70 tbo ,,robol,1o y.ocrItc IF Radical c-.ooacc