Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-11-15
THE WILMINGTON JOURNAL
WILMINGTON, n. O.,
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER Is, 1866.


The elections at the North for the For
tieth Congress, with few insignificant ex-
centions, have now been held and the polit-
zeal complexion of that body decided The
people of that section have declared against
the policy of the President and in favor OF
that of Congress, by majorities sufficient to
control the veto of the Executive. The de-
cision lasts for two years from the 4th Of
March next, which is to the expiration
of the term for which President johnson
was elected. It is settled, therefore, so far
as he is concerned, that the policy OF his
administration for the reconstruction of the
Union will not be adopted during his term
of Office, and scenes and sentiments similar
to those of the last session of Congress, en-
dorsed as that body has been by the ap-
proval of the Northern people, will run riot
during the approaching session.
The people of the South have for some
time been prepared for this result, and its
accomplishment has not added to the gen
eral gloom and apathy. In fact, before
these Northern elections, a great despon-
dency existed in regard to national politics,
which the result has only Strengthened
We have long been satisfied that the mis-
rule and tyranny of the past two years
would be continued, and that our section
must yetlonger languish under the influence
of hostile legislation, gross misrepresenta-
ton, and hurtful suspense the energies of
our people paralyzed, capital excluded and
immigration turned away by the unpropi-
tious prospects and political uncertainty
which hang over us.
The very early meeting of Congress will
end any suspense the South may feel in
regard to the future policy OF the Radicals.
The character and temper of their proceed
ings will display the courage given to the
members by the late elections, which Mr..
Stevens declared they required to meet the
expectations of the people. We do not
know whether their first attack will be di
rected at the South or the President. As
their efforts will be powerless to pursue US
beyond the limits of the Constitution SO
tons of his office-so long as he is &C
knoWledged as the executive, his amnesty
proclamations and special pardons must
stand between us and their mad designs,
in all probability their first attempt may
be against him. We are satisfied, even if
more conciliatory councils prevail than
those threatened by the leaders of the par
ty towards the President, his difficulties
will be much multiplied and his best efforts
in behalf of the country will be utterly
powerless for good.
There are twenty-seven States at present
represented in Congress, one less than
enough to ratify the proposed Constitu-
tional amendment, without the aid of any
of the excluded States. But this includes
Delaware, Maryland and Kentucky, whose
ratification of the amendment is very doubt
full, to say the least. It is thought most i'm
portant that this amendment should be
forced through the State Legislatures the
present winter, and it is believed by little
Congressional pressure, brides and
threats, we suppose, that the three doubtful
States, above named, and one or two of the
excluded States can be secured. and the re-
mainder thus gagged into its adoption. We
believe we can speak for the entire South,
in declaring that brides and threats will
not induce them to take this step. So long as
the amendment is referred to them for their
acceptance or rejection, it will be unhesita-
tingly rejected. When it is violently and I'M
constitutionally thrust upon them. or they
are illegally and forcibly compelled to take
"something worse" there will then be an
end to civil government, and the South can
not be held responsible for the anarchy
that will ensue. The assurance given by
Governor Perry of South Carolina for his
State, can be safely promised for the whole
South. AS feeble as South Carolina may
be-" says this distinguished gentleman, in
a late letter, in reply to a friend at the
North, urging upon him the necessity oil
South Carolina adopting the amendment,
"and as 'powerless as you say she is to
protect herself she is, nevertheless, able to
maintain, amidst all her expressions, her
honor unsullied, and will meyer, voluntarily,
accept her own degradation
manufactures