Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-08-16
The Philadelphia Convention.

! At the present writing, l 2. NJ, we have re-
ceived no later advices from Philadelphia than
those published in our edition Of yesterday We
must confess to sohcitude as to the reasons
which induced Vallandigham and Fernando Wood
to withdraw from the Convention. They were
our strongest friends during struggle for in
dependence and were subjected to arbitrary az
rest and imprisonment for their action IN our be-
half Without being further advised In the prom
ises, this action looks somewhat OMNIBUS. All
parties favorable to the enforcement Of she Pres
idents policy were invited send delegates to the
Convention old party issues were to be forgot
ten, and a union of all conservatives was to be
arranged, founded upon the approval of the policy
of the President and in opposition to the arbitra-
ry rule of the radical party. If the peculiar
friends of the South are not allowed admission
if they to be tG6ooe on account of their friend
ship towards us, as exhibited during the war, it
argues badly for any benefit that we may expect
to derive from the action of the Convention. We
had hoped that the alarming state of public at
fairs and the desire of all true patriots to avert
Threatened calamitics and give peace to our dis
tracted country would create spirit of concilia-
ton and forgetfuiuess of the past We are afraid
that our expectations will not be realised,-that
the obligations of party are stronger than the
promptings of patriotism, and that for an lndeh-
mite period, we must bear with that ''hope defer
ed which maketh the heart sick.
If it should turn out sincerely trust it
may, that Vallandigham and Fernando Wood,
voluntarily declined to present their credentials,
fearing their presence might jeopardize the har-
mony of the Convention, impair its influence
at the North, it will but add to debt of graft
tude to them While deeply deprecating the feel
ings which should render this necessary, us evil
dence that the desire to restore the Union, has
yet much of party alloy mixed up with it, we are
glad that the good sense and genuine patriotism
which has marked the course of these distinguish
ed gentlemen in the past, has controlled their ac-
ton in this matter. They feel rs we do, that the
last hope for a restored Union apon honorable
grounds now rest with this Convention. Upon
it's action the veal of the country depends more
than any similar body that has met since the for
m alton of the government
This Convention composed of gentlemen of
eminent abilities and enlarged craftsmanship, from
every section of the Union, assembled i'll frater
nal council, aware of the terrible dangers which
imminently threaten the Republic, and animated
by the lofty purpose of thwarting the nefarious
objects Of the enemies of the government,
hardly fail to do much to accomplish their impor-
tant and patriotic work. And we hope that the
apparent want of sincerity in the exhibition of
feelings or opinions which excludes such men as
Vallandigham and Wood from its deliberations.
and the undignited claP-trap which marked its
opening scene, are merely the awkward gratings of
the new machinery of National Convention
When the members have had time to mingle to-
gether, and the delegates from Massachusetts, and
South Carolina harmonic in feelings and
purpose in gehUY, they do in upl2eara2ce, when
the novelty of the situation is mellowed by sim
cere reciprocation of goodwill, hope their
deliberations will be marked by good sense,
ightened patriotism and enlarged conservatism.
The country with listening ears, in the meantime,
stands on tip-toe. We trust our dispatches to-
night will bring further and more favorable
news.