Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-11-08
If we were to be caioled by any such coward

if we were to DE cajoled by any such coward
" and dishonorable threats, to PROSTATE
ourselves before the great Radical Jugger-
naut that is rapidly crushing under its &C
cursed wheels all those social and political
distinctions which should characterize So
ciety and governments.
If the Southern States IRE to have no OPP
ton in reference to the adoption or rejec-
ton of the amendment, why are they in
suited by its reference to them ? So far 80
Congress is concerned. or any official infor-
nation we have on the subject. we are not
assured, that after its adoption, changing
and confiscation " will not be urged with
equal vehemence and with greater prospect
of success than now. Thatthe disposition of
these Radical leaders and masses is III keep
ing with their threats we have not the least
doubt, but we expect their ability to carry
out their base designs is not equal to their
will, even if they show no regard for the
President and the Constitution. These
Radical papers have certainly forgotten that
a very large majority of the people OF the
United States are opposed to the Howard
amendment as the terms for the reconstruc-
ton of the Union The entire South ana
nearly one-half of the North have already
spoken out their opposition to the Con-
gressional plan of restoration. In an ag-
gregate of six million votes in the United
States there is, as shown by the recent cleo
TONS IL majority of at least one million of
votes against this amendment.
What a commentary, then, it IS upon Il
free Government to threaten that If the
Constitution of the country is not amended
to suit tie nefarious schemes of Il minority
party, hoping by this very means to con
tinue its improper possession and control
of the Government. that one entire section
must be destroyed, the lives OF its best cit
liens forfeited, and its property confiscated.
How silly and contemplate are such
threats. How powerless would be this
minority thus to revolutionize and subvert
the Government.
Whatever may be the result OF the I'M
fortunate and threatening complications Of
national politics, the South will not be
into any action derogatory TO
her honor. She will never vote the dis
of her best citizens, whose
only fault has been in gallantly and patri
Otically obeying her wishes, for such dis
honorable considerations.
70 show how powerless Congress is to
carry out the threats of the Post or the sug-
gestions of the Standard, we quote the fol-
lowing sensible considerations from the
New York Horld If, to this, it is replied
that Congress will not regard the laws of
the Constitution, affairs will have arrived
at that crisis when civil government will
be at IN end, and neither constitutional
nor the Constitution itself will
avail to protect the lives and property Of
the people Says the HorM:
Congress has no power to enforce penalties, hut
only to enact them When it enacted the treason
and contiscatiOn laws now in the statute book it
proceeded to the extreme limit Of its authority
1t can enact no new penalties for pest crimes
The Constitution expressly forbds il to pass or
fhOSi tfCtO laws. How prePosterOus, then 1t is to
hold these penalties in terror over the South as
an alternative to the adoption OF tho amendment
Congress cannot enforce them only the
courts. Does the Post suppose the courts Will
punish individuals whom the President has par
uHneu lneN nave no more a0tnOrltV 10 Co 1t
than they have to put man in peril of life OF limb
second time for the same offeuco, Besides, con-
viction5 for treason require not only courts but
prosecuting officer. The District Attorneys are
subject by the President. BY the laws against
treason, the Indictment must be found within three
years of the commission OF the offence. Before
President johnson goes out Of Office the three
fears will have expired When, therefore, the
Post threatens the South with Wholesale coEtisca-
ion and hanging, the alternative Of the ratiti-
cation OF the amendment, it shows either great
anIl tna 10 far it,
'eaders