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

writ was suspended, certainly, until The Peace
Proclamation. At what precise time it was re-
stored, if ever il has been fully and practically
we do not know.
AS we can not suppose the President continued
the suspension of the writ in palpable violation
of the Constitution he had sworn solemnly to sup.
port, we must infer that he did not consider the
instruction at an end and according 20 Judge
Curtis il was his province to decide that question
It appears, them that the delegates to this So
called Convention were elected before the war
had ceased, and Judge Curtis says the right of the
people to form government could "begin only
when war has ceased
Here, then, we have this Convention claiming
life from source that, at the time, was incapable
of giving any. The fountain being dry nothing
could flow therefrom.
| And yet, the opinions OF Judge Crr6is are oil
great weight. Our contemporary says of him
GAS able, if not the ablest Judge tho Supreme
Court Bench at the time and as the one who delivered
| are entitled to their profoundest respect
The Drama.
| We strolled into the Theatre few evenings
SINCE and while waiting for the performance to
begin, memory carried us back to the days of our
boyhood, when the old Thalian Association lived
and fourished, and to witness whose performances
in the old Theatre, was the browning sheaf in our
cup of happiness. Well do we remember the de-
light with which we would hurry off without wait
ing for supper and securing the best seat in the
pit; would drink in with greedy eyes and ears the
shifting scenes of the play, believing most imph-
city that all we saw and heard, was true as gos-
pei. The Association at that time was composed
of gentlemen of great talent, and their represen-
tations far exceeded in ability any of the travel
ing and most of the stock companies of the pre-
sent day. We can at this moment recall the names
of but few who were members, but they will be
sufficient to show the material of which the asso-
citation was composed, viz e. B. Dudley Charles
Wright, J. S. Green w. a. Halsey, J. d. Jones,
W. M. Green Joseph A. Hill, W. B. Meares, and
others. Of these, Dudley, who identified him
self with the cause of internal improvements in
the State, giving to it his time, his talents and
his wealth, was subsequently rewarded by thepeo-
pie of North Carolina with the highest Office in
their gift. Charles Wright seemed born for the
stage. He trod the boards with majesty and
grace that Cooper might have envied even in his
palmiest days. James s. Green, Treasurer Of the
Wilmington & Weldon Railroad Company from
it's organization until his death in 1862, and uni
versally esteemed both in his public and private
character, unequalled a comedian, and un-
approachable in such characters Sir Abel
Handy and Sir Pete: Teasle. Colonel J. ID.
Jones excelled in the personation of Hamlet He
possessed highly cultivated intellect, with great
powers of analysis, close student, courteous
and high-toned gentleman. He represented the
borough of Wilmington for several years in the
voft ba toto okcr IF
the House of Commons discharging the duties
of the position with dignity and ability. W. H.
Halsey was distinguished member of the bar,
and regarded by his associates rs a most sound
and able lawyer William B. Meares, distin-
guished for soundness of judgment and vigor of
intellect, successful at the bar and as a
planter, also fame in the Legislative
halls. W. NJ Green, now Bishop of Mis-
sissippi distinguished for intelligence, suavity
of manner. and for beauty almost feminine,
played with success the role of female characters.
Joseph A. Hill shone upon the mimic as he did
upon the actual stage of life with unfading lustre.
With all intellect equal to the creates occasions
and Hottest efforts his a11abity and bon homnaie,
disarmed the envy his brilliancy excited. I'm
selfish and unassuming, he alone was unconscious
of the superiority universally conceded him. He
died at a very early age and in his death, the
State lost one of its brightest jewels Other
names might be mentioned who were members of
the association and rose to distinction, but we
have said enough to show the high character of
the society. We must confess to weakness for
the drama we like to see good play we'll per
formed. It is not only pleasant way of passing
an evening, but is at the same time instructive
and edifying and is particularly interesting where
the parties engaged are our neghbors and friends.
We think there is sufficient talent in midst to
organize an association that would reflect credit
on our city. We believe that the presentation of
well selected plays will have tendency to elevate
public taste that the sentiments of the masters
of the English stage even from faltering lips will
inculcate good morals, and that association
could be organized, the character of whose mem
bers would be q sufficient guaranty that nothing
would be offered that would shock the sensibility
of the modest, or wound the piety of the devout.
We throw out these suggestions, and shall wait
with interest for any action that may be taken in
the matter Such an organization, properly con-
Quoted, would not only be source of pleasure to
the public, but of great improvement to the par
ties engaged it would excite emulation, develope
talent and exercise strong influence for good.
We see that Mr. Speaker Colfax has been ma
king speech to his constituents in Indiana, the
burden of which is the disloyalty of the South
still to the general government. He charges that
treason is still rampant; that we are not to be
trusted, and that we more loyal now than
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