Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-06-14
THE WILMINGTON JOURNAL.
WILMINGTON, N. c., JUNE IA, 1866.
Our State Convention and Congress.

Our State Convention and Congress.
1T said that North Carolina will be the first State to
accept of Congress through the acton OF the
State Convention Washington Correspondence.
We are not prepared to say how far the asser-
ton above quoted is true. We have seen indlca-
tons in the report of the proceedings of our Con-
vention, however, which give some grounds for
the belief in its correctness, and acquainted as we
are with the material which composes the Con-
yention, we are not unprepared for any action
they might take.
The delegates to the Convention were elected at
a time when probably majority of the people
were DISTINGUISHED at least very large majority
of them did not exercise the privilege, If they
possessed it. Our people then unfortunately
thought that good policy indicated that, so far as
possible, men who had never sympathzed with
the Confederate cause, or who were at least will
ling to
Bend the pregnant hinges Of the knee
That thrift might follow fawning,
should be elected in order to curry favor with the
"powers that be-" In this way, many counties
are represented by extremely ignorant and radl-
cal men, who are now floating on the surface, hav-
ing been stirred up from the bottom, by the ter
rife storm through which we have just passed
These men, the plant tools of willy and ambl-
tious leaders, will be carried to any length III Or
der to retain in office few men who have been
thrown on top by the incidents OF the past few
years, and who we'll know they will sink to their
former insignifcance whenever the whole people,
untrammeled by national intricacles, can freely
speak their sentiments. And we venture the opln-
ion that considerations of justice to our people,
and the future welfare of the State, will weigh but
little with many members of the Convention II
by adopting the terms proposed by Congress, they
can secure for themselves the political Offices and
exclude therefrom the now despised Rebels.
We trust however, that sufficient honor and
patriotism is left in that body, to spurn the de-
grading terms proposed by the Reconstruction
Committee, and which will, without doubt pass
the House of Representatives in the form 1t has
been modified by the Senate We know that the
people of the State, if referred to them, will scorn-
fully repudiate any such terms of reconstruction.
They are willing to do all that honorable men and
citizens of common country should, in order to
fully restore the Union to it's former strength and
glory and reconcile the sectional agitatons which
now are trammelng the industry OF the South and
retarding the advancement of the whole country
but they will not consent to have their honor
and character traded off by trucking politicians
to appease the unnatural and gluttonous appetite
of Radicals. IT, as Mr.. Senator Wilson, of Mas
sachusetts says that the true test of loyalty is fl
deity to the Radical party, North Cardinals and
will remain, disloya If, however, loyalty consists
in an honest and united wish to the country
restored to its former position to regard the Con-
stiution of the United States, the supreme law of
the land, and desire to place State fully under
the egis of its protection and the willingness to
adopt such legislation not inconsistent with our
honor as men, or our interests citizens, will
give proof of our determination, then North Car
DINA is loyal.
The people of our State we'll know that it is not
from any convictions of their disloyaty that they
are excluded from representation in Congress, but
because the Radicals are aware that our support
will not be given to them in the coming Presiden-
tial election. For this to be disfran-
chised, or our strength so much reduced or coun-
terbalanced by negro votes as to secure to them
success, which would certainly not be theirs with
our united opposition. Our people would prefer
to be crushed under the wheels of their triumphal
car than follow its track at the sacrifice of their
convictions and principles. This Convention
might as well realize at once Let them not pros
trate the honor of the State at the footstool of
power, nor sell their birthright for what may
not be even a mess of pottage. If they will not
accept the wish of the people for their immediate
adjournment at least let them contine themselves
to harmless legislation