Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-03-01
THE WILMINGTON JOURNAL.
WILMINGTON, N. c., MARCH 1, 1856.


The war waged by the United States against the
Confederacv was heralded to the world as a war
for the preservation of the government Ii was
not to he war of conquest; not war OF annihlla-
tion but to be carried on solely, as congress anu
the press throughout the northern states averreo 10
compel submission to the authority OF the govern
ment and to restore the union of the states. That
was the principle involved; that the main issue az
stake. With this understanding thousands were
induced to join the northern armies who would
have recoiled from doing so under any other IN
ducement They loved the old flag, they loved
the union, and could not consent to Its dlssolu-
ton All over the north the rallying cry was the
union it shall be preserved; we demand no con-
fiscation we wish no humiliation OF peoples; tne
states cannot go out of the union, and we hght put
TO keep them in. The war ended, we all know
how-by the complete, entire submission OF the
southern people, and what ought to be the ieg1tl-
mate result of such an ending. The union, OF
course and the union only, with the exception OF
slavery And this is President Johnson's view OF
the situation, if we correctly understand it. But
tbe radicals in congress-the ma ity--headed by
Stevens in the house, and Sumner in the senate,
think otherwise They hold that the war was
waoed only for negro emancipation; that the states
claiming tosecede, did actually secede and are now
but conquered provinces and to be treated as
snch In their wild and fanatical zeal for the
black race they wish to enforce the idea that the
union cannot be restored unless the negro and the
white man are put socially and politically on a
level
The question naturally arises to their sincerl-
tv in the expression of the principles they now
enunciate Are they honest in their CONVICTIONS;
do they mean what they say; do they really be-
lieve themselves, in the equality OF the races! 1t
is not in the nature of things that they should;
every instinct of the heart revos from such an as
ISOLATION 1t is true, Cf we take their election to
seats in the council halls of the country as critic
rian.) they represent the northern sentiment out
we cannot believe that majority of the northern
people sanction their views, or approve their
course If they do, it behooves every conservative
man. every good man. north and south, to rally
to the support of the president, and to assist In
beating back this avalanche of ruin which threat
ems to engulph us. He stands almost alone against
the wild fanaticsm of the north. He has shown
himself not by words only, but in acts, to be our
best friend; has exhibited degree of moral cour
age unexampled in our history, and which his
previous antecedents gave no reason for expecta-
ton. Surely the people of the south will not be
wanting in gratitude towards him, for his efforts
in their behalf. The impulse of patriotism, the
moral obligations of duty, and the generous prompt
ings of grateful hearts, all forbid it. Let there be
general meetings then, of the people throughout
the SOUTH to give expression to the universal feel
ing of respect entertained for him, and let all
unite irrespective of former party association, to
do honor to the man whose actions are governed,
not by the commands of party, but by the prompt
ings of a lofty patriotism. 1t may be urged that
such action on our part might tend to excite the
already vindctive passions of the radicals against
the president and would be used by them to his
prejudice and injury. We do not believe that any
such result would follow. The breach between
the radicals and the executive has already been
made, and nothing that we might do would ma
terially increase it. Besides, they determined
to crush him, and having the will to do so, they
will not be very scrupulous in regard to the means
used to effect their purpose. The south owes a
debt of gratitude to the PRESIDENT let not be
laggard in showing that we appreciate his course
towards us; it is due alike to him and to ourselves,
and in our judgment it should be done promptly.