Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-06-14
Political LethaTgy,

It is not SO much to be wondered at as
deplored, that our people should be so in
different and callous in regard to political
matters. Never in the history OF politics
in this country was it so important and
necessary to use our utmost endeayOrs to
bring out every element of strength and
at the polls ward off the dangers that threat
en- us. The ordinary political controver-
sizes which formerly divided the parties of
this country, and which frequently dis
turbed to a great and unnecessary degree
society itself, were Us nothing compared
to the great interest now at stake. The
elections which will soon take place in this
and other Southern States, must decide
their fate, for veal or woe, for ages to
come. On the one hand lies Justice to all
classes and races, law and order, financial
prosperity and social distinction on the
other, vindictive prescription, illegal pun
ishments, financial distress and social OBJ
liberation. Never in the history of any
people Was there SO much at stake-so
much to save or lose. and we doubt if ever
found lethargy-sucL total unconcern in
regard to questions OF such vital impOr-
tance-as is exhibited in these Southern
States. The surrender of our arms, the
destruction of our property, the cruel le-
gislation retarding our material advance
ment, seem to have also blunted our NOR
al perceptions and our manly characteris-
tics. The orders drHtt,n .fulntenS, of arbi
trary commanders, which to-day abrogate
the most sacred and vencrated laws and to-
morrow remove the honest and conscientious
officer, seem to carry with them terrOrs
which tend to deter the citizen from the
ordinary and important duties incumbent
upon him, while suggestions uf mild con-
tiscation carry with them Il dread which
the qualifying cxpletive fails to allay.
There is, however, moro danger from our
very inactiou than from any other cause.
If the acts of Congress are at all faithfully
carried out; unless bv means of dishonest
registrars, or by more violent measures, the
people of the State are not defrauded Of
their remaining privileges rights they
have not--and we are 10th to believe that
such will he the case. North Carolina has
nothing to fear at the ballotbcx> With
very largely more than double the number
of voters III favor of the whites, even after
every one probably OF possibly disfran-
chised by Congress under the most illibe-
raj construction of the acts are prohibited
from voting, and with such an insig-
niicant number of white Radicals,
the cause of peace and order and good gov
eminent have no reason for alarm if our
people will only throw off their present
lethargy, and be promptly registered aud
taking matters as they are thrust upon us,
make the best of them.
A month hence, registration begins, and
the few remaining doubts as to who are
qualified to register and vote, will by that
time, be definitely settled, either by an or
der direct from General SICKLEs or from
the Attorney General. There will then re-
main no excuse for any ono holding back
but great will be the responsibility Of those
who do, both to the present generation and
the future, if by such indifference OK cow
ardice, the destinies Of North Carolina are
intrusted to the keeping of just such per-
sons as in Tennessee have added to the suf-
ferings and distresses of war, the tyranny
and civil confusion and terror which now
Cypress that State. The people of North
Carolina can and must control the political
power necessary to save the State from the
ruin which now threatens, and restore her
to the Union under such restrictions as are
required, as will eventually secure equal
rights with the other States, and prevent
social and political confusion and distress
at home. The Indifference, proceeding
from what cause it may, which will keep
the citizen from registering and voting,
viii sink in common grave his political
privileges and his property. The spirit of
faction and prescription which will triumph