Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-01-03

pleased TO see THAI as tney geb Oout1i tiie
ice of their Northern preiudices melts. Ac-
cording to the correspondent OF the New
York Herald, who accompanies the party:
The reception of the party was nothing
less than an ovation. A dinner was given
in the evening that called together, in the
large dining room of the hotel, the repre-
sentative men of the city and many of the
ladies. The large dining hall of the hotel
was crowded to its utmost and IN response
to toast given by Col Hirkman, of this
city, hoping for a restoration of the old
Union and its glories, Vice President Eos
ter said that if the reception of this eve
ming were an assurance of what they should
get elsewhere the best expectations of their
hosts would be realized.
Senator Wade, when called to his feet,
stated that it was his intention at the COM
,mencement not to make a speech, and
though he felt complimented by the recep-
ton and should adhere to the resolution,
: he must confess 10 q most agreeable sur
prise at the cordially of the reception.
Senator Ramsay, on being called for, eI-
pressed his qualification at the unexpected
kindness received at the hands of the citl-
zens of Nashville, and hoped for a speedy
settlement of all difficulties. His remarks
were warmly received.
Senator Lane, in reply to call for him.
forever. The people of the North and
South should unite, as did their sires, whose
resources were from the same ever-spring-
ing fountain. His recollection of this re-
ception should always haunt the greenest
spot of memory's waste.
Ex-Governor Brown, Of Tennessee, in
reply, stated that he heartily shared the
sentiments expressed, and did not desire to
discuss the ethics of the recent controversy
1 ,
peace. He reioiced to see the representa-
tives of the national legislature. The same
banner now foated over our heads. What
ever our differences, the feeling most pre-
dominant among Southern people was to
have the Union restored. His speech was
all through enthusiastically applauded.
General Howard and representatives
Latin, Thomas and Kerr made speeches of
a similar character, and were most happy
in their efforts, and greeted with great APP
plause.
AS appropriate to this subject, and pos
sessing interest and possibly Importance,
We give the following extract from letter
i'll the Lynchburg Ners, witten by its edi-
tor, who became accidentally a member of
the travelling party a portion of the dis
lance between Lynchburg and Bristol
Deeming the opportunity too good to be
lost for getting at the real sentiments of
these leading Radicals, he sought an intro
duction, and conversed freely with Them
more particularly with Senator Wade, in
whom he found ''evidenc~S Of affability
g and good feeling even towards Southern
" Rebels, which astOnishcd' him. His ac-
count proceeds:
We do not, of course, design giving any
report Of the conversation held with these
representative men but rather to give the
conclusions aud deductions resulting from
an unrestraned and free intercourse Of
some hours under circumstances peculiarly
favorable to the exhibition of the real SEN
timents of the party for, if the old adage,
9 in vino veritaS, " be true, then the assid-
uity with which the delegation was piled
with champagne and other drir kables,
should certainly have extracted their real
sentiments, although previously concealed
most carefully in the Utmost recesses Of the
heart.
OF one thing our observations assured
us-that most distorted and unfounded
views are entertained of the real sentiments
and feelings of the Southern people, even
by men possessing the intelligence and in
formation presumed to exist in a number
of the United States Congress. Many Of
these prejudices and errors will doubtless
be corrected III the minds of those who
compose the present party of excursionists,
and to THAI extent, therefore, at least we
are justified in anticipating good results
from the experiment.
To give our readers some idea of the eX-
tent Of the misapprehensions which pre-
vail we will mention that several of the
members Of Congress, composing the par
ty, assured us that much lang number
would have come on, had it not been from
apprehensions of personal violence, the
impression being very generally prevalent
that 1T was unsafe for any of the Radical
party to venture on Southern soil, except
incognito. This Is the legitimate result of
the slanderous and mendacious publica-
tions with which their journals TEEN, and
which will certainly be corrected by the
experience of this trip.
The Radical party refuse to admit South
ern representatives mainly for the reason
that they fear for their ascendancy in Con-
gress. We have good reason to think that
If they could believe that the Southern del
egates would not to a man unite with the
Democratic party, and thus restore the an
cient supremacy of that party, many who
now oppose the admission of the Southern
delegates would favor it. With regard to
negro suffrage, all the party with whom we
conversed OH the subject admitted that
their individual predictions were against
1t, except Id q restricted form, but they ad-
VOcate 1t now because OF their party caucus,
and they are forced to yield their individu-
al convictions to the behests of their party.
They generally acknowledge the Difficult
ties which surround the question of recon
structlon, admit that there is no hope of
ratification by the Southern States of the
constitutional amendment, and admit that
the objections to- the Territorializing scheme
are almost insuperable. Indeed, we should
infer from the sentiments of this delega-
ton that the scheme will not at present be
pushed to contamination.
All of those who protested to desire to
see the existing difficulties settled, attribu-
ted much of the intolerant spirit manifest
ed by the North to the incorporate and de-
faint tone of the Southern Press Indeed
it was remarked by one of the party, ''that
If he could have control of the Southern
press until the LIST Of March, he had not a
doubt that every thing would be adjusted
to the satisfaction of both sections" He
also said, that whilst these infiammatory az
ticles were exceedingly unfavorable to
Southern interest, yet fawning sycophan-
cy is equally to be deprecated, as it at once
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