Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-09-13
Governor Graham-our Public Men,


We are ever reluctant to re-publish I'M
authorized statements, or extracts from let
tiers purporting to emanate from leading
men upon the questions of the day, for We
have often seen that gross injustice has
been done, and in not few instances, mis-
chief has resulted. Therefore in publish
ing the following paragraph, purporting to
be an extract from letter written by Hon.
W. A. GRAHAM to gentleman residing in
Van Buren,, Arkansas, which we find going
the rounds of the press, we do SO with
many misgivings as to its genuineness.
We hardly think, if Governor GRAHAM felt
called upon to make public his opinion in
regard to the political questions which now
agitate the country, that he would do SO
in letter. to gentleman living in SO re-
mote portion of the South. The people OF
North Carolina have frequently honored
this distinguished son, and we doubt if
there is to-day man within her borders
who is more trusted or who has so much
influence as Governor GRAHAM. We are
satisfied that when he believes he should
make public his opinions in regard to the
present reconstruction measures, his words
will. be addressed to the people of his
State.
We have long thought that our leading
men should give the people the benefit of
their advice. In the whole political his
tory of the country never were the citizens
80 Lo of 4bo
sci of her men of large experience and &C
knowledged ability. Former campaigns
only resulted in the triumph or defeat
of one of two honorable parties which
formerly divided the country, and in
either event the talent, moral and ply
steal, controlled the result. But now all is
changed. The intelligence, the moral and
social worth of the country is to great
measure DISTINGUISHED, and the destinies of
ten States seem about to be turned over to
edness of their white allies. The great
pulse of the country ceases to beat and its
heart is paralyzed in the face Of the immi-
nent dangers which threaten. In this
crisis the people naturally turn to their
former leaders and demand of them advice
and counsel. If not the danger, gratitude
for honors conferred and confidence re-
posed in the past, should influence them to
lend their assistance in this, the darkest
hour of their history. We feel that con-
tinued silence on their part will be worse
than criminal, and if from want of zeal, of
unity of action and of wholesome advice
North Carolina drifts into the dark abyss
which has already engulfed her daughter,
Tennessee, those of her sons who have the
confidence of the people and to whom they
very properly look for advice, cannot en-
tirely hold themselves guiltless of the con-
sequences.
The following is the extract above re-
ferred to as addressed by Governor Ora
HAM to gentleman in Arkansas
sThe situation of the States of the South to
which you allude, is indeed melancholy. We are
realizing the truth of the declaration of Mr.. Fox
that the most dangerous Of all revolutions is a
restoration The idea of dstraining the States |
by military domination, into the adoption of Con-
situations for local governments with the right of
suffrage extended to negroes without any qualiti-
cation except being of the male sex and over q |
years of age, and by the Howard Amendment to |
the Constitution of the United States, at the same
time DISTINGUISHING all men of experience and in
tiuence among us, is the most solemn farce that |
has been enacted in all history. 1t is to roll back
the tide of civilization two centuries at least and
place the ballot in the hands of constituency less
qualified for the Office of government than has
before existed in any republican country. The
board of registers of voters has just been an
nounced here, and includes one negro to two white
men generally throughout the State When the |
whole series of steps in the process of recon-
structiOn it is called, shall have been contem-
plated, think the people, whenever they .coa-
stitute majorties, will find it to their interest to
vote against Conventions for the objects in view
and bear with the reign of military governments
until another appeal can be made to public opn-
ion at the North and Northwest"