Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-07-05
Orthodox and I1eterodOx.

Politics, like other distinctions which
divide society, has its tenets and heresies,
and the causes which operate to proclaim
one orthodox and denounce the other as
heterodoX, are similar, and frequently sue
cess is mistaken for authority to control
matters entirely beyond the province of
any human organization. Upon the prip-
ciple that the end justifes the means, the
grossest violations of law and the utter dis
regard of associated or individual rights
are approved, if the true doctrines are pro-
mulgated and established. Success, the
foundation of power, its continuation and
permanent establishment, is made the first
duty of the faithful. The most violent
apostate and abandoned dissenter, upon
the weakest confession and mildest repent
ance, is met with the deepest professions
and profoundest Joy, and receives imme
date promotion in adverse ratio to his for
mer convictions and works-the chiefest
sinner and most successful laborer in the
on the highest and most orthodox seats upon
the first intimation of change of heart.
So, too, measures at variance with human
Justice and divine laws are endorsed, if
their object tends to the support of the es-
tablished creed. Injustice, hardships, hu-
initiation and dishonor are offered with one
hand, while the other is drawn back with
giants strength to force their acceptance,
and the recipients receive blessings and
curses IN the same breath. What history
history of depraved human naturo-is con-
tanned i'll the passing events of every day
matters The life OF nation is as check
cred and as changeful as that of a man, and
present purposes and future SUCCESS decide,
i'll most casce, the happiness and pros
perity of millions.
\ paper before lis, of unquestioned pOliti-
cal orthodoxy, in endeayoring to impress
upon the Southern people the necessity of
accepting the Reconstruction Acts, ac-
knowledges they "violate every cardinal
principle of our government, and arc at
variance with the clearest letter of the Con
stitution," but as means to an end, it is
proper to waive these secondary consid-
erations and suffer the present evil for per
manent and decided gain. And besides,
they are good laws and working very good
results. If, however, compliance is refused,
means must be used, even by severer legis-
lation, to bring to terms the contumacious
offenders This is not urged upon the
ground of national necessity, but is defend
ed only because the cardinal principles of
the government, being at variance with the
interests and success Of orthodox political
tenets, are wrong or useless in the pres
ent condition of the country, and that the
Constitution is a stupidity.
Another paper, equally orthodox, which
justifes all the extreme measures of Con-
gress, and applauds the idea of visiting up
on the heads of leading rebels condign
punishment for their crimes, with equal
vehemence commends the pardon of Gen
eral LoNGsTREET, and intimates further IA
vors as reward for purging himself of po-
htical heterodoxies.
We have read of orthodox political
preachers, who despised rebels with as
much fervor as they hated Satan, laying
their hands upon the heads of converts,
with pious benedictions and hopeful prom
Uses, though perhaps in the recesses of some