Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-06-28
'Au Voted Aye, Except the Secretary of War,
VINO Voted Nay


We suppose no one can read the pro-
ceedings of the Cabinet meeting, tele-
graphed to and published in our columns
yesterday morning, upon the points raised
by the Attorney General in constituting the
reconstruction acts of Congress, without
being struck with the humiliating position
into which party drill forced the Secretary of
War. However plain the proposition, if
its tendency was to enfranchise persons at
the South, solitary and alone, this official
voted in the negative, and only when con-
frming some point establishing sure dis
qualification did Mr.. STANTON concur with
the other members of the Cabinet No in
telIgent man can read over these proceed
ings, whatever may be his political feel
ings, without coming to the conclusion
that the Secretary of War was wholly and
entirely Influenced in his action by what
would benefit the Radical party, and not
what was the Interpretation of the act
Its purpose. not its meaning, was probably
better understood by this officer than by
the others. However this may be, the
spectacle is most humiliating to the coun-
try. When men in the highest positions
under the Government make such an I'M
worthy and disgraceful exhibition of party
malice and bitterness, acting under the i'm
portant responsibilities which they did, we
have cause to fear for the ultimate peace
and welfare of the country. When men
who cannot rise above the petty plottings
of party Vaccinations in settling great
questions of government, directly bearing
upon the liberty, property, and future wei
fare of ten millions of people, are tolera-
ted, nay, honored by a great party, it is
the surest evidence of the decadence of
that manly spirit and lofty patriotism which
nurtured and sustained those intellectual
giants and noble patriots who have shed
lustre upon the American name and given
grandeur to American institutions.
The President does not seem to be de-
tered in the performance of his duty by
the disapproval of his Secretary of War,
but concurs with the other members of his
Cabinet, and will issue his orders in accor
dance Herewith. There can really be but
little benefit derived from one party or an
other under the construction given by At
torney General, as he DISTINGUISHES many
citizens, such as former Sheriffs, Clerks,
&C., who are permitted to register and vote
under the orders of General ScHoFIELD in
Virginia. We can see, however, much
good by having a uniform rule in all the
military districts, as Congress certainly
meant to apply the same rules to all-that
reconstruction should be the same in Vir-
ginia and Louisiana, North Carolina and
Mississippi but so fearful was Mr.. STAN
TON that the /" rebels might reap some adj
vantage by an honest and uniform construc-
ton of the law, that he voted against every
proposition comforting the right of suf-
frage.
The position of Mr.. STANTON in this
Cabinet meeting is not gerry aoalike that of
q redoubtable foreman of a petit jury some
years since in one of our upper Counties
The jury could not agree, and time and
again his Honor sent them back for fur
Their consultation, until the patience of both
Judge and jury was worn out. At the
close of the second days consideration, the
jury for the fifth time came in and asked
to be discharged. The Judge, as matter
of great precaution, asked the foreman if
there was no possibility of an agreement.
"No sir" promptly and pompously replied
the person addressed, Judge, there are
eEeuen of the most obstinate men on this jury
I ever knew" "All voted aye, except the
Secretary of War, who voted nay"