Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-05-17
THE WILMINGTON JOURNAL
WILMINGTON. n. c..
SATURDAY. MAY IL. 1867.
The Colore;, Nan and the Ballot.

We have always endeaVOreu 10 StlIe Iue
positions of persons correctly, and are un-
willing to base an argument or make q
point against parties or individuals by mis-
representing their views. Mr.. Harris COM
plains to us that we have done him injus-
tice in our article yesterday, in relation to
his address at the Theatre on Monday
night, more from the inference which we
drew, than from the words used. He did
advise the unity of the colored people, not,
however, as against the whites, but for pro-
lection against designing politicians who
desired only to use them as a ladder to
mount into power and the emoluments OF
Office. He assures us that he is rs much
opposed TO an enmity between the races as
which lie has addressed his people, to ad-
wise them against this evil.
We are glad to be able to make this cor
rection, and we can assure him if he will
devote himself to the elevation of his peo-
pie and keep them out Of the hands of de-
signing men, who expect to use them as
tools for their own elevation, he will de-
serve and receive the thanks of both races.
Much can be done in this respect, and the
field is an inviting one for man of his in
telhgence. No thoughtful black man can
fail to see the object of the present adula-
ton of their race numbers Of them are
wise enough to understand the purpose of
their newly acquired powers. lfthey had
been armed with the ballot merely for their
good if this fact alone was to rebound TO
the welfare of the colored people, and the
men who had conferred it were to be re-
garded as piOus missionaries, deVOt1ng their
time and the nations money for the bene-
fit of the ignorant blacks, it would be nat
uraI to suppose that Northern States,
where the Radicals already have control
ling maierities, would elevate the negro IN
the same way. If these men were honest
in their love of the black man, if their only
object was that of truthful desire to ele-
yate the race, we would suppose their ora
tors would first ''pluck the mote out OF
their own eyes" No. Party success is as
sured there, and they care very little
whether the blacks have any rights. There
are but few of this race in those States, and
from want of encouragement and sympa-
thy, and by prosecutions, riots and call I'M
charitableness, their numbers are daily
diminishing.
The great fear we have for the colored
man is that the presentltendency is to con-
vert the race into mere voting machine,
and these people who have always been
contented laborers will be rendered worth
less, either to themselves or to the whites
In the present condition Of affairs the
South cannot afford to retain upon her soil
drones, be they white OF black. If the
present political situation is seized upon
by men who can use the blacks, and divert
them from their habits of industry, and
destroy the mutual confidence existing be-
tween them and their former owners, the
disastrous results may easily be predicted.
The evil effects upon the blacks Of the adj
dresses Of the Northern emissarleB
are already apparent, and stupid, ambitious
persons among them, who hope to realize
something from the present excitement,
are Installing into their minds sentiments
which, if INDUCED in, must rapidly dry up
every kindly feeling the whites have for
them.
If the negro was urged with the same
zeal to labor, to be honest, to seek educa-
ton, no elevate himself and his race, as he
is tovote the Radical ticket and to despise the
"rebel," we might hope for the welfare
and prosperity of these people. A desire
to secure their votes will give abundant
reason for efforts which will lead to their
corruption. Raymond, the able editor of
the New York Times, d Radical himself,
and by his speeches and votes in Congress
responsible for the present political condi-
ton of affairs, in deprecating the evil in
huences Of the Radical campaign in the
South, upon the negro, says most truly
and forcibly that any sort of political en-
E' terprise which aims to use the freedmen
sc as a voting class, will begin in their cor
g eruption and end in their political and
&c social destruction.
To prevent this result do we labor, and
shall continue to do so as long as there re-
ultlIAo Il nope OF saving luSn 1IOn Tic u0-
vouring jaws of demagogues and worthless
adventures. The prosperity of the coun.
try, the welfare of the whites, and the sal
Walton of the blacks rest upon the ability
of the good men of all colors and races tc
save these people from the political sharks
who seek to levOur them.
We are glad, therefore, that Mr.. Harris
who seems to be the principal and the
ablest of their orators, will labor for the
real welfare of his people. He must, how
ever, separate the wheat from the chaff-
AS much as he may desire the unity of The
colored people for their own projections
for in unity there is strength, 1T may b.
purchased at too great sacrifice, even il
the corruption and the political and socia
ruin of the very people whom he would
save. If ignorant and impudent fellows
black or white, set themselves up as teach
ers of these people to lead them by falls