Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-02-22
Our Federal Relations.


tive outgivings by prominent Republican
tCongressme,I, that Stevens had succeeded
in pushlrG his radical measures through
the House, and possibly, before we go to
press they may also have passed the Sen
ate. It will then only require the form of
being passed over the veto to become the
law of the land. Our people have long
been prepared for the enforcement of the
most extreme measures which have been
presented to Congress, and the passage of
the various bills, beginning with the Civil
Rights bill to this last, are but successive
steps in the party programme. Since the
Senate of the United States stopped to turn
out a Senator from a sovereign State, and,
in order to do SO, an honorable Senator de-
liberately voted in defiance of his promise
to an absent colleague with the approval
of his party, we have been prepared Tor
the consummation of any object which
party success required.
True, many among US hoped, and posi-
bly, are still not without it, that a returning
sense of magnanimity and justice would
yet compel the Northern people to stop
the fell spirit of persecution which has
hunted us down in our honorable helpless
ness Some who had known their gallan-
try and proves upon the field, and as foes
had mutually won the respect of each other,
were not prepared for the bitter and vim
dictive spirit which has followed our de-
feat, while others supposed our bearing as
citizens would have been met with equal
frankness and sincerity. When we read
the provisions of the Stevens bill, we can
hardly bring ourselves to believe that such
are the measures desired to be meeted out
by the representatives of these men, whose
gallantrv we have admired on SO many
fields; whose manhood has been tested III
an hundred battles, to those who, on as
many occasions, have called forth the ad,
miration of chief and private; and we are
not yet prepared to think that those who
composed the .fghting portion of their
armies are truly represented by men who
desire to prescribe such cowmdly punish
ment for fallen foes.
In speaking of the passage of this bill by
the House of Representatives, the National
LateHigeacer comments upon it with equal
severity and justice. 1t says:
'"Ihe blacklist record ever made by all as
sembly of the representatives Of free peo-
pie stained yesterday the proceedings of
the House of Representatives. Never, in the
tyranous hour of the Long Parliament mis-
rule never, amid the utmost snbservlence
to the royal mandate of an English king ;
~ L I ! l., 1ol, 49,, Oh
convention, did the representatives of the
people stamp themselves with greater igno-
miny. The bill, which passed by a vote Of
100 to 80, hands one-third of the people of
this country over to military government.
For the rule of law, it substitutes the will
of an officer. For the tribunal of judge,
it furnishes drumhead court-martial or a
|; military commission. For the process of a
Icourt and the peaceful visit of sheriff, it
proffers the order of a petty satrap and the
presence of a squad of bayonets. Itignores
the Chief Magistrate of the United States.
It invests a General with absolute power
over one-third of his countrymen. 1t erects
subordinate dictators, armed with unbri-
Idled power, from the Potomac to the Rio
Grande. Throughout this broad domain,
comprising the fairest and most fertile Sec
ton Of the Republic, no man is to have a
secure title to his property no mans house
is free from search no mans chattels eX-
empt from seizure no mans liberty unex-
posed to assault no mans life safe from
peril An army officer, soldier, exalted
above the law, may ruthlessly invade citi-
zen's home and drag him from the bosom
of his family. Such bill makes mockery
of free institutions It despites all the great
safeguards of popular liberty. 1t tramples
on the freedom of the press. 1t annihi-
lates the right of free assemhlage. 1t silen-
J ces the lips of free speech. It infringes the
right of the people to bear arms 1t wipes
out the guaranty of a grand jury present
ment It abolishes the exemption of free
dom from seizure nnd from search. 1t alb
rogates the right of trial by a Jury of ones
peers in the vicinage of the commission OF
the alleged offence. 1t tramples upon the
prerogative of the President, it makes war
upon the Constitution, it rebels against the
authority of the Supreme Court. It in
vades the sacred constitutional rights of
the citizen It is treason enveloped in the
forms of law. It is rebellion wearing the
garb of legitimate power. 1t is usurpatlon
assuming the sanctity of constitutional en-
actment."
The final passage of this bill and the
change of government made necessary
thereby, will find the people of North Car
DINA prepared to submit to the humilia-
ton with a quiet and necessary submis-
sion. They feel, as only proud and hon.
orable people can, the spirit which prompts,
more than the means used for punishment.
When the present political excitement has
lsubsided when the revolution has run its
course and the injustice and malice of the
day shall have given way before the sooth-
ing effects of time and the powerful infiu-
ences of truth, the Southern people may
hope to receive the reward due their cour'
age, their sufferings and their honesty.
As bad as this bill is, it has its virtues
We believe that the welfare of our people
will be under the care of much more hui
name ard honorable men than if We were
to be turned over to the tender mercies OF
those sons of the South, who will procure
the humiliation of. their people at the cost
of their own infamy. Without the promise
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