Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-07-26
Thoughts upon our Political Condition.

Thoughts upon our Political Condition.
Casting our gaze over the political sky
Wa scan the horizon in search of that sta
of hope which shall guide us forth from
amidst the present difficulties with which
we are surrounded to the light of that more
perfect day where peace and harmony ma.
once more throw its benign influence owe
our distracted country. Oppressed by the
mad rule of fanaticism, bending and crush
ed beneath the weight of poverty, strug
Cling even in the face of despair, with
scene of ruin and almost utter devastation
around them, the people of the South pre-
sent TO the world an example of heroism
manly sufferance and devotion hitherto I'M
paralleled in the history of nations. Having
borne all that it would seem possible to
bear, their necks are still bowed beneath
the yoke, and their self-sacrifcing devotion
to their country and their country's good,
strengthen them even for future burdens.
Though her fields have been wasted, hel
firesides made desolate and the hearts OF
the old and young bowed down in sorrow,
vet the South has something left to her,
even with all this ruin. Hand in hand,
with their venerated sires, the young men
of this generation are applying themselves,
Notwithstanding their discouragements, to
work out future prosperityfor their country.
In their noble efforts and devotion they pre-
sent sight, indeed, worthy Of admiration
Having fought in the cause which they
cherished, participated in their country s
victories and shared in her defeat, and hay
ing been thus deprived of that education
which would have developed all their latent
powers and caused them to shine with two
fold brightness, they are still found pur-
suing the path of duty, and when the time
comes will apply their shoulders to the
wheel, and enter upon the political arena
with principles firm as adamant, just and
pure, and will be none the meaner repre-
sentatives of their country for having
shared in her vicissitudes. They appear
to realize the fact that their sires cannot
again participate in their country's service;
the sturdy oak bows not to the blast, but Is
uplifted by the roots, and when the storm
has passed cannot again rear its head and
grace the broad field where it once
stood SO noble and proudly defiant. But
upon the younger plants, who have felt
the storm with equal severity, but being
more plant, can again weather it, and, IN
fact, gained strength by the tempestuous
blast to which they have been subjected,
devolves the duty of supplying the place OF
those noble old landmarks ; and they will
rear their heads among heforesto Of cotempo-
raries, and gather strength for further en-
durance, and the attainment OF future
ends. In the possession OF such noble
young spirits, who give such promise OF
future usefulness and fidelity to their
country, both in advancing her prosperity
in legislative halls, and in developing her
resources, is the South rich, and retains q
relic of the late destructive storm, which OF
itself is invaluable, and which cannot be
wrested from her.
In the overthrow of the great Radical
Republican party alone have we cause for
hope. BE- this means, and this alone, can
we reasonably expect again to have voice
in the councils of the nation, and attain to
that proud pre-eminence which formerly
was our boast. With this hope we are
strengthened for future endurance, and
upon which we base our desires for
the rapid advancement and march
of that Southern intellect in which
our country, as in times past, prom
ises to be so rich. That this domi-
nant party will at last be overthrown, we
are confident; not, however, that we expect,
frail as we are, to accomplish this most de-
sirable end, but in the qualification of pas
sion, the indulgence of fanatical hatred
and spite, and yielding to blind, insatiate
and Unsuitable fury, they will accomplish
their own destruction. To secure to them
selves the power which they feel rapidly
slipping from their grasp, and repair the
injuries Which have been caused by the
desertion of reasonable mel, they have
stopped not at the most unconstitutional,
wild and frenzied measures. But just re-
tribu.ion awaits them. They are driven on
by power which they cannot resist. To
stand still they cannot, to go forward they
must, and thus are rapidly approaching
their end. In all their boosted strength and
might, they are helpless /; for, in avoiding
the engulfng whirlpool of Charybdis, they
are approaching the rocks of Scylla, upon
wh;ch the party ship will meet with utter
destruction.
The Crisis