Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-09-13
From the Baltimore San. E.
I In

At this moment the most profound quiet
pervades all the communities of the South.
| Net SO much as a hostile word to the Uni
| ted States Is heard anywhere. A people
who were q few years ago in arms, and
whose resoiute valor challenged the admi-
ration of the world, are now governed with
out difficulty by Il handful of troops, and
would be just as orderly and non resistant
| If all those troops were removed. They
have submitted to the tremendous penalties
imposed upon them without murmur. If
they have erred they have bitterly paid for
it. The flower OF their population lies in
a bloody grave. They have been stripped
Of possessions equal in value to the national
debt of the United States They have COM
piled with every requisition which the
President of the United States announced
as condition for their restoration to the
government. They have seen the freed
man excited to deeds of violence and in
suit, and amidst an intolcrant beastiality
which may thus be engendered, many
among them entertain apprehensions of
most fearful outbreaks from the effects of
the demOnlac cOunsels which are insidious-
ly breathed into the ears of the blacks by
tiends in human form. Excluded from
Office, and their leading men DISTINGUISHED,
they have seen suffrage forced upon their
former slaves by those who do not permit
colored men among themselves to exercise
it. Amidst all this they have displayed
heroic fortltude and patience which chal-
lenges admiration in any heart that is
capable Of spark Of magnanimity
They do not even, for the most part, dis
play a disposition to enlist in the discussion
of those questions in relation to the trans
fer of their military commanders which
cd
and acrimony. Their journals declare that
to them it is a matter of little moment what
officer executes the reconstruction laws
Yet there are radical presses which are only
stimulated by the noble spectacle of sub
mission and tOrbearance to Cry out for fresh
vengeance upon them, to declare that they
have not been punished enough, and that
nothing but additional infiction will make
them loyal. 1t is obvious that If such q
spirit is to dictate the future policy of this
government toward the Southern States, if
they are to be held responsible and are to
be scourged for controversies outside their
borders, when their organs of public opin-
ion expressly disclaim all responsibility for
the same, it is idle to hope for proper re-
storation of the Union. The pleasing ilIu- |
sion to which patriotic hearts SO tenacious |
ly cling may as well be banished at once,
and the American people learn, like the
South, to ''accept the situation" which is
henceforth, if such counseis prevail, to be |
the permanent subjugation and alienation
of the lately seeded States, accompanied
by the Authorization Of their governments,
the control of the legislation of the whole
country by the introduction of the same
element into our national councils, and the |
chronic arrangement Of labor, commerce,
and every source of individual and nation
al wealth and prosperity in States which
were once, and are capable of being made
again, the chief foundation of the trade
and revenue of the nation.