Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-04-26
THE WILMINGTON JOURNAL
Harmony of Action.


We cannot but think that the present
aspect of political affairs inthe South ismore
promising than at any time since the close
of the war. At the latter period two dis
cordant elements were suddenly exhibited
in direct antagonism each to the other
The subjected white on the one hand, and
the newly enfranchised negroes, melted by
the evil teachers of Radical Republicanism
on the other, were suddenly forced into
new relations An equal extremity of opin-
ion of each party was only one Of the ma
tional results brought about by the man
ner in which the war closed Since then,
time. as usual. has worked its own wonders,
and the extremists of either side have been
gradually approaching each other, until
now the two races, whose interests IN many
points are identically the same, are natu-
rally harmon1zing together. This state of
affairs it is one Of the most cherished ideas
of the Radicals to prevent, and to this end
every exertion is being called into requls1-
ton. A vigorous campaign is about to be
inaugurated by them !; political pilgrims
are to perambulate the South government
funds are to be scattered broadcast among
the faithful incendiary pamphlets are to
be circulated 1; the President and the adj
ministration to be denounced; confiscatlon
to be urged, and every species Of morality
and virtue which Will not aid in party ag-
grandizement to be damned IS heretical
and REASONABLE.
Yet we opine that the task Of recon-
structing the South upon the Radical
theory will be Herculean task, and
one which that party will not be able to
accomplish. / thorough and resolute
resistance upon the part of the Con
seryatiYes is the only means by which their
object can be defeated, and the South re-
stored upon anything like an honorable
and just basis to its olden place in the Uni
on. To effect this, we must rely, in great
measure, upon the aid of our freedmen.-
The two electoral elements Of the South,
the white and the colored race, formerly
so dramatically opposedto each other, but
now, through the influences Of an equal
community of interest approaching so
nearly the dividing line, must all together
work tremendously, ana for the same end.
That they will do this, and that true cor
daily of feeling is rapidly being cemented
between the two people, is evidenced more
and more on each succeeding day. The re-
cent caucuses in Richmond, happening SO
nearly together, and exhibiting such differ
emit degrees of feeling, is proof positive Of
this. In the one we see gathering of dis
cordant masses, delegates Of their own
choosing, whose deliberations were marked
with violence, falsehood, and every discor-
dant element which the fierce preiudices Of
untutored minds can produce. In the
other, we have beheld deliberate and har-
monious assembly Of intelligent colored
delegates, meeting together in q grave ses-
sion, discussing calmly and without pas
sion, the true interests Of both races, and
assisted in their deliberations by some of
the most respected aud intelligent gentle
men of the city. And this, too, within two
years from tho time when those two races
moved together in the same communities
as acknowledged and bitter enemies, one
to the other. The gall and NORWOOD held
to the lips of the Confederate, has lost
much of its bitterness, and the vile prompt
ings and teachings of the Radical emissa-
ries so sedulously instilIed into she minds
of the African, have paled before the great
err light of truth and integrity. If the past
two years, bitter as they have been to
many, have produced such happy results,
what may not be hoped for before the
next cycle shall roll its course OF YER
ity there is cause for the disturbance in the
Radical camps, and for the new hopes
which are arising in the Conservative
breast.