Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-10-18

terminating the war short of emancipation.
The effect of these appeals upon the col
ored delegates was manifested by the ex-
citemenS and enthusiasm with which they
rejected the councils of the more consider
ate of their own race, and one officer, lately
in the federal service, (Gen. Lafiin,) who
met only reproach and insult for raising
his voice in advocacy of moderation and
prudence.
The election of Gen. Abbott as perma
nent president of North Carolina conyen
ton was followed by the election of four
| Secretaries, two of whom were strangers
lately located among us, and two colored
men. It could hardly be expected that the
Congress of the United States would he
| likely to view the action of Convention
so controlled, as expressive of the true SEN
timents of this State, or the success OF q
party under it, as affording sufficient evil
dence of the temper and spirit of our peo-
pie, to Justify the restoration of the State
to its rights and powers IN the general gov
eminent.
But ar effort was, nevertheless, made to
quiet the public mind by committing the
party in this State, distinctly and authori-
tatively, upon three points, to wit: 1st.
Against the purpose or desire of conisca-
ting private property for political offences
in the present condition of affairs ID. In
for the extension of the elective franchise
to every white and colOred man alike 3.
In favor of the removal of disabilities from
true and loyal citizens within such limits
as Congress may deem safe and prudent in
his State. The COMMITTEE on platform
and resolutions" after full and prolonged
deliberation, reported to the Convention
three resolutions embodying these senti-
ments, and recommending their passage
But these resolutions were met by repe-
tition of excited and immoderate discus
sion, and voted down. 1t was unfortunate
that the motion upon which the first of the
resolutions was rejected was made, not by
any native citizen of the State, white or
colored, but by prominent politician from
the State of Ohio, (Col. Heaton) The
other two were rejected on the motion of
gentleman from New York (Col. Peck,
now resident in Wilmington. On motion
of native of the State, by BIRTH but who
now is and has been for some thirty years,
a resident of the City of Washington,
plan of party organization was adopted, so
, repugnant in its details to the customs and
, usages of our people, and as effective in
the hands of any who might seek to place
our government in the hands of strangers
bv controlling the colored vote, that it can
= not fail to excite additional alarm and dis
gust.
Northern men should be encouraged to
settle among US by extending to them eve
: nv courtesy and kindness, and by discoun-
} tenancing the revival of prejudices, which
should never have existed, and ought now
to be forgotten and buried forever But
while our people are willing for recent set
tiers among us to participate In our public
affairs it is not natural that they should
+ view with favor the appearance, even, OF
. an effort to place their government entirely
=. in the hands of strangers, to the exclusion
: of those whose information, interests and
experience so much better fit them to I'M
+ derstand and manage the manifold inter-
ests and exigencies connected with our
present unfortunate condition. 1t must
! appear to the people unkind and UNJUST to
take advantage of their helpless condition
e by exciting appeals and deluslve promises
to the most ignorant, and most unsuspect-
ing and docile of our population, and thus
= raise up enmity and antagonism among us,
f ruinous to the colored man, for whose
rights and welfare every good citizen IS
now solicitous, and destructive of the eff
. forts of those who are labOring to prepare
E the State for return to the Union by
+ bringing the popular mind in cordial unity
with the great principles Of the Republican
party.
, It cannot be expected that a convention
] | IN IlllS OCdte apparently COuCIOhSu ~ ouCh
influences and distinguished by such action
can command the appreciation and conf
. dence of the people of North Carolina. But
L it is advised and hoped that no true repub-
: lican will abandon the party or abate his
. zeal in support of it's princl pies because OF
u the temporary and accidental ascendancy
: of ill-advised and improper counsels in q
. single assemblage. Rather let our adher-
- ence to and support of the republican par
Ii ty be increased and strengthened, that by
!, the triumph of its policy we may see the
Il Union reconstructed and confiscation there
! by rendered impossible-the constitution
. al amendment" adopted and universal suf-
= frage under it the fixed law of the land
Il and the official disabilities removed from
every one VINO is true to the Union and
e who discountenances all efforts to keep
If alive animosities and prejudices threaten
e ing to the peace and integrity of the ma
ton.
II Let the people meet in their respective
e counties and districts, by their own spon-
l, taneous action, and put forward their own
u candidates-men true to the Union and
trustworthy as republicans-and by sup
IS porting such, manifest to the nation that
?, in North Carolina there exists such pre-
IL 7ailing sentiment of nationality and such
voluntary obedience to the laws OF the land
l. that our restoration to rights and powers
e in the government, SO far from being dan
s. gerous to the peace and welfare of the re-
J. public, will add strength to the great edi
e flee of UNION, LIBERTY AND EQUALITY.
e BY requiring each candidate to announce
l. unequivocally his opposition to confiscatior
'r and his desire for the admission of every
u white and colored man alike to the ballot
box, the people may prevent the ignorant
and unsuspecting colored citizen from be-
t. ing deceived by vain promises of land do
" nations, into an attitude of hostility and
a conflict with his white neighbors, no less
u ruinous to himself than detrimental to the
'e peace and prosperity of the State. After
$, satisfactory State Constitution shall have
ID been framed, should any true Union man,
+ under official disability, be elected to any
J. position, Congress will, doubtless, remove
i such disability in each case, in Difference
" to the wishes of a true and loyal corstltu
"a ency, and thus protect the people against
"a transfer of their government to the hands
u of strangers. =,
b. However much the conduct and spirit oil
ty the late convention may be deplored, and