Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-07-12
HE WILMINGTON JOURNAL
Political Tinnfdity.


"Next to usurpation of power, says
Mr.. FITCH. the United States District At
torney for Georgia, in recent letter to the
people of that State, 81 there is no higher
grade in political crime than tlmld aban-
donment of rights" Never were more
opportune words written at more suitable
time. The dominant party has shown no
backwardness, but very perseverlng zeal
in the usurpation of power, and the South
ern people have met each new assumption
with a tinnid abandonment of rights. 1t is
true that much has been done by force,
bnt much more has been timidly surren-
dered. At first policy dictated this con-
duct as conducive to propitiate the wrath
of the "powers that be, " but repeated con-
cessions were met with new demands,
until sad experience has taught US that
nothing is to be made by such course,
while great sacrifice of feeling, of pride, OF
honor and of self-respect, was involved.
We are no better off to-day for having
voluntarily declared our ordinances OF Sc
cession null and void, for abolishlng slaT cry
and repudiating the war debt nor any the
worse for having refused to accept the How
ard Amendment. Party success, and lot
nolitical principle, is the secret Of recon-
struction that only is arrived at by the
expensiye and disgraceful Congressional
legerdemain, by which we are treated as In
the Union, when we are to be punished and
injured, and out Of it when we might be
benefited.
HWhile we have 10 choice III accepting OF
refusing the Reconstruction Acts when
now are or that may be IN force, we have
never thought we would be admitted to re-
presentation in the present Congress I'M
less led in as captives by the Radicals, or
worse, as their subsidized allies-our mis-
cradle franchise purchased at the exp nse
of the rights of living brethren and the
blood of dead heroes We have from the
first. Notwithstanding our firm conviction
on this subject, advised our people to re-
gister and vote, for by this means alone can
we save our section from worse late than
has yet befallen it. As long as we deal
alone with the Radicals at Washington,
something may be saved from the wreck OF
the States, but once let our Southern
"Loyalists take control, and IN their
grasp goes every vestige of manliness and
virtue, every remnant of justice and law
now left to US. By an honest compliance
with the Acts, we may inger around the
precincts of the Government /; may stand
disconsolate and look through the opening
door at the beauties and attractions Of the
National Capitol. that Paradise Of polltl-
clans, but the boon which gains us admls-
sion is found in higher grade OF political
crime than in complying with their pre-
scribed terms.
Let us, nevertheless, comply, not by a
timid abandonment of our rights, but by
selecting those men to represent us, who
being otherwise qualified, will not commit
us to acts which will mantle our cheeks
with the blush of shame. Ii our efforts to
conform to the law is met with rebuff,
let the question then be referred anew to
the people of the North, and at the ballot
box there, and not by timid abandonment
of rights here let the yexed question OF re-
construction be definitely settled.