Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-05-17

bankrupts, to disseminate their peculiar
views. and the restraint imposed upon the
Virginia press and orators in exposing these
fellows, followed by the disgraceful and
libelous charge of Judge Underwood, would
have q tendency to incite the Ignorant
blacks to violent and illegal conduct in that
State.
The serious and alarming riot which oc-
CURED in Richmond on Thursday is most
assuredly the legitimate offspring of this
unnatural state of affairs. We have de-
plored the efforts of the Radicals to unite
the blacks by leagues and other political
and religious societies, as the ultimate and
certain result must be organized opposition
to the whites and to the law, when exc
cuted against one of their number. We
see in the Richmond riot, the early and sad
illustration of tits very fact, and the ex-
element and alainuS Of the mob may well
be imagined, when the appeals and orders
of General SCHoFIELD, in person, were IN
needed, and the rioters were only driven
back at the point of the bayonet. This
riot began in an attempt to rescue an Of
fender from the officers of the law, and but
for the interpretation of Federal soldiers,
would have ended probably in deluging the
streets of Richmond in blood.
The frequent occurrence OF similar affairs
throughout the South are subjects OF most
serious reflections. Before the passage OF
foo hIfN
the Northern elections, riots were lnaugu-
rated at the South, expressly to manufacture
political capital fer thepurpose OF securing
thesuccess of Radical candidates, and to eX-
cuse the extreme measures already deter
mined upon as the means of building up
their party in the South. Possibly the
success of the Conservatives in Connec-
ticut and Kentucky, as well as III the
many municipal elections in the North
west. prompted resort to their old sue
cessful scheme-of one fact We have long
been satisfied, that the Southern blacks are
to be the instruments of securing Radical
success, and whether it is done by their
ballots or their blood is matter of little
concern to those who direct the fortunes Of
the party.
In this growing arrangement between
the whites and blacks we fear the worst con-
sequences, and we regret TO see men OF
high character occupying distinguished
official positions under the government,
traversing the length and breadth OF our
section, giving their assistance, whatever
may be their professions to the contrary,
to it's development, when they see, day by
day, the evil consequences, and know that
the result will be most detrimental to the
whole country, disastrous especially to the
South, and utterly ruinous to the poor 1g-
norant people whose welfare they pretend
to have under their peculiar charge.
In most of the larger places of the South
the intercourse between the races has been
disturbed by disorders and riots of greater
or less degree. With us, we are happy to
state, nothing unpleasant has occurred, and
we trust the good sense which has hereto
fore controlled the conduct of all classes will
continue. With but few exceptions, we
have heard of nothing from their speakers
or meetings of character to inclte the
colorcd people against the whites, but
must deprecato the growing tendency of
their secret political, and even religious
organization, of laying the foundation
of troubles similar to those we have re-
corded as happening in other places. We
would hail with pleasure organizations
purely for the social and intellectual eleva-
ton of the race, but when these aSsocla-
tions extend to the protection of dlsorderly
and lawless, even criminal members, from
the officers Of the law, OF to endorse the
conduct of persons because they are NOM
bers, which should rather secure their ex-
pulsion, we fear that the legitimate object
of all virtu0us and honest associations Will
rapidly degenerate into revolutionary meet
ings which will ultimately lead their mem
bers into error and trouble.
Against this we would warn our colored
people. If we felt no sympathy for them,
which is not the case, the wish for the pros
perity of our community would be sutti-
Cl0uU DGOOl Vi U11C t1AANA
ness with which we utter it. Many of these
people have as much interest as we i'll the
welfare of this city; VIC are glad to know
many of them are acquiring by their hon
est labors a home, and are endeavoring to
rear their children to become useful and
intelligent citizens and have and deserve
the best wishes of every honorable man
in our midst. They, as much as any of oul
people, wish and require continuance Of
the good feelings between the races, and
the peace and tranquility of the city. Tc
do this, they must aid, not only by then
conduct, but by their sympathy, in the
rigid enforcement of the law against al
offenders, whatever may be their politics OF
race, and must not be led, by party leagues
or religious associations, into unlawful pro
lection of, or sympathy with, bad people
because they are of their own color. They
know that their rights will be fully pro
tected by the civil officers of the State
from the highest to the lowest, and thai