Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-09-06


of the Constitution and the liberty insured
in that framework and former guide, stand
aghast at the measures which have been in
stituted to effect its overthrow and the ruin
of the country. The future of the govern
ment is in doubt. We stand as it were up
on the verge of a precipice-blind fanati-
cism urging US on to the gulf OF rain and
anarchy, while discord sways the mass with
a terrible force which threatens its precip-
itation. Something must intervene be-
tween us, the people at large, and destruc-
ton. The strong arm of the law must be
interposed order must be maintained; the
rights guaranteed under the Constitution
indicated its great supremacy again es-
tablished and, leaving fanatics and their
leaders to WORK out their own destruction,
the people and the country must be saved,
and turned aside from the paths in which
they have been ensnared and placed again
upon that beaten road, which We once pur-
sued so happily and with such harmony and
prosperity.
In the crisis to whom does the country
look for the accomplishment of such good?
Certainly not to Congress. The course
which it has pursued has been fraught with
nothing but embarrassment, except 1t be
the attainment of party ends. And to nt-
tain these ends millions have been expend-
ed and the prosperity of the country re-
tarded No the present hope of the
people must rest with him who has
sworn to "preserve, protect and de-
fend the Constitution " to the best Of his
ability-the Executive-wi whom alone
rests the duty of interposing the strong
arm of the law. Calling the powers vested
in him by the Constitutional which Con-
gress has attempted to divest him-to his
aid, he must put down usurpation; declare
the rights of the several sections; thwart
thuse ruinous measures for partizan tri-
umph and the destruction of the country,
and restore that harmony and peace SO es-
sential to the prosperity and happiness of
the whole land. VIII he conform to the
requirements of his oath Will he have
the firmness to declare the inviolability of
the principles and teachings of the Consti-
tuition and .aCM lie maintain them i1tUio-
late FROM further encrOachnaents :? These are
questions of the most vital Importance to
the people. We trust that the develop
ment of events may give them an affirma-
tive answer. We yet hope that the Execu-
tive will save from total wreck the remain
ing fragments of the Constitution. In any
event his duty is plain. Manfully should
he make the attempt, and either save or go
down with that instrument he has
sworn to preserve. There is no other
course to pursue. His oath so enjoins up
on him, and he must conform to its require
ments.
If the Executive should fail in his duty
to himself and the country, then there is
but one exit from this political maelstrom
which threatens to engulf us. We must
then look to the strong common sense and
intelligence of the people, both North and
South. They must rise in the coming
elections and overturn the faction which
menaces our prosperity, and even the re-
public itself This done, and the govern
ment based on intelligence, not ignorance,
the republic will be then truly restored.