Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-05-08
Conservatism.


ourselves in the strict school of Jeffersonial
Democracy and lifelong adherents and ad
vocates of it's prin 81 pies, we most cheer
fully submitted to the wishes of those who
had formerly differed with us in regard to
the adoption of name under which We
should fight Radicalism in this State Be
tween true CONGRATULATIONS who ap
prove the principles for which we contend
ed in the late contest, and voted and acted
not from mere policy-those who really
love their country and desire to uphold the
! Constitution-there is not and cannot be
any difference. And we were willing
when all were laboring honestly and sin
cerely to attain the same great end, and
actuated by like worthy purpose, to show
the utmost regard to the prejudices of the
most fastidious in respect to names. While
there can be really little or 10 reason why
| former Wings should dislike to assume the
name of Democrat, we can we'll appreciate
a sentiment which makes it fit awkwardly
upon their shoulders. Yet when the FILL
AoREs, BRooKsEs, ADAMsEs, REvERDY JOHN
SONS, of the North, and the SHARKEYs,
! YERGERs, PARSONS and JENKINS, of the
South, are among the leaders of the Demo
cratic party, surely there cannot be good
reason for their political admirers and
| former party associates in North Carolina
to stand aloof.
We have fought Radicalism at home
IL.
prevent they can and will go on in their
course without let or hindrance. Their
Governor elect, in the face of the direct
provisions of the recently ratified Consti-
tuition, already proclaims that certain per-
sons who opposed his election "will rot,
at any period in the future, be even
allowed to VOTE" thus foreshadowing the
unconstitutional prescriptions to be adop-
ted to secure, for an indefinite time, the
continued ascendancy of the negro
party. We are powerless within our
selves to uphold the fundamental law
and prevent such acts of tyranny. Our
only chance for succOr is from the Demo
Gratis of the North, with whom, except in
name, we are thoroughly identified
and upon whose success rests the
last hopes for constitutional RECONSTRUCT
ton OF the Union. Therefore with them
we mus cordially unite, and while we may
be North Carolina Conservatives, we are
National Democrats. We cannot afford to
divide our strength. Under the banner of
the National Democratic party we must
combat Fanaticism and Radicalism, and
with it triumph, or be trampled under the
feet of negroes and infamous political spec
ulaturs.
With these remarks we submit the fol-
lowing extracts :.
My Dear y0urnM Il presume [ state no
new thing to you, when [ say the election
is over and we have been defeated. Upon
as calm review as / can make OF the
course Of things in this State. [ must say I
think our defeat is no ust cause of sur
prise. 1t may too be safely said that Con-
servatism so-called in North Carolina has
proved failure. Neither is this matter
of surprise. There is nothing in Coneer-
vatism to make fight on, and had we been
obliged to fight solely ON Conservative
ground in the late campaign, we would not
have commanded a corporals guard. For
tunately the Constitution contained so much
Objectionable matter in itself, that we were
able to make some Roadway in spite of the
difficulties we labored under. Never did a
party go into a contest with such tremen-
dous burden of dead weight, as did the OPP
pouents of the Constitution.
It may be safely said also, that the prin-
ciples and opinions advocated by the men
calling themselves Conservatives, were as
various almost as the speeches and letters
in which they are enunciated. It did not
seem possible to find any dividing line. In
some places men were very good Conser-
vatiyes when the difference between them
and Radicals was the difference betwixt
tweedledum and tweedledee, and in other
places men who had possibly not gone as
far on the radical road, were denounced as
radicals, traitors, &c. If there was any test
it was not avowed. There may have been
testhowever. This was all before the calling
of the Convention. Such heterogene-
Gus and discordant elements were never
before attempted to be fused in one COM
mon mass. Defeat with such discipline
was inevitable.
[ am free to admit, that the name
of Conservative stinks in my nos
trils. I am q Democrat and I did not
tn1nk secession wrong either In policy OF
principle. The idea that I gained in the
field of a so-called Conservative during the
war was very much like the idea had of a
traitor. But however that may have been,
the men who controlled that party then,
now control the party bearing the same
name. Its nominees and leading men will,
I think, bear out the assertion that its old
party affiliations have not been forgotten
or abandoned. There was grand meet
ing in Raleigh-a general gathering of the
clans. 1t was proposed to adopt the name
and organization of the Democratic party,
as that was the only one in the county that
made any pretence of desiring to help us
in this hour of our extremity. This pro-
position was voted down. Why? Be-
cause it was feared there were men in North
Carolina whose prejudices were so strong
that they would not fight under Demo
cratic flag. Those fears were we'll found
ed. have heard that leading Conserva-
tive has said that if he was forced to fight
under the Republican OF the Democratic
flag it was doubtful where he would be
found. They ask the Democratic party