Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-01-31
The Convention

titan, with no redeeming or fitting quality
to recommend him to the Presidency and
the attack upon the liberty of the press,
the Military Convention in session at Raj
eigh has displayed but little of the ani"a"s
which will direct it's councils. But when
we see such men as Colonel RoDMAN assist
ing to create new Office for the apparent
purpose of comforting it uopn such doubt
full characters as the fellow Peck who has
been selected as Sergeant-at-Arms, we have
but little hope of anything good coming
from it.
The Standard is evidently in sympathy
with the controlling members of the body,
and we must look to the spirit which marks
its editorials to guess at that which will in
all probability govern the Convention. A
new office is to be created for young Hol-
den, chip of the old block, wanting the
ability but not the degenerateness of his
father, and members, who seem to lead,
proudly proclaim themselves Holden
men" in the debates, if the middle and
confusion which characterizes the proceed
ings of that body can be called So
The manner in which that paper uses such
words as traitors" "rebels, cooper
heads" &c., tells very plainly what feelings
animate the men who sustain and applaud
it, and we are prepared to see the venom
which rankles in the breast of the disap-
pointed and dishonored politician who pre-
sides over the columns of the Standard
show itself in the labors of the Conven-
ton.
There has, as yet, but one Convention
called by Congress to frame Constitution
for the States, finished its work. The peo-
pie of Alabama will vote on the 4th and
9th of February upon the ratification Of
the Constitution prepared for their accept
ance by the Convention recently in ses
sion in that State. It is so bitter
and partizan in its character that
every good man, without regard to former
politics, and independent of all minor
considerations, are united to reject it if
possible. So adverse is it TO every inter
est and the best welfare of the State, that
we see that body of pious Christians and
intelligent gentlemen composing the Con-
ference of the Methodist Church of that
State, has appointed a day of fasting,
humiliation and prayer to Almighty God
to avert the evils impending over them-a
proceeding as solemn as it is unusual. This
conduct on their part furnishes the Editor
of the Standard the chance to assail this
body of Christians in his usual vindictive
style, and to defend the proposed Consti-
tuition. In the last number of his paper
he publishes it in full, filing many col
umns. This fact, with his hearty endorse
ment, is significant of the influence he will
exert upon the North Carolina Convention,
and we are prepared to see every objection
able feature of the Alabama Constitution
incorporated in the one to be submitted to
the people of this State.
We are not disposed to PREJUDICE the
Convention, however, but only express
we'll grounded fears Whatever of good it
may bring forth, we will readily place it to
their credit; and while we cannot admit the
legality of any action of the body, we are
prepared to submit with the best grace
possible to its enactments which find en-
dorsement at the ballot-box, until their
illegality is pronounced by the Courts, or
they are made void by the voice of the
people speaking through Congress repre-
senting their sober second thought. This
will come as sure as the night follows the
day, however safe the Radicals may now
feel in the preparation of their iniquities,
or however we'll secured they may deem
their present strength.