Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-11-13
THE WILMINGTON JOURNAL
Our DUTY,

trv. and adverse, we know, to the intere!
of the South. But we think that so far
this section is concerned, a truce to til
excitement and turmoil which will pas
away with the election, will be most bene
ficial-even in face of the unfortunate re
suit. What we desired above everything
else was the election Of the Democrafi
candidates, conveying. as 1t would re
turn of the kindly and fraternal feeling
between the sections, without which re
Cancellation can never go hand in han'
with reconstruction. But still we deslret
p cessation of the irritating sources
trouble in our midst, which to great de
gree destroyed the usefulness OF our Iaoof
ers and choked the channels OF commerce
And we trust, with the Civilizations OF tht
successful party, all evidences OF the pas
bitter contest will die cut Of the hearts 01C
actions of our people.
The result in many Of the Northern
States is SO significant that it cannot be
without its influence upon the thoughtful
Southern mind. Following close upon
the great reaction of 1867, which carried
two of the great States OF the Union for
the Democratic party, and almost the
third, and which gave 10 the same party
nearly all the others i'll which elections
were held, the decided majorities by which
all the Northern States, except New York
and New Jersey, and probably Oregon,
cast their electoral votes for GRANT and
CoLrAx, and by najorities far in excess Of
those given to local candidates, IS too
marked not to furnish lesson for serious
reflection for tho Southern people. Ger
tainly the great military reputation of
General GRANT, bis exploits yet fresh IN
the minds Of a grateful people, had some
influence upon the result. And so far as
the elections of 1867 made Radical
ism grow circumspect and forced the lead
ers of the party reluctantly to accept
General GRANT as their candidate, has the
country been benefited by the temp
conservatism-a momentary ''sober second
thought" OF the people-following the
earlier excuses of the Radical party-so
far as they were compelled, in order to
avert defeat, to seek the leadership of q
popular conservative soldier and ignore all
partisan politicians, have we cause for con-
graduation and the country hope for the
future.
But even with these favorable indica-
tions, and trusting that the President elect
will enter upon the discharge of his duties
with an eye single to the good Of the
whole country, the result throws upon us
responsibilities which we must not fail
10 meet We have endeaVored in vain by an
honorable observance of our national obi
cations, q faithful obedience to the laws Of
the county, and u quiet submission to
every change in our State government,
though repugnant alike TO our Judgments
and our feelings, to recommend our
selves to the good opinion OF our fellow
coUntrYmcn of the North. We believe
that the very interest we took in the cleo
ton has injured the cause we espoused.-
Northern prejudice has outweighed patriot
ism and the best interests of the country.
With these facts proved by the result of
much as possible from Federal politics.
Let us give to the administration OF Gen
eral GRANT that aid necessary to enable
his officials to discharge their duties in
accordance with the welfare of the country.
and let any opposition we may feel origi-
nate from principle and not from pref
dice. Let us continue to observe the laws
and respect the officers appointed for their
execution. Let those who have the power
and arc determined to exercise it, manage
the affairs Of the National Government as
they please, without opposition and with
out further unavailinG protest from us.
The sad condition in which we find the
affairs of North Carolina, without any re-
ference to the personal features of the stu
alton, is enough to engage our anxious at
tention, and furnishes an inviting field for
the labors Of every patriot in the State.
Our object should be to redeem North
Carolina from the condition in which party
incompetency and corruption have placed
her. Our laws should be altered, our
Courts restored to their former efficiency
and character, and the selection Of Judges
taken from the corrupting influences of
political caucusses and popular canvasses.
In every department are reforms needed,
and North Carolinas necessities demand
of her wise and patriotic sons all the atten~
ton which they can spare from the obliga-
lions Of their private affairs. Let us, then,
shun national politics, but, in the same
ratio with which we withdraw from Federal
matters, let us devote ourselves to the wei
fare of North Carolina. Let us restore her
former prestige, her honorable renown,
her prosperity, her wise laws, her envia-
bic judiciary system. Let US place good
and great men again in charge of her ad-
ministration. These are objects upon
which all can unite
"This above all To our own selves be true;
And it must follow, the night the day,
We cannot then be false to any man.
Chatham Railroad Bonds,
Some of our contemporaries, in stating
the substance Of our recent articles upon