Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-08-07
and others from pecuniary embarrassments,

can lily afford to be without employment. I,
Many of these men could have retained
their positions by apostatizing their polit-
ical faith and subscribing to that of the
Radicals. While these gentlemen are too
poor to be without employment, they are,
thank Heaven, too rich to be purchased by
the Establishments or frightened by the
threats of power. Depending upon their
labors for their daily bread. they cannot
afford to eat it by their own disgrace.
This condition of affairs presents an i'm
perative duty to their fellow citizens. The
very fact that business is dull and times
are hard, makes il the more incumbent up
on our people to interest themselves that
these prescribed officers shall not suffer.
The property and business of this city
give constant and lucrative employment
to large number of persons. Il Gerry large
majority of these employees are violent and
unreasonable Radicals. By their votes we
have forced upon us irresponsible strangers,
who have all the power over our affairs,
without interest and without sympathy in
our welfare. By their consent and aid,
worthy citizens have been prescribed and
turned out Of employment, and men of I'M
known or bad character placed in their
stead. We now demand IL as high and
sacred duty, prompted by the dictates Of jus
tice and humanity, and required by the plain
est instincts Of self protection, that these Rad
icals, white and black, shall be discharged
to give place to men who have been cast
aside for no other fault than an honest de-
votion to principle.
Without the overthrow of Radicalism in
the United States there can be no thought
full man hopeful of prosperous future for
the South. If property and labor are to
be taxed by the INDECENT and idle, and the
aw-abiding to be ruled by the vicious and
vindictiye, with arms in their hands, not
only property will be rendered valueless,
iation will follow retaliation, and violence
will be met with violence, and bloodshed
and anarchy, and anarchy and bloodshed
will destroy the last vestige of peaceful gov
eminent in this section. Property will first
feel the evil effects of a continuation of the
misrule and disorganization under which
we are now suffering, and it is at the same
time the most powerful weapon to pro tect
ITSELF But if it continues to foster enc
mics and abandon friends, it will deserve,
as it will invite. its own destruction.
Entertaining these views, which we have
more than once promulgated through these
columns, we are glad to know that they
found unanimous endorsement at the meet
ing of the Democratic Club on Friday
evening. Two series of resolutions, which
we publish below, (the first introduced by
Mr.. J. @. James, and the second by Col.
B. r. Moore,) look to the practical solu-
ton of this question. They have our
hearty approval, and if both are carried
out in spirit and form, it will do more for
| the cause of good government than all the
political tracts and speeches which will be
issued and delivered between this and the
ides of November From the energy and
determination of the gentlemen who have
the subject matter of tlese resolutions in
charge, we know that it will not fail from
any dereliction of duty on their part, but
the blame will be with the citizens them.
selves.
The following are the resolutions:
| WHEREAS, BY means of power illegally con-
| ferred, a change has recently been made by W
| W. Holden, "whO writes himself Governor of
| North Carolina" in the government of this city
hrvxx Job SIfI tJn1 of
Gratis, who have served the city with faithfulness
| and zeal as policemen, are placed in jeopardy
and whereas it is generally believed that they
might retain Office by enlisting in the ranks OF
/ the Radical party therefore, be it
ReSOlUed, That in the firm adherents to prin-
ciple and the living truths of the Democla attic
party, this Club recognizes those who have q
claim upon our highest respect and to our united
assistance when required to maintain the right.
ResolUed, That this Club interest itself to secure
/ employment for such members of the present
police force who have resigned, or may hereafter
resign, or who may be discharged from their posi-
tions ON account of political principles.
| Resotoed, That Committee of three be ap
pointed to carry into effect the foregoing resou
ton. and to wait upon the merchants OF the city
| in behalf Of this cause.
It was further resolved, by COL Moore
as follows:
| WHEREAS. The Elective Franchise is now exer
| cised in North Carolina by all classos, withou
distinction of race color; and whereas, it il
manifestly expedient and conducive to the sue
cess of the Democratic party in said State, to in
crease its numbers by accessions from all classes
Of electors therefore
| Be Il resolUed, LIST, That this Club will use every
honorable means to influence the coored electors
| of New Hanover county to become members oil
| the Great National Democratic Party, and will
| by facts and arguments. show them that it is to
their interest to vote with the party that will
| tain constitutional government.
| I'd. That, to aid in accomplishing this object a
Committee OF three, to be appointed by the Presi-
| dent of this Club, shall solicit all employers OF
| laborers or mechanics, to enter Tito and sign an
| agreement in the following words, to-wit:
eve the undersigned do mutually agree that,
| in the employment of mechanics and labo1ers, we
will, in all cases, give preference to members OF
| the Democratic or Conservative Party, who have
in their possession, and present to US, evidence
of such membership; and that, when we have
once employed them under the assurance that
| they are members of Democratic OR Conserva.
| tive Association, if, afterwards they should de-
sert their party and vote with the Radical party,
then, in that event, we pledge ourselves that we
will give such so desert and prove f>se to their
| assurances no employment whatever. under any
| circumstances, except in cases of most urgent
| necessity.
| We further agree that this shall be binding from
and after the expiration of the several terms of
employment Of mechanics and laborers now en-.