Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-10-23
Orr CoIored Population.

The marked contrast of the conduct OF
our colored population during the recent
discussions between the parties. with that
which characterized their turbulent dispo-
sition and riotous efforts q few weeks
since, portends much good, and is happy
augury of future quiet, and probably of the
return of good feeling. A month since
their actions were such as very justly made
our thoughtful citizens anxious in regard
to the peace of the city, but now we hope
and believe that there is no longer cause of
anxiety in this respect.
Whether this change is in consequence
of their own convictions of their error, or
that their white leaders and teachers have
become circumspect and considerate, or
whether there are other causes which have
produced it, we are too we'll satisfied of
the fact to discuss the means. We sincerely
trust that with the excitement and passion
of the present canvass will pass away much
of the wicked prejudices which bad men
have filed the minds of the colored people
for selfish purposes. If this class would
refuse to receive their political instruction
in secret leagues, and spurn associations
and oaths that bind them to support men
regardless of their merits and characters,
while they may be as devoted to their
principles, they would find that not only
would all their unnatural prejudices against
their white friends pass away, but they
would break up fellowship with those
graceless white scanps whose companion
ship has injured the colored man more
than any other Generalization which is fol
lowing in the wake of the terrible civil
commotion through which we are passing.
While we are glad to commend the gen.
eral scope and language of Col. DoCKERY S
address to the colored people on Saturday
night. of course, placing the demagogism
of his appeals to them to his too great
anxiety to secure his election, we depre-
cate his threat that universal negro suffrage
can only be repealed by force, which at
once excited the boisterous luminosity of the
more ignorant and turbulent portion of his
partisans. Negro suffrage has resulted
from peaceful, though revolutionary, legis-
idLlOu, au0 Will IL CdI1S Wu1bO
Acknowledgement and constitutional white
inehgibility These have been submitted
to quietly and in good faith. While they
are IN force, under the forms of law, none
will be more disposed to submit to them
than the victims OF these outrages. If the
people of the United States should reverse
their decision, and the law-making power
of the Government should repeal this legis-
lation, or the demonstrating power declare
it unconstitutional, Col. DoCKERY knows.
as do the moro intelligent colored people,
that they would submit to the decision as
quietly as have our citizens obeyed the
acts which have conferred the privilege of
voting upon them, or if they were led into
resistance to the Government by wicked
men the disastrous consequences would be
upon their own heads. Such ridiculous
bra7ado ill-becomes so sensible person as
Colonel DocKERY, and he knows the negro
character too well to indulge in it, and
II he did not, the effect of his remark,
on the occasion referred to, was sufficient
evidence of the harm it NAV do. We
trust he may omit, in the future, such useless
and hurtful nonsense
IF four colored people continue, then nm.
der the wholesome influences which now