Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-04-17
From the National Inteliigencer.
NORTH CAROLINA.

ia, to pass upon the Constitution which
has recently been framed by the Radical
Convention in that State This Constitu-
ton, which We shall endeavor Hereafter to
discuss in detail, is based upon the infa-
nous doctrine of an equality between the
races, both social and political; and we do
not wonder at the statement of the New
York World correspondent, that the Con-
vention which framed this instrument end
ded their performances by singing p4ans
to John Brown-a midnight murderer, as
sassln aud insurrectionist-and indnlged
IN orgies of dancing, shouting and tumult
exceeding all description.
This constitution, with which it is pro-
posed to shackle the State, is being stout
ly resisted by the white population, and
we are glad to hear that they are making q
canvass worthy of their race and
blood, to prevent its ratification
They deserve to succeed, and, de-
spite the treachery of such ignoble
recreants as Holden, we believe they will
triumph, unless the returns shall be mani
pulated and the result changed by the Off
GERS of the election. Letters from promi-
nent North Carolinians now before. us ex-
press great confidence in the result, unless
defeated by such frauds. We share their
uneasiness on this last point !; but we en-
treat them, nevertheless, to spare no effort
and relax no energy to prevent the adop-
tion of this African constitution. They
may fairly count in their struggle upon the
sympathies of a large maj ority of the North,
and especially in the West and great Cen
trail States of the Union.
In order to give our readers some idea
Of the principles upon which this contest
is being conducted by the white popula-
tion of North Carolina, we subjoin the fol-
lowing extracts from the admirable address
of Hon. VIM. A. Graham, at the recent
Conservative Convention held in that State.
Mr.. Graham is we'll known as one of the
most distinguished statesmen of North Car
ollna he was an associate with Webster
CorWin, and Crittenden in the Cabinet of
Mr. Fillmore and both there and in his
previous service in the United States SEN
ate was noted for his moderate and con-
seryative views. His utterances deserve
especial attention as. rejecting the senti-
ments of the most moderate and peace-lo
ing men in the Southern States.
s. trust need not say here that have
no anlmosltles or unjust prejudices against
the black people. I regard it as better for
them, as well as for us, that there should
be regular and stable government. by which
all shall be protected in the pursuit of
acquisition of comforts and of wealth and
that each race, in the sphere of its own
complexion, shall have all the pleasures and
enjoyments of society and social inter
course. Those of them who shall be con-
tent to act on this principle, and to rely
upon honesty, industry, and good beha
vior, will, in the end, find themselves far
better off than viii be such as, intoxicated
with the new enjoyment of freedom, aspire
to become politicians, and rely upon dis
pensatlons of Government or party chari
ties, or the distribution of confscated
estates in expectancy, or other good for
tune in the whirlpool of revolution. Party
spirit has been described by q great man
as " the madness of many for the gain of
a few" To them the gain of honest labor
will be far greater than will ever accrue
from attendance on leagues, harangues,
and the agitations OF these disjoined times.
'It may be asked where are these things
to end, and what hope is there OF
deliverence It requires wisdom to look
into the seeds of time and tell which grains
will grow and which will not, to which |
do not lay claim, but to such an inquiry I
reply, we are not without grounds of hope,
if we but exhibit, modestly, and without
arrogance or defiance, the manliness OF
freemen, and refuse to sign the death-war
rant Of our institutions. The Executive
Department of the Government of the
United States, weakened in power, it is
true, but with force of argument in his
public utterances which commands the ad
miration Of the world, and which cannot
be without its effect on the sentiments of
our fellow citizens, who now alone monop-
olize the representation in Congress. With
cause so just, SO sanetifed by the Consti-
tuition, as it is now our lot to present, am
not without great hope that the judiciary,
the Supreme Court of the United State~,
in cases which are in progress or may yet
occur, will declare the policy of Congress
to be at variance with the Constitution.
The successors and disciples of Marshall
now upon that bench will in future history
rival his fame, if they but maintain the
dignity Of the court and the supremacy OF
the Constitution against the nets and
snares, the annoyances and threatenings
with which they are encompassed about.
Gentlemen, the passion of revenge is
not an enduring motive of human action.
The eclipse of the understanding which
it occasions will pass away. The minds
and hearts of the white people of this
country cannot long be kept III state OF
alienation. The Northern people cannot
forget that it was Washington and his Vir
ginians that drove the British to raise the
siege of Boston that it was men of Vir
ginia and North Carolina-in conjunction,
it is true, with those of Northern ano
Middle States-under the same august and
immortal chief who fought the battles OF
american independence from New York
along up the shores of the Hudson and the
hills of Jersey. and across into Pennsyl /
vania and Delaware, over and above what
they achieved in the bloody fields of the
Carolinas and Georgia, and at the fna
triu mph in Virginia and though they ha' {
had recently dreadful intestine conflict
deeply to be deplored, yet it developed the
soldierly qualities and heroic virtues of oul
generation on either side as not unworthy
of the renown of glorious ancestry. Anc
with all its lamentable results, it has giveI
to the American name and character al
ec5at throughout the world which future
ages will admire. In the valley of tht
Upper Mississippi, in Missouri, and Ohio
are thousands upon thousands of inhabi
tants who trace with pride their descen
from these o6ici,a9 gentiuna, the old State
of the Southern Atlantic frontier, who art
satisfied with the triumph of their arms
who cherish no O6iM7n i1ceTs in LOn0tty11: VIII,