Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-06-12
The Presidency.

It is hardly possible for any intelligent
man to be callous in regard to the Presi-
Dental election its importance to the
South can hardly be over estimated. If the
country is to remain for four years longer
under Radical rule; if the Executive, Legis-
lative, and practically, the Judicial Depart
ments of the government are to be con-
trolled by the bitter and yindictive spirit
which now animates the breasts of the
leaders of the dominant party, there is, in
deed, dark future for the South. AS I'M
portant rs have been many elections dur
ing the past few years, they were only the
preliminary engagements to the great and
decisive contest to be decided this Fall.
So important to us is the result, it could
hardly be expected for US not to regard.
with the most intense interest, every move
ment looking to the action of the National
Democratic Convention, upon which the
attention of all parties is now directed.
We have been an attentive observer,
through the press of the North, for several
months, of the argument and plans, the
hopes and fears of the friends and advo-
Gates of the different gentlemen who are
prominent for the nomination, and we
must confess that our opinion has under
gone frequent change. That the chances
of Democratic success are good, we have
never doubted. Recent elections have re-
suited moro hopefully than we had any
right to expect, and now Oregon, the first
election held since the nomination of GRANT
and CoLFAX, repudiates them, and takes
position with California, in thcDemocratic
column, keeping pace with the great reac-
ton against Radicaism.
The great question, sc Who is the most
available candidate % is one requiring the
gravest consideration. We have sometimes
thought that General HANCOCK, with his
brilliant record rs a soldier, and grander
record as wise and prudent statesman,
was the strongest name. Yet, as q soldier,
he was but the Lieutenant of GRANT, and
but little experiencedin civil affairs. Again
we have thought PENDLEToN, with his great
personal popularity and bis green
back payment Of the government
debt, pointed him out as the proper candi-
date. The West. too, which beyond doubt
is to be the battle ground, urges his nomi-
nation almost unanimously, with an earnest
ness amounting to enthusiasm. 1t is urged,
however, that he is not acceptable in the
E astern and Middle States; with what force
we cannot tell.
Lately there seems to be q vigorous
effort being made for Judge CHASE, with
some prospect of success. II his position
is as telegraphed, he would not be unpop-
ular at the South, yet we cannot reconcile
it to ourselves that his nomination by the
Democratic Convention is possible
Stranger things have happened, and we
have supported candidates with whose
political opinions we have differed as much
as we have from those of Judge CHASE.
The Congressional elections, which will
be governed more or less by the popularity
of the platform and candidates of the Ma.
tionai Convention, are, if possible, of more
Importance than that for President, for we
have seen how powerless is the Executive,
with both Houses of Congress opposed tc
ILL., 1uc1o 10 noIS " w oCSuACu AOA
just and honorable reconciliation, of present
troubles by a majority in the House Of
Representatives, than by Democratic
President, without support in Congress
We hope, however, that both will be
secured, and they can be if the Democrats
and Conservatives of the North act with
that Judgment the Importance of their sue
cess demands.