Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-05-01
The Election.

When these lines shall be read the cleo
ton for the ratification or rejection OF the
infamous Constitution will be over. The
result is unknown, but we have an abiding
faith in the integrity, manliness, virtue and
pride of the white people of the State, and
feel confident that this internal amalgama'
ton of Yankee malice and impudence, and
negro ignorance and prejudice, has met
the unoualified condemnation of the patrl-
otto neopIe of North Carolina. We cannot
and will not believe, until convinced by
actual figures to the contrary, that the white
majority has been overcome, and that the
old State has been Frustrated under the
feet of negroes and Yankee adVenturerS'
by the base apostacy of her own sons.
North Carolinians have always been a law
loving and law-abiding people, and to-day
desire, as only men who are tired OF strife
and contention and devoted to a stable
and free government, a reconstruction OF
the Union and a reconciliation between the
sections. They have used every honorable
means to fill up the yawning gulf OF prelu-
dice and hate, which divides the North
from the South-to heal the bleeding
wounds of the war-to mingle their sorrows
with those of the Northern people over the
aurel-crowned graves of "the Blue and
the Gray"
Every demand, just and unjust, has been
readily granted every obligation, neces-
sary and unnecessary, has been entered
into and faithfully kept every order, legal
and Illegal has been obeyed. Oppression
and tyranny have been quietly and pa
tiently submitted to. Opposition, dis
content, disobedience to harsh acts of Con-
gress and petty malice of brainless and
vicious officials, have no where prevented
or disturbed the uninterrupted authority
of the officers of the United States in North
Carolina. Pleading for just and honorable
terms of construction cornfully refusing
all propositions of dishonor when submit
ted to the proud and noble-hearted white
citizens of the State, our people have as
yet nothing to be ashamed of IN the dis
graceful record of reconstruction, which
faithful history will hand down to posterity.
We cannot believe that a people so brave,
so generous, so high-minded, with such
lineage and history, can have belied their
whole lives and been false to their State,to
the memory Of the past, and to the hopes
of the future, as to have voluntarily sur
rendered all in the election which ended
Yesterday We can appreciate the inhu-
ence which such apostate sons of North
Carolina as Rodman, and Dick, and Settle,
and Caldwell, will have in their immediate
localities, but the great heart OF the people
beats in unison with the true interests and
welfare of the State, and is too brave and
noble to be won by the Establishments OF
power or purchased by the hopes of re-
ward Honest, industrious and contented
colored men will teach these men a lesson
offilial duty and will prevent, by their faith
fulness and integrity, the disgrace and ruin
of the grand old mother, plotted by these
degenerate sons.
Yes, we believe that the infamous Con-
stitution has been voted down, and North
Carolina saved from the disgrace intended
for her. May our hopes be fully realized,
and North Carolina yet take its true posi-
ton in the galaxy of States upon terms of
honorable equality .--Daily Journal 24h.