Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-02-28

and privileges, to the degradation of a por-
ton of his own color and fellow-citizens.
In regard to the foul aspersions cast upon
the people of this State, who had done their
duty TO their country in defending its sa-
cred rights, he would defend them, or, at
least, that portion of them who were his
constituents AS to the outrages and
wrongs perpetrated upon humanity, be
could charge ten cases upon Northern
troops to where one was committed by the
Southern soldiers in the late war; North
ern men charged upon us the commission
of great wrong in attempting separation
from the Union. That was their version of
it, but he honestly believed that wrongs
had been inflicted; that our rights had
been outraged, and we acted as men should
act-toOk up arms to resist entertainments;
and those who assailed their honesty in so
acting, and their belief in the business of
their canse, spoke most falsely.
We believe saOaC in the principles upon
which the war was fought, but we accept
the issue Of that war as settling forever
! that for which we contended. We have
accepted that as legitimate result of the
war; and now, is it the part of magpani-
nous conqueror to say that a large class of
our Intelligent fellow citizens shall go down
/
! citizens
! The real intention of the Radicals in this
matter was 20 pcrsocute all men who will
not swear to support the Republican party.
! Some Of you DO not say 1t directly, but
you do indirectly, while Messrs. Gambler
/ and CongletOn have, with more boldness,
come out and said so openly. AL of you,
! in truth and fact icgisIate for the same
end. This is q pretty Constitution to Of
! fer the should-he free and intelligent citi-
zens Of this State You come out and say
plainly, that failing to make them come
into your measures by honorable argument,
you intend, by Infamous test oaths, to keep
! them FROM opposing yon at The ballot
! box.
/ MI Gambler wished to refer him to the
! Constitution adopted by Alabama.
| Mr.. Durham replied that it was as infa,
nous and Ubiquitous as the measure with
which this Convention would outrage the
people of this State. The people OF Ala
bama had hurled it back i'll their teeth,
though the negroes had a large majority in
the State 1t was too monstrOus and he'll
lish for even them to swallow
Mr. Gambler replied that loyal mon had
! framed it.
MI Durham s. Loy,d! LouH :" There
goes that perverted word again 1t did
not como well from It man trh0 Hr{ deserted
from tie COh|cdrdc cntSe, after he had OF
his own free will and accord. volunteered
in its service.
bLr. Gambler replied that lie tr,tS Il voun5
man, not Of age, when lie did it, and liz
! soon found that he was in the wrong pew
| Mr.. Durham Yes, [ have seen men uu.
der fire, whose not very pJaiseoCO2fhy cO1t
| dttct seemed to indicate that they had come
! 70 i,o Il 10
! the rrOug per ," I was not Of age when
| the war commenced. l had no vote, but
/ if | had, 1 should have voted for Secession
believing it to be a right and a sacred one.
[ fought the war through, and to day an
| proud Of n2y record, believing now, as did
then, that our cause was right and just
But at the surrender, I accepted the result
| III good faith, as did tie whole people Of
! this State.
Mr.. Durham ably argued, for some time
the various propositions contained in the
reports, and the various amendments and
substitutes proposed, and concluded by
! branding the whole thing as a vile and in
| iquitOus measure, gotten up to choke off al
opposition to the Radical party.
! MI. Heaton replied IN quite a lengthy
argument.
Mr.. Ashley was next rampant upon Mr.
! - uIiIaLu ; dlluSLOn " luG causes IIlaL 1eu u
! the rebellion, &c.
Mr.. Gambler, one of the signers of "a
minority report, said he had not changed
his opinion il regard to it one iota. He
was in favor Of DISTINGUISHING all g trai
tors" especially Cows. Graham and Vance
whose influence and ability were worth
| thousands Of votes.
Ecery50dy that had participated III the
rebellion should be grateful for escaping
with their necks. The blood of thousands
of loyal men cries to this Convention fol
vengeance. He would 60 for disfranchis
ing more, if he could get his hands on
them, and remove the disabilities now rest
ing on such good and true men as W. w
Holden, and some other Radicals. He con
Guided by offering a substitute for the
whole subject matter
The Chair ruled it out of order, saying
that there were already two substitutes be-
fore the house.
Mr.. Tourgee said that he wished to know
what the effect of the previous question
would be. Would it cut off amendments
The Chair decided not.
Mr.. Pool said that the attendance wa
SO slim, that q fair vote could not be oh
tanned. He, therefore, moved to adjourn
until Monday next, 10 o'clock.
After various objections and good dea
of wrangling, 1t was carried.