Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-07-03
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The election news from Mississippi is
most cheerful, especially when we consider
that the registered negro majority IN the
State is fifteen thousand. Much sooner
than was expected, the colored people OF
the South are found voting with their Ola
friends, the virtuous and intelligent cltl-
zens of the State, and refusing to follow
the lead of the trifing adventures who
have left their homes in the North IN order
to impose upon the ignorance and credullty
of the Southern blacks. In the first cleo
tions held under the Reconstruction Acts,
few OF no negro voters were with the old
citizens, but in every subsequent election
they have more and more torn themselves
away from their disreputable leaders and
oath bound leagues. The marked mani
festation of O growing sympathy Wltn the
Southern whites which was seen IN the last
e!ectionsin Georgia and South Carolina, has
eliminated in Mississippi to an open and
thorough coalition. The negroes Of that
State have spit upon the miserable crea-
lures who have calculated to crawl into
places of honor and profit through their
aid
This election, if the Democrats are not
cheated of out their victory by false re
turns, will be of great significance IN the
pending conflict, and demonstrates that
Radicalism can be destroyed with the very
weapons which it has fashioned for the po
litical murder of its opponents. Speaking
of this subject, the Richmond Dispatch
saws tShould this State really have voted
against Radicalism-rejectin the fraudu-
lent Constitution and electinga Democratic
Legislature-it will be a matter of rejoicing
for the Democrats and the South. Moth
ing could at this juncture more depress the
spirits of the Radicals or more perplex
their fraudulent and destable reconstruct
ton. The Democratic triumph in the
Legislature will be o matter of especial adj
vantage. Were the Constitution rejec-
ted, and Radical Legislature elected,
Congress would repeat it's action on the
question of bringing in Alabama, and force
Mississippi to take the Constitution. But
Democratic Legislature will be horse of
different color. Congress will by no
means desire it to assemble. The question
will be What shall be done ? Shall Mis-
sissippi be left where she is, to become a
wedge to split reconstruction and facilitate
the remission of all the States back to their
original position after the war
"But the worst blow to Radicalism is what
Radicals will call the 'treacherY of the
negro. Reliance in him Will be shaken
fatally shaken. There will be no excuse |
for him in the Radical heart, such rs his |
exhausted patience-worn out with the |
ever frightening line Of reconstruction,
which has destroyed the energy, enter
prise and prosperity of the South, and left |
the negro the suffering representative OF
the restitution that has ensued. He is not |
remarkable for patience. and soon breaks |
down under the encouragement of hope
deferred
"The Democrats will be greatly cheered |
by the Mississippi tornado. It viii give
confidence and boldness to the platform to |
be adopted at New York, and kill off the |
advocates of the smother-up-everythin !
and the redress-nothing-t hat's-done- how |
ever-it-may-be policy.
"Let usnot be positive about Mississippi, |
however. We should remember who holds |
the ballot-boxes and who counts the votes. |
There is no certainty until the result is
officially stated"