Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-09-04

/ very Constitution under which we live
most fiagrantly outrages the hottest feel
ings of our hearts, a
| This great change metamorphosis, In
lrapidity, in violence, in wicked consumma-
ton, without a parallel in the history of
the world-has been effected SO far as the
dispossessed party is concerned, without
opposition and almost without protest.
Every right. civil and political. which has
been claimed for the negro, has been freely
and fully exercised without let or him
drance. Their meetings have been with
out interference, their voting without dis
turbance, the officers of their selection
have been respected, and the laws and
[ Constitution of their adoption. have been
obeyed. The love of order and the ODE
dience to law, which has always distin-
gushed our people, have prevented resist
ance and warded off violence, even while
these very characteristics were disregarded
and ruthlessly outraged.
Not content with this quiet submission
to law, and fearing as much from the
wickedness by which this condition of
things was accomplished, as the determi-
nation of an honorable people to undo it,
a resort to other measures yet more vio-
lent and criminal is intimated, yea, advised,
! by the public press and ordered by the
chief executive officer. A Radical Legis-
lature has passed military bill, and q
Radical Governor, in defiance of an order
from the Secretary OF War, is organizing
standing army. His organ advises the
confiscation of the lands of the State, and
justifes robberies committed by laborers
upon the property of their employers
There is no inducement to riot aud open
war which they have neglected to offer,
and no aid they do not propose to furnish.
IF ignorant negroes can be urged to deeds
of violence and crime it will be accom-
plished If insult, humiliation and effron-
terry can be offered beyond reasonable for
bearance, they will not be spared. In a
word, nothing will be left undone to secure
such conduct on the part of both races
as may be tortured into evidence of South
ern hostility to the negroes, and disloyalty
to the Government. That such are the
aims of Radicalism in this State, we have
only to appeal to the legislation of our
General Assembly, the conduct of our So
called Governor, the articles of his news
paper, and the results to which such
acts and such advice lead the negroes in
certain portions of the State.
On the other hand, the Democrats and
Conservatives desire and ask for nothing
but the return of the era of good feeling
and prosperity. They propose to over
turn the hideous mockery of government
which these people have set up in North
Carolina-they intend to undo the mischief
which has been done-to repeal their in
famous laws-to repudiate their corruption
| funds-to wipe out tho disgrace which they
have heaped upon our people. But they
will do this legitimately and peacefully.
Their platform adopted at the recent State
Convention, is significant of the aim of
the party. We quote three of the resou-
tions
Piles adopted by the said Convention. 1t palters
III no double sense-its language is explicit and
its meaning clear--the Issues presented to the
country are plainly and uumistakably defined,
and, with free and fair election we confidently
believe they will be endorsed by large majority
| of the peOple-and with that endorsement must
come such change IN the administration of the
National Government will restore the Consti-
tuition and give peace, harmony and prosperity
to the country and especially TO the downtrodden
! States of the South.
3. That it is earnest desire and intention
| to bring about these wholesome and necessary
changes by The peaceful means of the balot-box-
oAH cit ia FT6n mi hnI 0ro-
ing from what quarter they may, but the
tricks Of interested psrtizans Of a desperate po
iitlcal faction. bent upon perpetuating its power
tempting to alarm the people of this State by the
false Cry of revolution and war, threatening them
at the same time with military force; while, in
other States OF the South, they have not hesita-
ted to take from the people the election of cleo
tors of President and Vice president, and to con-
fer it upon Legislatures, the members of which
were elected under military rule, without freedom
of choice and with no regard to the question of
the Presidency, in order to secure the electoral
votes of such States for tho Radical candidates.
in disregard and defiance of the just rights of
the people of such States, and of the whole
country.
That it is our frank purpose now, and has
been since the close Of our late civil war, to &C
cept and abide by, in good faith and without dis
turbance, the legitimate fruits and consequences
of that war to yield to the government of the
United States p cheerful submission and allegi-
ance, and to perform all the obligations Of good
citizens to their rightful government And we
| do proclaim that, IN asking recognition on terms
of equality in that grand cOpartnershp of States
which constitutes our Federal Union. do so
with no hostile intent on the contrary, we wish
to share it's benefits and its duties to rehuild our
waste places under the protection Of its flag to
re-establish the old of good feeling in our
common country; TO thwart the designs of un-
patriotic men everywhere, who seek to perpetu-
ate discord and division and to participate in the
blessings, as we'll the burdens, of the govern
ment
To OUR FRIENDS:
Rooms OF CENTRAL EXECUTIVE