Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-10-09

cry, "we have slnned;" and though we
shall prepare for them no fatted calf, we
will at least admit them among the hired
servants.
North Carolina
From letter to the New York Herald
dated Raleigh, September 25th, we make
the following extracts regarding the politi-
cal situation and condition of affairs in the
Old North State
x X X X
One race precipitates the issue involved,
the other does not; but, led on by unprin
cipled adventures, the blacks are intoler-
ant, hostile and vindictive. They but do
the bidding Of their new masters more
faithfully than when slaves, when they pro-
woke riots, attack white men, break up po-
litical meetings and apply the torch at mid
night to dwellings where peaceable people
are quietly slumbering. They have but to
be schooled and taught, and they are ready
instruments of peace or quiet, of war or
bloodshed. The latter is now to all intents
and purposes their avocation. But let the
opponents once promise them the same
privileges and immunities that their pres
ent masters guarantee them and they will at
once become the most inveterate enemies
Of Radicalism, landmark a prophecy-in
five years there will not be LETT the vestige
of such political organization in the
South. To-day, however, it seems to ex-
ist, though evidently on the wane, and in
the excitement of a hot contest the most
fearful excuses are anticipated.
The whole tone and spirit Of the last
Legislature, leaving financial, railroad and
other matters out of the question, has been
that the spirit of rebellion was still nurtur-
ed and cherished in North Carolina that
hostility towards the ''loyal State gov
eminent was threatened that ''loyal %
voters were intimidated and overawed
that there was q icentious freedom of the
press in exciting a spirit of dissatisfaction,
sedition and instruction against the gov
eminent of North Carolina, as was done in
the year 1861 and previous years. Now,
honestly speaking from my frequent inter-
course with the people of the North State,
at various times since the close of the war,
and i'll all sections, from the Blue Ridge
to Cape Hatteras, from the lines that di-
vide chivalric Virginia on the north and
South Carolina on the south, have never
met people, in the language of the re-
constructed more truly loyal" than are
the honest tar heels and though they are
out and out in favor of the election of Sey-
mour and Blair have heard none speak
even disrespectfnlly of General Grant,
while General Sherman is particular IA
vorite of theirs But, as if to crush out al
feeling of Un1onism that exists among the
people, such acts as the following have
been passed by the Legislature recently in
session:
AN ACT To PUNISH CONSPIRACY, sEDITIoN AND
REBELLION.
The General Assembly of North Carolina do en-
SECTION /. That if two or more persons shall
conspire together to overturn On put down, or de-
stroy by force the government of North Carolina,
or to levy war against the Government this State
Or to oppose by force the authority of said gov
ernment Or by force, or by threats to intimidate,
or to prevent, hinder delay the execution of
any law of the State of North Carolina or by force
or fraud to seize or take possession of any fire.
arms or property Of the State aforesaid, against
the will or contrary to the authority of the said
State, every person so offending in any Of the
ways aforesaid shall be deemed guilty of a high
crime, and upon conviction thereof in any court
having Jurisdiction shall be imprisoned for lot
more than ten years, and be fined not exceeding
IS 900.
SEC. 2. That if any person incte set on foot. as
sist or engage in any rebellion or instruction
against the authority of the State of North Caro-
lima or the laws thereof, or shall give aid COM
fort thereto, each and every person 80 offending
in any of the ways aforesaid shall be deemed
CT in any court having jurisdiction shall be pun
ished by Imprisonment at hard labor for not more
than fifteen years, and be fined not more than
100000
SEC. s. That this act shall be in force from and
after its ratification.
Ratified the Oath day of August, A. D.. 1868.
Here is something for freemen to read,
but something worse to be applied with
the strong arm of power to people who
have been born, nurtured and educated
as freemen. Such acts as these are only
incentives to inaugurate the very state of
affairs that they pretend to prevent. How
do the "loyal' North regard such legisla-
ton, and how would they feel if it were
applied to themselves
It is gratifying, however. notwithstand
ing such one-sided and high-handed legis
lation, to find among the white people
healthy and wholesome regard for law and
good order. They look at all this as but
the fruits of revolution that will in due time
be adjusted, and patiently waiting for that
era of peace SO long promised and so long
expected, they "bide their time" assured
that it is coming.
Generally speaking, the negroes, where
free from the baneful influence of scar
pet-baggers," talk reasonably and seem
disposed to further the efforts of their old
masters in restoring good feeling and that
relative position Of the two races so essen
tial to the prosperity of both. They have
been somewhat disappointed in the results
of their emancipation, and do not as
general thing find freedom and glorious
liberty to be exactly the paradise they an
ticipated. still they all vastly prefer it to
slavery, and are, perhaps, as unwilling to
return to bondage as their former owners
are averse to having them in that condi-
ton again. Conversation with the intel
ligent of the newly enfranchised race goes
to show that they have no hostile feelings
towards the whites and though most of
them express the desire to be allowed to
vote, because they think it will make the
white people respect them more and make
their Importance as voters felt in the body
polite, yet there are few who aspire to Off
cial positions or who think themselves Ca
pable of filing them. Numbers who have
been appointed by his Excellency Governor
Holden as magistrates and to other civil
positions have in the most respectful but
decided terms declined the honors thus
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