Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-12-24
Hernoval of Disabilities.

Removal of Disabilities.
In order that we may not be misunder-
stood in implying that all Southern men
whose disabilities have been removed by
Congress have obtained relief by dishon-
orable means, We desire to qualify our OBJ
servatlons upon this subject, although we
hardly deem it necessary. In stating gen
eral facts we do not think it absolutely in
cumbent upon us, for the sake of justice
and truth, to point out exceptions, especi-
ally when they are so notorious as to speak
for themselves. For instance. when we
charge fraud and corruption upon the
| Legislature of the State or upon the Rail
road Presidents, and ignorance and venali
/ ty upon the Judiciary, We have never
deemed it necessary to give the names of
those who form obvious and honorable ez-
ceptions to this charge.
| It is undeniably true, as a general rule,
that those Southern men whose disabilities
have been removed by Congress have oh
tanned the special dispensation of that
! body by dishonorable remuneration of their
past political views, by base assertions of
their former friends, and by ''going back
upon the most honorable events of their
lives, or by paying considerable sums to
pardon brokers, who make this q regular
business at the Federal Capital. We have
ourselves heard men in this city, who had
rendered valuable services to the Confed-
crate States in the field, making apologies
for their past course to negro audiences,
in order to obtain a Congressional pardon
and petty Office. We have heard of ap-
plications for pardon from men who, as
citizens and soldiers, had identified them
selves with the cause of tho South, the
recital Of which would bring the blush of
shame to any honest mans cheek.
Therefore, when we expressed the belief
that our National Legislature would not
continue to hawk its pardons to such sup
plicants as will pay most freely in money
OR in the humility and duplicity with
which they make their bids, we stated a
general fact, and we do not think that the
honorable exceptions to the rule have any
cause for complaint. But we will not rest
our defense upon the strength Of our po
sition. but will leave no room for doubt as
to our positive knowledge that some who
have received their pardons have obtained
them without sacrificing their personal
honor or political integrity.
We might mention the names of quite
number of North Carolinians whose
disabilities have been removed who we
know have obtained Congressional favor
houc1ably, and others who we believe
and trust are equally free from suspicion;
but we have no right to drag men from
the retirement of private life before the
public. But of our public men, who have
figured in political life since the war, we
would be much grieved should any one sup
pose that we would cast any shadow of
suspicion upon the memory of our late
distinguished friend, Judge OSBORNE, who
was one of the earliest and most prominent
recipients of Congressional pardon. Such
men as Colonel ALLEN, of Duplin, and ex-
Senator PURDUE, of Bladen, who we're
elected to the present Legislature, and !
were unseated as much for their personal |
as their political integrity, have reason to
be proud of the position this action has
given them, and the removal of their disa-
bilities reflects credit upon the heart as
we'll as the spirit of justice and candor
which prompted Colonel DocKERY in
urging their names upon Congress. We
might extend this list, but our object is
rather to correct any misapprehension of
our views than to speak of individual cases.
We are glad to believe that this pardon
business will soon be at an end. It has
oeen the source of much harm, and has
brought to the surface a spirit of intoler-
Ence and cupidity upon one side, and du-
'licity and humility upon the other, I
Which, for the sake of common humanity,
We would gladly have had remained unde- 1
eloped. And it has been the cause of q | q
ALIENATION, 81