Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-01-15
" the tyranny of the General Govern

ment or the degeneracy of their own
people, been humbled in the dust of hu-
initiation, to advise others of their dangers.
But it is not so easy for proud and honor
able natures to voluntarily accept dis
honor When the people of North Caro-
lima might have had an opportunity to
compromise on universal amnesty and
universal suffrage" there was no organ
within the limits Of the State to advocate
it-nay, since universal suffrage has
been forced upon us, as much by the
cowardice and venality Of our own people
as by the strong arm of the Government,
no public advocate has yet sprung up in
North Carolina. To be sure some papers
and men, whose hind.sights do not
seem to be better than their " fore-sights."
have talked vaguely about qualified suf'
frage after, and not before, unirersd suf-
frage was fastened upon us.
The questions involved in the decision OF
Virginia are of vital importance to her
people, and we trembls at her fate when
| we see good citizens wranglins in debate
policy. Whether the course pursued by
those men who have sent a delegation to
Washington City to precipitate matters, is
actuated by wise and sound policy, is
subject of grave consideration, out that
they acted prematurely, is without ques-
ton. There should have been an honest
and faithful effort to reconcile all differ
ences of opinions before any definite and
serious action should have been taken.
Any movement involving so much OF the
happiness and welfare of the people at
large, should have had the moral force Of
unanimity and the sympathy ofgood people
every where.
In coming to final decision, Virginia
has the advantage of the results of re-
construction in other States, if past acts
can be regarded as any criterion by which
to Judge of the present disposition and
purposes of Congress. What has been done
with Alabama, which defeated Congress
sional reconstruction negatively, and what
is about to be done with Mississippi, which
defeated it positively, and with Georgia,
which accepted IL with a protest in the
form Of Democratic Legislature, is or
will all be known before Virginia will be
called upon to act. We are certain that
universal negro suffrage, in one way or an
other, will be forced upon that State, if it
is not accepted. We do not know whether
the manner of receiving the dose will work
to the advantage or disadvantage of the
people. 1t may. if forced, be mixed with
other and worse ingredients. While. if
voluntarily accepted, in connection with
universal amnesty, the power of the whites,
if able now to resist it at the ballot-box,
could then control it through the same
agency.
But these are considerations for the peo-
pie of that State. We have yet to see our
way clear of the dangers which environ re-
constructed North Carolina before we are
able to give advice to unreconstructed Vir-
ginia. If there is condition of things
acorsc to their people than that which has
followed the acceptance by North Carolina
or the rejection by Alabama of Congression-
al reconstruction, then we would advise
Virginia to follow in the footsteps of
neither. AS it is, we can only beseech them
to unite upon common plan, and ask for
them the blessings of God.