Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-04-30
Special CORE .pOndelce Of the Journal.
Wayside Queries and Information-RuraI
n.Confiscation- Morgan
ton-The new Railroad-The Blue Ridge
de-. &c.

A days rest at Morganton, at the Wal
ton House, where very kind attention was
shown, refreshed US and impaired new
vigor to our much fatigued system. This
was, indeed, necessary. The ride from
Salisbury to Morganton was over an excel
lent and easy road. The beauty of the
landscape at every point was striking, but
that belt of land lying between Statesville
and Catawba Station. to our fancy, has not
its equal. It has certainly none excelling
it in all that is picturesque. Whitherso-
ever the eye was turned it lit upon other
charms until, running around the whole
horizon, it saw nothing but a laughing ma
ture laden with the unsullied beauties of
Spring. We added tint to the picture
by calling to memory and imagination the
Golden sands &nd palmy wine"
of the Cape Fear region. A cheering sun
had sent the white frost of the morning in
clouds across the mountains, and left its
own sprightliness on the bosom of the
land. The hills, the fields, the glens, the
copses, the silver cleaning o. the stream
lets, all wrapt in sunlight was quite suffi-
cient to satisfy the lovers of Gods foot
STOOL The husbandmen were everywhere
active, ploughing, planting, fencing, build
| ing, whistling and singing at their patient
and pleasant toll.
A very prominent gentleman of this
State, and one, too, who voted for the
Constitution, who had noticed me asking
several peculiar questions for mere travel
er, took seat by me- Confirmed as to
whom [ was, my character and politics, he
began a conversation with much ANNA
ton. 1t was purely political, and relative
to the Ubiquitous legislation of the lately
adjourned law makers.
"Guilford and Randolph counties" said
he, "voted Radical. They did so because
they expected better things, and particu-
larly did they on account of the Stay Law
and the Homestead Act"
"Well. sir" L answered ironically, CT
hope they've got all they expected"
Gail They are the most deceived peo-
pie, and the most dissatisfied in the whole
State. speak especially for them. The
State is under 81 curse"
1.-The people are beginning to find that
out. There was monkey that did many
naughty things. Its master told the dar-
ky to cut its tail off. He did so by inches.
rible outcry. The master went to see
what was the matter. why Bill, he said,
I thought told you to cut its tail off
right close? Vas, sar. Den it moight
make too big an outcry. A little at
time is BETTER"
''That is what the present government
is doing. Our lands, our dwellings, all
that we have will soon pass under the
sheriff. execution. And sold, for what?
Taxation! Taxation! Taxation! We are
forced to sell our lands, and this is the
mild whip Holden's government is crack
ing"
Eyes, exactly so. Were Thad. Stevens
living he would chuckle, and joyfully ex
claim-'my idea is realized Now we
have confscation! So you see, sir, it is
the most tyrannical kind of confscation,
for it is done in the name of law and good
government"
"These men act for the party. I don't
imply all. Some have spark of patrio-
tism. But enough to carry their unjust
and illegal measures, think of nothing but
themselves, and their party They have
no interest in the State. They care no
more for its welfare than they do for the
King of Timbuctoo.
''Yet You helped to put these men into
power?"
ST did. But BY shall never do so
again. There are thousands that will
never be so deluded again. Guilford and
Randolph are ready to rise as one man
/ 80 -
money here in the hands of Northern men
who have come down for no other purpose
then by bribary to corrupt the Legislature.
They knew their men. They were not
mistaken. They will buy our lands for
almost nothing. This unlimited and I'M
reasonable taxation will compel US to sell
them"
"That seems to be the general impress
sion."
Glow do the people of Wilmington feel
in this matter p
"They look on in silence. They think
great deal. That's ell they can do
"But they ought to do"
"Sir, they fought as men never fought
with money, and pen, and voice to prevent |
the coming in of this party to power-I
They fought almost to the death while you
voted for that Constitution which has put
these men in power They did their duty
nobly to their own and their country's
pride. Did the West but understand the |
East, and stretch out the patriotic hand,
and say let us be friends in this contest,
they and you could we'll bid defiance to |
this hybrid party. You were jealous of
the East, forgetting that it was but part |
of your State. You seemed to glory in it's
degradation. But the same degradation |
has come to your own door. You have
learned, when too late, the sad lesson
The East saw it in the advance. The
horns of the beast were seen in that land.
Now it looks on because it is helpless"
1--WE must be united. Something must
be done to arrest this leveling tide. AS
semblies ought to be held all over the
State. I know that if that Constitution
was put before the people, with the knowl-
edge they have. it would be put down.
I'll see you again. l will write to you. I
have to get out here. Good bye, sir"
l gave the gentleman my address. He
owned fifty slaves before the war, and he
said he did not marry to get them either.
Morganton is an old and scattered look
ing place. 1t has a large square Court
L L L. II