Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-09-17
WASHINGTON, Sept. T, 1869.

The Departments are ordered to be clos
ed to-day on account of the death of Sec.
rotary Rawlins, and the. local papers of
this morning are filled chiefly with com
ments upon the character, rervices and
sentiments of the deceased-more or les,
sincere, and more or less truthful.
Whatever may be said rs to the public
| bearing of this unexpected and nntoward
event, it cannot be denied that the Presi-
dent has met with an irreparable loss
| Admitted to be incompetent from defective
education and very limited grasp of mind
to comprehend the more important and
intricate questions which constantly arise
in governmental affairs, and equally ut
fault in those qualities which enable such
men as Jackson and Clay were to read the
hearts of those who can, Gen. Grant stands
in special Ieed of O long-tried and fast
friend, capable, in all respects, Of guard
ing him from the,commission of errors and
blunders more especially calculated to stain
private reputation, and to bring those who
have had "greatness thrust upon them
into public ridicule. In the late Secretary
Alas 1t is a pity that he has not
always followed his advice Where,
among the leading Radicals of the hour,
will he find another ?
This correspondence, and that of many
other Democratic papers, have always done
ample justice to the learning, talents and
unsullied personal honor of Gen. Rawlins.
and at times, too, when the Radical press
which now would defy him were exceed
ingly chary of commentator. It was new
er, however, maintained that he possessed
elevation and strength of mind sufficient
to raise him to the height of becoming al
effective barrier to the progress of Radical
usurpation and despotism, or public virtue
sufficient to make him martyr to truo
patriotism. It may be said, nevertheless,
with truth, that whatever of "cOnserVa
tism there ever was III this Administra
ton has departed with the now dead states
man, and that doubtless he has always ex
ercised the power he had over General
Grant in the direction of moderation.
It is understood to-day that the success.
sor of General Rawlins will be some Penn
sylvania politician. Forney has already
dried up his tears and entered upon the
canvas" and it is reported that Came
ron, and others as n0toriously patriotic,
started on the war path yesterday. In the
meantime General Sherman will nominally
discharge the duties of Secretary of War,
although the law palpabiy regards his
present position as cheek upon the War
Department. -...
The Lynchburg Republican contains
some unguarded remarks upon the resent
opinion of Attorney General Hoar.
quote few lines, italicising q word or two
/ ''The people of Virginia will feel that
the decision of Mr.. Hoar has raised from
their shoulders heavy yoke. Now, let
the people of Virginia prove by their con
duct that tie confidence so repoSed IN them
has been hon0rabLy DESCRIBED; that they do
in reality and good faith accept the situa-
ton ; that they do support the reconstruc
ton laws OF Congress, and mean to enforce
the new State Constitution in all its pro
visions. Congress aOiA admit a0t9ing bm "
full, sincere and lasting compliance 'oiH 4"
policy. 1t behooves US as true men ant
patriots to make it, and to fulfil the pledge
honestly" ...
The gist of this paragraph lies In the AL
mission that Congress will finally demand
s. assurance made doubly sure " OF
lasting bondage to the Radical party" 1t
would be difficult to perceive wherein tho
"opinion reposes any confidence IN
the people of Virginia" The way that
document is considered here is, that it was
gotten up for the sole purpose Of e;rpreSS""
doubts upon that 0eyy point! Nothing what
ever is left to the colitiOn of the people
or their Representatives, except the rejection
by the latter of the Fifteenth Amend,
ment," and, under the circumstances, thai
course is the only one through which they
can properly repel the unjust imputaton,
Surely, the whole State has been grievously
humbugged, and obligations, if any were
ever incurred, effectively cancelled. y