Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-06-11
Political Baseness.


Political Baseness.
Here and there, throughout the State,
are Southern men who have formerly had
some social and political character, who
have embraced Radicalism, and doubtless
have had some influence in deceiving and
frightening the few native whites into the
party who have heretofore voted with
them. If We could find one who neither
holds an Office nor has attempted to obtain
one through the desertion and betrayal of
his former friends and associates, we might
have some little respect for his honesty if
not for his judgment. But, 80 far as we
can now call to mind, there is not one who
was qualified by his education and associa-
ton to fill the duties of an Office who has
not been elected or appointed to one or
two, or more, or who has not sought @
score. Of all miserable subterfuges to get
into office the North Carolina scalawags
have resorted to the most contemplate and
shallow. Their avidity to be rewarded for
their political perfdy and desertion has
been as graceless as it has been dishonora-
BILE. We have pity for the poor creatures
who sold their birth rights for a mess of
pottage, and have apologized for the most
honorable records of their lives before de-
based and unappreciative negro audiences
in order that their dishonor might pur-
chase a livelihood which their Incidence
and worthlessness failed to procure. We
have contempt for the ambitious North
Carolinians who have triumphed over the
misfortunes of their brothers and won
place and pelf from strangers and negroes
by reimbursement and by sacrifice of
self-respect.
Is there prominent North Carolinian
who has embraced Radicalism and who is
not to-day in possession of his reward, or
grumbling because he has failed to receive
it If any let him speak, for him have we
offended. Is there no exception ? Is there
not one with the modesty and the
semblance of honesty enough to de-
fer his claims until decent sea-
son Of mourning and probation have
passed How can we expect men who,
never having mastered the legal alphabet,
have the efrontery to don judicial robes;
without experience, knowledge or honesty
take charge of public funds; without the
commonest rudiments Of education act as
clerks and sheriffs; without qualifications.
moral or social, accept any and every Office
within their reach, to hesitate to pocket
the price of their shame from any com.
Functions of conscience or from any fear
of exposure.
These men have. indeed, purchased
paltry and temporary positions. but they
have obtained them through infamy and
disgrace. While in authority the people
will respect the Office if not the officer, but
when the tidal wave of despotism shall
have swept by, and political and social
affairs shall have recovered their equili-
brium they will go forth detested alike by
those whom they have deserted and those
by whom they have been purchased, and
will have no good grounds on which to
found protest against their self-imposed
obliquity. It gives US little pleasure to
announce the names of some men whom
we formerly respected as having received
at the hands of deluded negroes, or by
Executive favor, position in the State
government. 1t is the stigma of disgrace
which will cling to them and their children
for generations the recorded evidence of
their cowardice and covetousnessin the hour
Of defeat and misfortune-the miserable
token of the approval of the destroyers of
their own and their fellows liberties.
Holden, estimating character by his own
standard, is using his power of appoint
ment to Office and his influence with Presi-
dent GRANT as the lever by which to over
turn the political fabric of the State, and
give his party local habitation among the
whites. He is dispensing his favors with
view to clineh new converts or to win
the wsvering. He will doubtless succeed
to some extent. Men have been purchased
before and will be again, but allies pro-
cured by such means have neither injured
their former friends or proved profitable
to their new ones. BE ia welcome to such
lrecruits, and We will gladly give him bat