Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-05-13
The Coming Canvass.

Throughout the State the notes of prep
aration for the approaching canvass are
heard. In many of the counties en!husias-
tic conventions have assembled aud candi-
dates been placed in the field, and in almost
all preliminary township meetings are being
held, looking to a thorough organization
of all citizens opposed to the present cor
rupt and extravagant State Government,
and TO the assembling OF district and ooun-
ty nominating conventions This is as it
should be. II requires bat united and
VOL directed effort upon the part of the
good and true people of North Carolina to
overthrow the party which in two years
has destroyed the prosperity and
furnished the honor Of the State.
From all quarters we hear Of the most
wonderful political revolution going on
among the people. Two years ago thnus-
ands of voters gave their support to the
Radical party upon honest but mistaken
grounds. Some believed it would be for
our material advancement for North Caro-
lima to be in political accord with the Gen
eral Government. Others thought that
the party which had framed the Coustitu-
ton should have the privilege of giving
direction and system to the new State
Government. Yet others from fear-a
vague, incomprehensihle fear-of loss of
property. Of military government-yes,
even of renewed hostilities-voted against
their honest CONVICTIONS or remained from
the polls. Then, TOO, the election was.
held under the registration of bitter, ig-
norant and interruptions partisaEs, and in
many cOnties the ballot boxes were in the
keeping of the same class Of persons,
some of them candidates for office, and
the counting OF the votes was in private.
No restraints were thrown around bad
men, but open and fragrant frauds were
wlnked at and sustained by the petty mil
itary satraps stationed throughout the
country. There being no appeal except to
the corrupt head Of these evils, the people
had no remedy for their wrongs, and this
very fact made many callous of the result.
Now things arc different The civil law,
weak and uncertain as it is, will control
these matters. The people are free from
the restraints imposed by the presence Of
the military. They have thrown off the
lethargy and the fears which controlled
their action IL the past. They bave given
Ia: llcalism fair cAd full test. For two
years, under their own Constitution and
laws, interpreted by their own judges and
executed by their own officials, that party
has had undisputed and untrammeled pos
session of the government of North Caro-
lima. The entire Executive and Judicial
Departments, and three fourths of the
Legislative, have been filed by their
chosen leaders. No meeting of their party
has protested against the course pursued
| by their officials, but almost unanimously
have they been endorsed.
Under this conaitiop Of things do We
enter the pending campaign. Oar people
everybody who loves North Carolina
more than party-who acknowledge greater
allegiance to his own interests and those
of his fellow-men, thsn to the edicts of a
political caucus-who honors virtue, vko
respects honesty, who regards intelligence,
who scorng corruption, and fraud, and
vice and extravagance-&re called upon to
right the wrongs which are depicting
North Carolina of her strength, and her
citizens of their substance. The issue is
in our own hands. The consequences will
be upon OFF own heads. Let US enter the
canvass, then, mindful Of the Importance
of victory and the evils of defeat,
Internal Revenue.