Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-12-16

declar, d. unequiyocally. for an act OF gan
eral amnesty by the present Congress that
the 1sstroly loyal :" In the South are. as yet,
bitterly opposed to any forgiveness what
ever being extended to zunrepentant
rebels. The New York Tribune, acknowl-
edged as the leading Republican organ in
the conn;ry, has declared most positively
fer the extension of Congre ssionsl Glenn
ency, as has the New York Times and
other leading Republican papers in the
Northwest. Yet the carpet baggers and
scalawags in this State refuse to endorse
the plank placed in the party platform by
Mr. Greeley, and still cry Out. through their
organ. the Standard, for punishment, to
the death, of those who oppose them in
their political schemes. All who are will
ling to exist in the South under the rule
of INSCRIPTIONS men, or who are them
selves of SO little principle as to desire to
purchase their own advancement at the
price of Individual integrity. can easily
enough receive O pardon manifesto.
Bnt the opposite attitudes of Northern
and Southern Radicals admit Of solution
by the fact Of eelfshness and greed of
power and office as respectively developed.
The old hulk of Radicalism is fast going to
pieces amid the overwhelming pillows OF
popular outcry and population. We do
not pretend to attribute to the Northern
Radicals any unselishness or sense of
Justice in heir action. 1t has its name in
other terms-those Of political necessity.
To bind together the timbers of the party
hulk by auxiliary aid and the demand of
public sentiment, universal amnesty is
upheld as a scheme for the retention of
power, upon which political life depends.
In an opposite direction does the unprin-
cipled greed and aspiration Of the horde at
the South manifest itself. Amnesty with
them is but the death knell of their chances
for preferment. Intelligence AMI virtue
once restored to their former elevation
and removed from the band oil the good
and true and honest men of the South
once again permitted 10 hold office the
mcrcenary, unjust and unprineipled politi
calserfdom ended, then goodbye forever
to the carpet -bagger's pap, the scnlawag's
reward for his apostacy, and their official
existence. These are the motives and these
the principles of opposition to amnesty
among the Radicals Of the Scn!h. But let
them take caro- that while they endeayor to
perpetuate their individual greed, the
charge of disloyaIty to their national party
Is not made against them, aud political
punishment visited accordingly.
But selfish or unselfsh, trcksters or just
politicians, the Northern Radical journals
and supporters are correct in that interpre-
tation of the signs of the times. Too long.
as an act Of generally recognized justice,
has this amnesty been deferred, and to
mitigate and, if possible, avert the verdict
Of condemnation for the criminal refusal
to extend it. its passage now is mooted and
favored as proper measure. Amnesty has
become an unmistakable necessity; out
ragged public sentiment is debating it, and
woe to the party in power if they refuse.
It must come-no human opposition can
avert it; and responsibility and consequent
punishment for its long deferonoe is almost
certain.