Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-10-28
Tinted states Senator.

with the course adopted py eoIho VI o'Ii
friands Of fhe North Carolina press in re
gard to the pending election for United
States Senator by tho General Assembly
soon to convene in Raleigh We say
friends. for ag such we esteem them-trlends
nnrsonalIy. coIaborcrs in the same cause
and as jealousy devoted to the CohSer-
yative party as VIC are. But believing IlaU
their course is not only injurious to the
marty but unbecoming the press, We must
regpectfullv but earnestly enter our pro
test.
Tho Conservative party very justly
claims that within its ranks are found nine
teptbs Of the virtue, character, intelligence
and worth of the State. Its press IS the
exponent Of this parry, ard has III us
leepinp much Of its reputation our
recent decisive victory was owing more TO
the crimes and corruptions Of our oppo-
uentg than from any positive enumeration
of principles upon our part. we were
etruck with the force Of remark made to
ns recently by q leading North Carolina
Radical who, being O member OF the late
Legislature knew whereof ho spoke that
il the Conservatives, III the coming LcSlS'
lature, were guilty Of half the mlSdecds
which his party had committed III the last
the result would DO reversed at the next
election. with even moro decided VIC
tory for the Radicals While tho premises
are not possible, the argument IS conclu-
siye.
The Conservatives cannot, aud will not,
disappoint the just expectations OF the
people, either in their acts of legislation
or in the selection Of officers. If they do
they will deserve 10 be, and will be, beaten
when the people are again called upon to
PASS their Judgment. 1t is, therefore, alb
soIuteIy necessary for public speakers and
the press to forego all Nero individual pro
ferences and forget all mere individual pre-
iudices. Our legislation and our elections
must be governed by the true interests OF
the whole State, and not controlled by
local or individual feelings
We have been led to these observations
from witnessing the personal character
Given by some Of our contemporaries TO
the discussion Of the merits OF several
prominent gentlemen who have been
ppoken Of in connection with the United
States Scnut0rship We fear their opln-
ions are influenced by their likes and DIS
likes, as their language most assnredly Is.
There is not gentleman named IN CON
nection with this exalted position by the
Conservative press who is not entirely
above rcpro.ch- Every one Of 'henn IL
distinguished either in the civil or military
history OF North Carolina, and some IN
both. The characters OF all are such as to
Justify any aspirations they may have for
the office. and their abilities arc equal to
the demands Of the position. Personally
and politically they are proper represen-
tatives OF North Carolina Conservatism.
1t does seem TO rs that from this stand
point we should discuss this question
A different course brings reproach upOr
the party, and detract8 from the dignity
and influence Of the press. What may be
our personal relations with BRAGG, GRA-
HAM, VANCE, RANSOM, NIERRINfoN, WAR
rem, ALLEN, DARGAN, or any other gentle
man named in connection with the Senator
ship, the people have nothing to do. The.
have no right to demand it, and we Wouic
not be justified in parading it before on
readers If we were warmly attached t.
them personally, our Judgment of thei
merits might be brought into question
If we felt unkindly towards them VI
could not expect our distorted feelings t.
meet with sympathy from others. How
ever bitterly we might donounce them, VI
could not shake public confidence in thei
integrity or lower the public estimate
their exalted characters. Personal friend
ships and personal feuds should not be per
mitted to NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. discussionso
the merits of candidates. An editor shoul
forget his individual identity IN advising
the people in regard to mon. There CO
be no other safe rule.
ssIf self the wavering balance shake,
lis rarely well adjusted"
We think that there ere two impOrtaI
points to DO attained IN tho election c
Senator, and which should control the &C
ton of members of the Legislature
Firss-Tho t,erooll vlvUtud should not u
disqualified by the Constitution of the Un
ted States. The people Of North Carolin
have expressed their opinion in regard
this question. Among the entire numbC
of Conservatives elected to the Legislature
we know of but one who falls within I'll
prescriptions of the Fourteenth AMEND
ment, although it is a disputed poil
whether this amendment applies to MON
bers of the Legislature, SO particular hay
they been to conform to all the probab
roouiraroaOtS of tho law We do not thlI
that these representatives would be jdst
fed in pursuing O different course in cleo
ing officers.
Second-Ho should DC ropresental'
man, in sympathy with the people and IL
true exponent of them. The time HI
passed when men should be chosen merel
because they were good ''Union men