Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-09-08
Tn. south and National Politics.

our opinion that it would be good policy,
ard no surrender of principle, for the
South to abstain from active participation
at least in the Democratic Presidential
Nominating Convention. and at tho Time
gave reasons for our opinion. we do not
believe that our views met with much
favor. bnt we are still satisfied that they
were correct.
The fact that Northern Democrats have
been so successful in their State and local
elections, and that Southern Democrats
and Conservatives have been 60 successful
in their State and local elections, while
defeat-overwhelmin defeat. has followed
every Joint effort upon their part, convin-
ces us that the active participation of the
Southern people in National politics only
tends to weaken the hands Of their
friends.
Even the favor with which the name Of
General HANCOCK, than whom no Federal
soldier did more TO restore the authority
of the United States over the Southern
States, has been received by the people
and press of the South as probable Pres
idential candidate, has brought down upon
him the wrath of the more Radical press
of the North. Doubts even of his loyalty
are freely expressed, and merely because
the "6re-eaters" are willing to accept him.
Indeed, so strong are the preiudices yet
existing at the North towards the South
ern people that 40 Northern man can es-
cape suspicion. without regard to his re-
cord, if it is suspected that he is a favorite
at the South. Our regard is an element
of weakness, and our active participation
in the formation of the platform and in
selecting the candidates will be injurious,
probably fatal, to the Presidential cam
paign.
If, then, we are indeed powerless to eff
feet any good for ourselves in the condi-
tion in which we are placed, we must rely
upon some party to help US out of our
difficulties. We are satisfied that the
Southern people are willing, under such
circumstances, to trust their welfare in
the keeping of the National Democratic
Party. Our interests are the same. We
have no particular choice for the nominR-
ton, though we are partial to one or other
of the distinguished gentlemen named in
connection with the Presidency. But
as q people, it matters little whether
HENDRICKS, HANCOCK, THURMAN, HoFF-
MAN, GRoEsBECK, PENDLEToN, ADAMS or
CHASE be nominated by the Convention
What we want is success. We want to see
the Democratic party in power. It's or
Eanizatiou and traditions, its principles
and policy are known, and we are willing
to trust any of these eminent men in
charge of its administration. Men are
indeed secondary considerations with us.
The following extract from o letter from
Chief Justice A. 0. P. NICHOLSON, of Ten
nessee, a leading Statesman for many
years, under date of the 9th of August, in
reference to circular containing the plat
form upon which the friends of Judge
CHASE propose to present his name to the
National Democratic Convention for nomi-
nation to the Presidency, shows bis posi-
tion so identical with ours, that we pro.
duce it with no little satisfaction
81 do not think that the Southern
Democrats have any decided preference
"as to the persons to be nominated for
President. They look to the Convention
for the adoption OF a sound Democratic
"platform, and on such a ticket there will
" be substantial unanimity. I think can
safely add, that Chief Justice Chase, by
his frmness, independence, and ability
in the discharge of his judicial duties,
has secured the decided confidence of
the Southern Democracy.
o,,o ,,ooob kT,n
Southern sentiment, it is the general
impression that the selection of candi-
"dates ought to be made by the Northern
Democrats, and that the Southern Dem
ocrats would neither suggest nor advo-
cate any preferences for the nomina-
tions to be made. This course is indi-
q" Gated as wise on the part of the South
" ern Democrats, because CT the convic-
on that there exists in the Northern
"mind a jealous suspicion OF Southern
statesmen. which would render it i'm
prudent in them to take any prominent
"psrt in indicating or selecting candi- |
" dates.
L" For thesame reason, think the South |
" ern Democrats are prepared to acquiesce |
sc candidates from the Northern States
" Indeed, it would not be easy to fnd III
" the Southern States statesman fitted
" for either position whose connection or
" sympathy with the late civil war would
I" not cause his nomination to become a
Sc ground of weakness to the ticket. 1
. give it to you, as my judgment, that the
Non k1nvrN IN~,o1 4
f' their duty, in the present state of politi- :
s cal affairs, to await in silence the action ;
' of their Northern friends, having full :
confidence that they will adopt such q
platform and make such nominations as
70 will command the cordial support and
' cooperation of the Southern Democ b
Tae1."