Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-03-31

husband, who belongs 10 the prOuuest
house of the British peerage, is one Of the
yealthiest men in Great Britain.
North CarolIn=-COnfIct OF Opinions.
We desire to direct attention to extracts
from the testimony Of Rev. j. Brinton
Smith before the Committee of Inyestiga-
ton on alleged 'outrages in this
State, which we published yesterday,
not only on account of its truthful inter
est, but to compare It with that given by
another witness before tho came commit
tee. MIR. Smith il Northern man. al
minister III good standing of the PrOtes
tant Epiacopal Church for upwards of "
quarter of n century. He came to North
Carolina at tho request Of General Howard,
and has been ut tho head Of the normal
school for the education Of ColorCd teach.
ers during lis entire residence IN this
State. This has thrown him in direct
connection with the bottor GLASS Of colored
people. AS Secretary Of tho North Caro-.
lima Agricultural Society, and by being
thrown with the members Of the ConVen-
ton and Legislature, he has had much to
40 Will 4CHuAhS dlCA VI OOtu POIAlACh
parties. He voted fer General Grant, and
his political affiliations, so far 90 he bad
any, were with the Republican party,
until driven from it by their corrupt ex-
cesses.
he has been upon the most friendly
terms with Governor Holden, as his evil
dence shows, and Mr.. Smith was present
II I'll
Empire, with Grant as Emperor.
We hope this testimony viii, be carefully
read. It is told, with great frapkness,
without prejudice. and with the sole desire
of stating the truth without regard to its
political effect. He is no office-holder mol
ofice-seeker. He came to labor in behal
of the welfare of the colored people--tt
educate them--to elevate them, and ha
devoted his time and talents to this pur-
pose with the approval of both viii es anC
blacks. He has no wish nor occasion tt
use the colored people to promote hi
own peouniary and political advancement
He is, in every sense Of the word, not opl,
from his character and calling. but from
his entire absence of interest, an intelli
witness His testimony must carry will
il much force and will command belief.
We were struck with few question:
and answers not only for their truthful
ness, as our own experience teaches us
but as being in such marked contrast will
the information of distinguished Radi
cal, VINO likewise testified before this Com
.,
follows:
Question-Have you such personal knowledge
or reliable inform alton from those whom you
know to be CREDIBLE, as will enable you to stat
the true condition OF affairs in any part OF tn
State 2
Question-State it as briefly az You can.
Answer-With regard to the people OF Nortl
Caroina-and have had great deal of init
mate. close conversation with gentlemen fror
various parts OF the State-I regard them al
extremely kind people, moan kind toward the
colored people they have kindly feeling TO
them l have evidence of it on all sides in ex
pressions and in acts. find that the relation
slave has left a feeling of kindness on the part o
the master toward the slave. find masters con
tinually recognizing the old relationship, an(
aiding and assisting their former slaves. know
OF no feeling, upon the part of any one in Norti
Carolina that have ever talked with and met, o
antsgonism toward the colored people.
Judge Russell, native North Carroll
MAN. young man of decided Radical pro
clivities, an office-holder, and, if reports
be true, an aspirant for still further politi
cal preferment, also testified before Thu
Committee, and was asked pretty much tn,
same questions which were propounded tt
Rev. Mr.. Smith. The Judge says
"My information extends over most of the State
for l have taken the trouble to inform myself il
respect to at least two-thirds of tho State where
these depredstions have occurred, and. from VIII =
consider reliable authority. my opinion is very
decided that it Is utterly impossible to secure
anything like fair trial in any case where any
person belongs to any of these secret oreaniza
tions or clans, Constitutional Union Guards, &c.
utterly impossible in any such case to obtain
fair trial on the part of the State. IN the frs
place, it Is difficult to procure bill of indictment
through the grand jury. In nine cases out of ten
the men who commit the crimes constitute or sit
on the grand Jury, either they themselves OF
their near relatives or friends, sympathizers
aiders or abettors and il a bill is found it ID
next to impossible to secure conviction upon
trial at the bar. have heard of no instance III
North Carolina where conviction of that sor
has taken place"
Nov, we suppose, Judge Russell is emit.
tied to his opinions, and can form them, il
he so chooses, from too ready and will
ling belief Of the stories concocted by his
political friends, who, too. have their ends
to gain, but he can hardly expect the
thinking people of this State and of the
united States to give much weight to
opinions formed under such circumstances
1t seems to US it would have been as vel
for Judge Russell TO have confined him
self to his own District, and spoken OF hie
swn knowledge. he would then have beer
less liable to err. He might indeed hav.
done his party less service. but could hav.
done the State less injury. His own az
perience as Judge would not only hav,
been interesting. but he could have don.
an act OF Justice to people, who have q
least treated him with all the respect du
his Official position, and whose good opir