Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-06-23

ring the displeasure of many and
the hatred Of few. Nor should
we be disappointed that some of these
at least would greedily seize the opportu-
nifty which defeat gave to make him the
scape goat of all our misfortunes, if for no
better reason than to cover up their own
shortcomings. The calumnies Of his cap
ture could not shut their mouths, nor the
cruelties of Fortress Monroe touched not
their sensibilities. Even WASHINGTON, at
the close of O successful rebellion" was
bcset with slanderers and secret enemies,
who filed columns of the newspapers and
distributed pamphlets in order to destroy
his influence and to detract from his good
name.
It is not our purpose to defend the
course Of JEFFENsoN DAVIS while President
of our struggling Confederacy, or since
the close of the unhappy war. He needs
no defense. History Will take care of that.
The scenes of the struggle are too fresh IN
our memories. Our hopes. our asplra-
tons, our sufIerings, our defeat. our pres
emit condition control oar judgments too
much to bear impartial testimony. We
must leave it to the d. cision Ct posterlty.
But while his admirers reserve their Judg-
ments those who dissent should also re
main silent. One thing is quite sure that
if his conduct in the past or IN the present
is to be made a party question-lf the
Southern people must necessarily de-
nounce him to prove their fealty to party
or their patriotism to the country-then
is Southern unity destroyed. We ere
willing to do great de al to preserve the
integrity of our party, and submit to much
to defeat Radical tyranny and des'
potism. We will approve the plat
form and vote for the candidates OF
our Northern friends, but We will
not sacrifice our manhood, nor defame our
beloved leaders. We may see their errors
and deplore them, but we prefer to shield
them with our affection rather than exag-
gerate them to our enemies.
None could have regretted more than we
that Mr.. DAVIS Bho uld cot have preserved
that d;gni6ed silence on political subjects
which had SO long marked his public
course, not from anything which he has
said, for he gave utterance TO nothing
which might not have fallen unrebuked
from the lips of any patriot, but because be
could have said nothing which would not
have been misconstrued and distorted, and
used to iniure the very people for whom
he would willingly poar out his heart
blood.
/ We did not require his explanation to
see that in his Atlanta speech he die
not counsel the Southern people, directly
or Indirectly, not to abide the situation.
or that he advised even remotely revival
of armed resistance, or that anything
which fell from his lips was tinctQred with
disloyalty to the Government. His advice.
then, and his explanation now, was tc
encourage our people to bear their trials
with patience, TO bow meekly to the
majesty OF the law--not surrender
their manhood, but rather 10 wait pa
tiently until the returning good sense Oh
the Northern people brings about re
versal of the more obnoxious features II
the recent Congressional legislation. We
honor him for bis sentiments, whatever
may 10 QUIZ opium " tuo PO1l0y VI 'h>
advice.
We ask no one to endorse our views upor
this subject. They come from one who
followed the fortunes of the ''lost cause
from tho Peninsula to Appomattox.-
They arc not political-are not of the
present, but of the past. We find fault
only with those who desire to make the
pronunciation Of JEFFERSON DAVIS test OF
party fealty and loyalty to the government.
We deprecate such an issue, but if forced
upon us against our solemn protest, then
are we false-uo party and country.