Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-03-10
Observation-Disclosures.

The results Of the practical operation Of
the Reconstruction Acts of Congress have
more than justified the National Democra-
tic party in resisting their passage, and
the white people of the Southern States
for their almost unanimous opposition
thereto. The fate of North Carolina would
alone Justify all that has been said and
done by the Conservative party. Our Gov
ernor is being tried for vindictive abuse
of his authority. One Judge is about to
be brought before the same tribunal
others should be. Indeed, our State fur
nishes sufficient justification of the plat
form and campaign made by the Coneer-
natives in 1868.
Butsomo, to screen the guilt of their par
ty, pretend that tho troubles here arise to
further political ends. LII Arkansas
we hayo an exhibition Of the bitter fruits
Of Reconstruction, Ill which Radicals only
are engaged. That State it il condition
bordering on anarchy and bIoodshcd. The
leading officers Of the State. civil and ju~
dicial, are engaged i'll rancorous quarrel
n political family quarrel, all the com
batants being lsadicalr. The Democrats
stand aloof, without refusing, however, TO
avail Themselves of the advantages which
naturally accrue to them from the falling
out Of their enemies. The EC3tcn Post,
III noticing the extraordinary spectacle
now preEented by the condition Of affairs
IL that State, says the Governor, Lieu
tenant Governor, Chief Justice, and it may
be other Justices and oven tie Attor-
ney General, are impeached, from Off
ferent and conflicting mo tiyep, Of
course, but without power IN any
quarter to congummate impeach
ment. 1t is obvious that b state Of thingg so
extraordinary could only have arisen from
the association, III official POSITIONS, of n
we can understand it, Mr.. Mcdonald, mt
present Senator of thu United States, Is at
the bottom. or was an active agent in the
beginning of the difficulty. He seems to
have been the centre of ono Of those
"rings" which have become SO common,
the manipulation Of the corrupt machinery
of Radicalism, and in the prostitution Of
public Office and patronage to private and
selfish ends Through his influence and
In his interest Mr.. Clayton, the present
Governor, was introduced into office.
Who he il is not stated, except that he
was 4 Colonel in the late army of.the con-
federacy and 1T least a semi-carpet-b Dagger.
But what he is became apparent very
soon after his elevation to the Governor
ship. He was scarcely in his seat before
he began to pilot the overthrow OF his
friend and patron, Mcdonald, with view
to succeed him in the Senate. To accom-
piish this he brought false charges against
the Senator. and instigated and directed
the most shameless frauds in the election
of Representatives., SO that he packed the
Legislature in his own bshalf, and thus
secured his election in place of Mcdonald,
whose term expires with the present Con-
gress, and whose own political tricks have
thus returned upon him with retributory
effect. Clayton is, therefore, now both
Senator elect and Governor.
It is not to be wondered at that CON
(luCb 4Ik0 LU16 CAC1LCSA NtioEuSVS AOe OAAy
among the Democrats, who were but look
ers-on, without power of control, but
among such members of the Republican
party as were not wholly lost to justice and
honor. Between such Republicans and
Democrats there was sympathy, but no
coalition or concerted harmony of action.
The Republicans were led by the Lieuten-
ant-Goyernor, Johnson, who substantially
broke from the party, and with Democrat
ic aid succeeded in obtaining control of
the House. The Clayton party, mean
while, had resolved upon the removal OF
johnson, as too liberal Republican to be
entrusted with the gubernato<ial power
which would devolye upon him when Clay
l ton should take his seat in the Senate. -