Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-09-22

tlemen shQu!d be settled by themselves.
rather than by third party. We think.
ltherefore, the substitution of the word
Respectable for the word responsible is e
material alteration, however unintention~
ally made. and that it tends to give 40 in
correct idea of the position of the jour
NAL
| This is briefly the history and status of
the difficulty between the Sentinel and the
| JOURNAL.
We repea. that Editorial law gave the
JoURSAL the right to publish Major
HEARNE's letters, and that editorial conr-
tesy and Custom demanded the exercise OF
that right at the request Of Major HEARSf'
ualess ths Sentinel can show that he was
not an Editor or a responsible MALI
When the Sentinel shows either OF the SO
we will be prepared to admit We were IN
lerrOr-not until then.
But beyond this question of Editorial
law and custom there lies another, regard
ed ss of far greater Importance by think
ing men, which We now proceed to state,
and in stating to develop mere fully the
chief reason for the public alton OF these
letters
The only ground upon which it can be
sought, with any show Of reason, to dcbaf
the elias, % men to which Major HEARSE
belongs from editorial courtesies IN the
columns Of Conservative paper. is that
they are political enemies. This brings
up the question, are they to be treated by
us as political enemies Their sole act
OF political hostility, as far as ws know,
COL sists in having opposed the late call
for Convention on the ground of it's un-
constitutionality.
We deny emphatically that This is suffi"
oient evidence on which to denounce men
as Radicals There never was any con-
vention of the Conservative party requir-
ing its members to support the call. It is
true that Conservatives very generally
voted for Convention. but it is true, also,
that prominent Conservatives, good law.
yers and intelligent. patriotic meu In vAri-
GUS paris of the State, denied the consti-
tutionality Of the proposed call and doubt
ed its expedienoy. As we understand the
matter the point at which Conservatives
aimed was to effect certain changes IN
the Constitution. The Convention mode
was one way. and the cheapest and most
expeditions one to accomplish the desired
end, and as such was urged by it's advo-
Gates for adoption by the people. It was
never otherwise regarded than as means
and as subordinate to the end. The peo-
pie, however. for reasoDs that to them
seemed sufficient, decided against The Con
vention mode. and Conservatives, keeping
the same end steadily in view, to wit: to
change the Constitution, propose to ac-
complish it by the next most speedy and
economical mode, to wit: Legislative en-
actment. This we understand to lie the
true status of Conservatives and Of the
Conservative party in reference to this
matter.
Now the class Of men with. whom Major
HEARNE acted in the late canvass, though
they opposed Convention, yet claim to be
also opposed to Radicalism. aud unless We
prop oss to drive them off from us in the
next contest with Rsdioalisn1, soou to be
ipaugurated, it was manifest policy to
publish the letters.
It is sheer folly for Conservatives to
assert that every man who opposed Con-
vention is Radical. To do SO is to ad-
NIT that the party has met an overwhelm-
ing defeat and is now in q hopeless mi
nority.
It is our policy to gather into our fold,
rather than to drive QUITO open the door.
rather than to shut it. and only We pur-
| bo
stand or fall. Believing this. We felt
bound, when opportunity offered, as far
as lay in our power, to give proper shape
and direction to the policy OF the party.
If, in thus following the dictates of orr
Judgment, we come in collision with the
Sentinel, wo shall exceedingly regret the
fact We cannot, however, certainly we
cannot at this iuncture, see the expedien-
cy of prescription and intolerance. II the
policy here advocated by the JOURNAL had
been pursued the Hon. LEWIS HANEs. late
Editor of the Old North State, would have
been deprived of one of the principal ex-
cuses given for his recent political apos-
tacy.
AS to anything OF a personal nature
there may be in this matter, we have only
to say: The relations of an Editor to the
party, of which his paper is one of the
acknowledged opponents. demand impera-
lively of him sorupuIous avoidance of
everything tending to destroy harmony or
to produce discord in its ranks.
Fully impressed with the weight of this
obligation, and fixed in his determination
to pursue the course his Judgment tells
him is wise and prudent, it is the purpose
of the Editor of the Journal to make it
appear upon the record, in the event
trouble does come, that he has done every
thing in his power to avoid il. and that
the responsibility for dissensioa and di-
vision and consequent defeat does not res
upon his shoulders. When forbearance
ceases to be a virtue whatever course may
be proper in the premises will be pursued.