Wilmington journal., 1871-06-30
Dutv cF the South.

We give place below to well-consider-
ed article from that sterling paper the
Washington Patriot, upon the duty OF the
South in regard to the approaching Ma
tional Democratic Convention. we do SO
as it is the first opposition we have seen
outside of the reconstructed States to the
proposition which we have advocated 1or
the South to take no part IN that ConVen-
tiop. This measule, which we have urged
for a month or more, seems to meet Win
much favor in the Southwest. Ia Tennes'
see. Mississippi and Alabama especially
the leading papers and speakers are aoVo-
eating it with much zeal.
We have urged that our people shouio
take no part in the nominating Conven-
ton from the very best motives. 1t is no1
that we wish to destroy the national char-
acter OF the party or its nominating Con-
vention not that we believe any Pohoy
will be adopted or even pressed to e1clHoe
the South from its jusS influence IN tHa'
National Council ; OF that we wish TO hoio
aloof in order to place ourselves ID posi-
ton to select between the candidates ana
platforms of the two parties. Nothing IS
farther from our purpose. We are WllIlng 6
to trust the national character OF the Con
yention and its action to our Nortnern
allies; we will demand that consldera-
tion for our feelings and opinions due our
common manhood, our equality as cltl-
zers of the United States, and as members
of the National Democratic party, and our
large electoral vote. Besides, we are de-
termined to vote for the Democratic can
didates whoever they be, or upon what
ever platform they may be placed. we
make this pledge freely, for we sec IN the
success of that party the only nope Tor
constitutional liberty, the equality OF the
States and local solf-government.
We have believed, aud still believe. that
it will be better for the Southern people
to take no part in the proceedings OF the
Convention. The result of the preslden-
tial election must be worked ont regard
less of the Southern vote. The candidates
must be men who can secure Northern
votes, and the platform so worded as &c
propitiate Northern sentiment. The sue
cess of the party WOULD be advanced the
more if it could free itself from the mem
ories and prejudices Of the civil war-
Northern Democrats and Southern Con
servatives and Democrats have met With
much success in their local contests, bu
disaster has invariably ovcrtaken all thell
allied efforts. The people of the Nortb
have not forgotten the prejudicos aroused
bv the war enough to unite with the people
of the South in political measures-they are
not yet prepared, practically at leass' TO &C
cept such symbols of O reunited and harmo
nious people. We are willing to accep
this situation" as we have hundreds OF
others. in some of which, at least, we have
seen cherished principles and valuable
rights swept away.
The only drawback to this plan OF actor
upon the part of the Southern people II
the probability Of its not meeting with
universal acceptance. If the large body
of our people should adopt this course II
would leave to dissenting minority the
power to send delegates who would be IN
no ssnse of the word representative men
men who could do no possible good, but
might do much harm. This view OF the
question only presents serious obstacles to
its successful Accomplishment. The South
had better be represented by delegates
selected with special care for their fitness,
who appreciate our position and the poll
tical situation than by thoughtless and
needless exponents, who might, and pro
badly would, take advantage of non-actlon
of the people to thruss themselves into the
Convention.
But there is time to reconcile all these
difficulties, and whatever of conflict there
may be in the views of the Southern peo-
ple. Beyond question Southern delegates
must not be conspicuous in framing the
platform or in nominating the candidates.
However acceptable the one or the other
might be, under other circumstances, if
any pretext exists to connect them With