Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-08-25

to be and we ought to be certain OF this
fact
| Yet even this would not be altogether
satisfactory. mere party victory is not
what we want-not what the country
requires although it needs that bad
enough-bad enough. We want to see
change in the administration Of the gov
eminent, resulting from a disgust, nay,
well-gronnded fear of the dangerous usur-
patton of powers on the part OF the Fed
eral government, and the imperial tenden-
cies of the present administration. We
feel that in a popular uprising and con-
domination of these alarming evils only is
there safety for public liberty.
Yet if we should judge by the tone and
spirit of the Democratic press Of the pop
ular feeling in many sections of the coun-
try, especially in the S outh, we are not
prepared to say that there is a real,
solid appreciation of the troubles and
dangers which threaten the liberty of the
citizen and the stability of the Govern
ment. Surely if they comprehended the
importance of the situation. these Editors
would not continue to urge war upon each
other and upon the members of their
party over dead issues or against honor
able sympathies. When We look at the
real issues before the country, the partisans
of these factions seem to be shiverlng
their tiny lances against " airy nothlngs.
Editors frequently denounce political
" Bourbons " who have not the intelli-
o.oooo - ao1Ix, thar m okophor and wildly
advocate the "New Departure without
an intelligent comprehension of what the
expression implies. Some, in their puerile
zeal to exculpate themselves from pre-
sumed mistakes in local elections, copy
editorially, SO unfortunately from their
exchanges, and grope about SO wildly in
their feeble efforts to strike something or
somebody, that they verge so closely on
the boundary OF political division that it is
difficult to difine where Democracy ends
and Liberal Republicanism begins.
Others, again, indite long homilies upon
States rights and Constitutional amend
ments, as if personal liberty. local self
government and the equality of the State
we're not in actual continued jeopardy
Indeed, these two classes Of Editors are so
eager in their pursuit of political shadows
that they do not heed the approaching
storm which will soon shower upon our
heads the collected wrath of years OF par
tisan corruption aud lawless power. They
battle manfully against these ridiculous
tempests in tea-pots. They heed not nor
comprehend the fury of the hurricane
which is about to engulf the ship of State.
What we want is unity-unity arising
! from common interests and from common
dangers. We cannot expect Northern
Democrats to sympathize with US in all
our views of the past. Yet, on the other
hand, we should demand that our feelings
and honorable pride should be respected.
! There are common grounds upon which
all patriots, North and South, can stand.
The dangers which threaten the people of
the South threaten those of the North as
we'll. When Cong ess. disregardful OF the
rights of the citizen and the law of the
land. enacts dangerous military force bills
and the President enforces them with a
tyrant's zeal; when Senators, in the conf
dence of the Administration, openly de-
clare that "the greatest idea of the Repub-
lcan party was National Unity
abandon that and we are no longer a
nation, but simply an aggregation of indie
pendent States - when the army Of the
United States is used to influence cleo
tions and to manipulate political oonven-
tions, it is high time for thoughtful men
to reconcile trifing differences of opinion
in regard to matters of party policy and
questions of little importance-involvin 6
sympathies and p-ejudices rather than
vital principles.
We have no strength to fritter away in
silly contest among ourselves. Rather
let us be busy furnishing our arms for the
real struggle with our enemies and those
who cannot restrain their ardor until the
line of battle is formed and the advance
sounded, at least let them aim their blows
at the opposing lines. and not endanger
our success by fire III the rear. There is
a Departure" which all can endorse and
all will work for, and that is the depart
ure of the Radical party from power.
This is real live, tangible issue. It is
one which invites the cooperation OF all
good citizens, and to which all should
turn their attention. It is as absurd, on
the one hand, to oppose accomplished
facts, as it is. on the other, to attack deep
seated and honorable prejudices. Both
alike destroy the unity and integrity of
the party. We weaken ourselves by in
ternal discussions, whereby We are less
prepared to take advantage of the divis-
ions among our enemies.
We propose, therefore, that these bick-
erings shall cease. Those editors who
have the good sense to appreciate the
dangers which their continuance will in
vite should be sufficiently forewarned.
The others should be hushed by not being
noticed. The barkings of ours often involve
the mastiffs in trouble. We do not pro-
pose to be cheated out of our victory by
the imprudencs OF some or the folly of
others. Live issues of national impor