Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1872-11-08
The presidential Election.

The most remarkable Presidential cleo
ton in the history Of the country has just
closed. 1t was without precedent in the
character and political relations Of the
candidates, and III the character and pO
liticaI relations Of their supporters, and
almost without precedent in its overwhel
ming result. As Il political contest it is
without material significance, but in a sec
tOnal aspect il presents the most anoma-
lous and wonderful features.
judged i,y The returns alone, it shows
Us striking a sectional contest as that be
tween LINCOLN and BRECKENRIDGE, in
1860; but how vastly different i'll its sig
IifeluCe and meaning.
Then, the South, strong in its mainte
nance of rights, Jealous Of encroachments
upon its constitutional prerogatives, proud
Of its prestige in The Government, put
forth platform and supported candidates
representing these feelings. A defeat at the
poll was followed by All appeal to arms.
Now, defeated i'll battle, its ignorant la
borers transformed by wonderful legisla-
tive lrgordcmain into lawmakers and
rulers its constitutions Ovcrrided, its peO-
He hcc@arcd, its. territory overrun with
merciess Federal tax-coilectOrs, spies and
tnforIners, its citizens the prey of corrupt
lnatslals and judges, the South has only
asked for peace and reconciliation. At the
expense If It's pride and prejudice, and at
The sacrifice Of much of lis principles, it
has voted with wonderful unanimity for
the foremost ahOllionst i'll the United
States, who has done more than all other
living men to bring about oar defeat and
the cutrauchsement Of the Slave. And
but for the united opposition Of these
newly created citizens, the Voice of the
South would have been unbrOken.
The effects on the country Of this cleo
ton aIe to be tried. The lesson to the
South cannot be misunderstood. The
hatred Of the Northern masses, and the
preiudces Of the Southern negroes, for
the white people Of the South, bring de-
feat upon any and every political associa-
ton they may form. Their silence is held
up as the sullenness Of dsloyalty-their
active cooperation is denounced as the
renewal of rebellion. Allied with the
Northern Democracy their efforts are only
sources of weakness. Uniting with the
Liberal Republicans, under the banner OF
their most pronounced leader, and support
ed by much of the character and brains OF
that party, and under leaders, too, who
had Organized and built up the Republi,
can party, the sympathies and support Of
the Southern whites are followed by 4 de
feat almost without parallel.
1t is high time that we should compre
bend its meaning.
We skall accept the situ alton just as We
believe the Northern people intend that we
shall. Complying with all laws, howevel
harsh and improbable, rejoicing in every
material advancement, we shall neverthe
less protest in the future, as we have in The
past, against every usu1patiOn and encroach
ment upon the rights Of the people, whethe
they come from the edict of P President
from the vengeance of Congress- or iron
the corruptions Of judge.
Our immediate people have poltica
work enough before them to reform thei
own State government, and re-establisl
their State credit. Let rs address our
selves to that work with the affection O
sons and the enthusiasm, at least, whicl
comes from Self-iutereSt.