Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1872-08-30

bic, that the next revolution may be III the
interest of virtue and honesty. Indeed,
we think we see signs of its coming. If it
shall come there will be some prominent
offices to fill in North Carolina. Let the
fate Of Barnard be a warning to his com
peers in North Carolina.
Election Erauds-CaldWelHs Seat 10
be Cont ested.
The unanimity with which the COnser-
vative Press of the State have demanded
an investigation into the frauds that were
perpetrated in the late election is truly re-
markable, in that it is tive spontaneous re-
lection of the wishes of the people and
not the result Of design or concerted action
on the part of the managers AMI leaders
of the party.
The cry for investigation that is now
heard in every precinct i'll the State comes
emphaticaly from the people, and it is for
this reason that we have such confidence
in it's power for good in North Carolina
The great work of reforming and purify
ing the ballot box originated spontaneous
ly in the honest hearts of the people of
| North Carolina.
"Contest the election'' were the words
in which, as they learned what frauds had
been practiced, the indignant feelings of
honest voters found utterance i'll all parts
! Of the State.
The Radical Press of the State are, how
ever, very decided in their denunciation Of
! our purpose to contest the election, and
this, too, Notwithstanding we expressly
state that we desire all frauds to be inves-
tigated, no matter by whom they were
committed Notwithstanding we declare
that if it appears that Caldwell was hon
estly and legally elected he must and shall
take his seat as Governor of North Caro-
lima, and Notwithstanding that the charac-
ter of the gentlemen composing Majority
of the Legislature gives ample assurance
that any investigation they may enter into
will be conducted with fairness, faithful
ness and ability.
The Raleigh Era, indeed, goes so far as
to say, eve advise Governor Caldwell to
resist the Legislature if that body declares
MerrlmOn elected and attempts to wrest
the State Government from Governor Cald-
well and his brethren of the Republican
Stale ticket We do not
believe that there is Republican III the
State who would not rally to the support
of Governor Caldwell under such circum-
! stances"
This sort of talk shows plainly
that the Radical Party is afraid to go be-
fore the Legislature and make clean
breast of the manner in which their votes
were obtained. Our party has no such
fear. We demand an investigation into
! all frauds regardless of the men or party
by whom they were committed. 1t is, to
say the least of it, a bad sign forts honesty
when party is unwilling to have the
broadest daylight thrown upon all its deal
ings. If the votes Caldwell claims to have
received were actually, honestly, legally
voted why does he desire to prevent the
fact from being looked into by the Legisla-
ture? Independent of the positive proof
we have, this fact alone is enough to ex-
cite suspicion. .ay .......
The question is one of such vital inn
portance to the people of North Carolina
that we make no apology for filling up olr
editorial columns this morning with ex-
tracts showing the opinions of the Esress
! throughout the State in regard to the
matter. ..- .-.i-s..
[From the Rocky Mount M1L}
| Almost every Conservative paper in the
! State demands that the election should be
! haS al
should be exposed, which can only be done
by a thorough investigation Of the whole
matter. 1t is time that the perpetrators
of corrrption should be properly punished.
[From the Weldon News ..,.. .,
From reports received from all portions
| Of The State we have evidence OF the most
! gIariug frauds, frauds that wOtildput less
| scrupulous foe than Radicallsm to the blush,
| and to think that we, who claim to be free
men, will submit to it would be like asking
the mother to sit quietly by and see the
| dogs steal the last mOrsel of her baby's
! food without reaching out to kick it, or to
| influence the son to stand alOOf ami Wit
ness the faying alive of his aged and
honOred mother without lifting hand TO
resent the indignity. No, 1t IS unnatural,
it is unmanlike, and though depressed, I'M
pOverished, insulted and abused as we
have been, we cannot justly claim ale
glance to our State if We sit still and see
our rights and liberties as citizens sratcfed
from us, by such unfair means, and rot
seek TO prevent it.
Judge MerrimOn owes it to his God, his
country, himself and the people who have
hOnored him, to contest Caldwell's seat.
[From the Kinston Gazette.l $751;. ....
CONTEST.
The following, from the Weldon NeiCs,
meets with our unqualified endorsement,
and we earnestly hope that our hOnored
candidate will heed the demand of his con-
stituents in this matter and contest the
election OF Caldwell:
''Judge Merrimon owes it to his God,
his county, himself and the people Who
have honOred him, to contest Caldwelrs
4 seat. Firmly believing, aye, knowing, we
might say, that Merrimon received ma