Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1874-06-05
HON. J. NJ LEACH.

HON. }. M. LEACH.
This gentleman has addressed STIR
ring letter to his constituents of the
Fifth Congressional District, declin-
ing to become a candidate for re-elec-
ton, and expressing his determination
to retire from public life, alter twenty
five years of active and honorable SER
vice.
In conclusion, he speaks thus of the
future of North Carolina
A few words as to the future of my
district and the State and I will close.
I predict the election of the nomi nee
in my place by a rousing majority,
although I know not into whose hands
the banner will be placed, but doubt
less into true and trusty hands; and
support him with voice and vote.
undertake to assign, that Judge Settle
for it, he is t,ro housand-certainly
fifteen hundrcd-votes stronger than
any man the Republicans will nomi-
nate; and while don't think he could
carry the district since the oppressive
and odious legislation of his party
here, during the present session, I feel
quite sure any other man is destined
to Waterloo defeat.
In my opinion, North Carolina will
never more, while the Government
lasts. have another Republican Gov
ernor or Legislature, nor will any
other Southern State, except down
trodden South Carolina, and perhaps
sippi.
L will take leave to give two OF
three among many reasons for this
opinion. The continued misrule, cor
ruption and extravaganza of this party
(whose mission and principles ended
with the restoration of the Union and
the abolition of slavery,) aud the per
sistent oppression of the South, has SO
firmly taken hold of the public mind
of both parties, that its power cannot
be shaken off, and therefore the honest
thinking men of the Republican party,
who have been SO long oppressed by
unjust and wicked legislation, and
cheated by false promises, are deter
mined to change their rulers.
Added to this, that while, after
months of hard struggle, the trading,
laboring, and agricultural millions of
the country, were at last relieved of
their financial wants and embarrass-
ments only to the pitiful amount of
fortyfour millions of dollars of expan-
sion of the currency, even TINS act of
Congress, falling so far below public
necessity and expectation, and the ac-
tual wants OF the suffering South and
West, was mercilessly vetoed by Presi-
dent Grant, under the dextrous man
agement and moulding pressure of
bon3hoiders, bankers and vast monied
monorolies; and yet, a thousand times
worse still, the people are told in this
veto message that the currency must
not be expanded but contracted, SO as
to- return at an early day to specie
payments; and to do this, tho to1hne,
millions must be taxed still higher
and thus the rights and interests of
those sections are insulted and trifel
with.
And again: 1 am quite sure the in
famous new civil rights bill-the last
pound that breaks the camers back -
will be passed during the present ses-
sion, every section of which is a gross
violation of the Constitution: and this.
mark my prediction, will be an evil
day to the Republican party and
Republican success, eyer afterwards
in the South. 1t will certainly
pass the Senate, and also the House.
unless STAYED off by parliamentary tao
tics. This bill is a most gross and
wanton insult to the South, for it is
framed and intended to enforce. if
possible, social equality; and this is
what it means; and although it will
work greater detriment to the black
than to the white man, yet it will fall
with a crushing, deadly blow on the
poor, honest laboring white man es
pecially; while it will be execrated by
every honest man of both parties and
races, always excepting the utterly I'M
scrupulons politicians throughout the
State. It's tendency, if not its direct
effect, is to strike down and DESTROY
the common school system of eduaa.
ton Of both races to say nothing of
Colleges, Hotels, Cemeteries, together
with other incalculabIe mischiefs,
These are some of my reason for tho
opinion that Republican misrule is
destined soon to end in North Carolina
and in the So,lth generally.
North Carolina-Heaven bless he,
the home of brave men and fair
women. has, thank God past history
that cannot be taken from her. while
her sSil holds the sacred ashes of her
great and glorious dead AS one of
her humble but loving sons, I ardentlv
nope and trust, that all the good and
true men within her borders will unite
with PATRIOTIC endeayor and hearty
Will to rebuild Der sheltered fortues;
resolving that she shall be s'redee med,
and disenthralled," ana
That they Will proudly wheel the old
commonwealth into ranks among her
more prosperous sisters, and start
ner onward and upward in a bright
career OF prosperity and greatness.
J. NJ. LEACH.