Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1874-09-11
For the journal.
The Convention Question.

The duty of the public press is tc
lead and not to follow. To know
what Is truth, to pursue fearlessly the
course of:right, and to advocate boldly
those measures which best contribute
to the public good, even in the face of
| opposition and denurciation, are
among its duties and responsibilities.
But the time-serving policyof SO many
of our newspapers, whose editors, in
stead of seeking to educate, elevate
and lead the public mind, pander to
its whims and ignorances, fears and
preiudices, IS a departure from that
| independence, duty, and usefulness
which true patriotism imposes upon
every public journalist.
The enviable distictiOn which the
Wilmington JOURNAL has won for
coming up to its duty in these respects
explains the great usefulness it has at
tanned, and how it is that is SO Justly
receives of late so many honors and
enconiums for its couase and ability
on the public questions of the day
Its bold and fearless course in the re-
cent campaign, its sledge hammer ar
guments and overwhelming utter
ances against the common enemy,
not only received high compii-
ments all over our beloved State.
but has won for it unfadine Iaurels
of renown in other States also.
But the very distinction won in this
noble work of patriotism but serves,
as is always the case, to arouse feelings
and efforts antagOnlstic to its influence.
The above remarks arc suggested
from an observation of the objections
tn tho of 70
important question of a State Conven-
ton to alter our Constitution. It
plunges at once, and with a manly
spirit, as the champion and exponent
OF the people, into this reform meas
'lre, and draws its sword for the battle.
Already the people are beginning to
think and examine, and the moro fhey
do so, the more general and stronger
are they coming to its support. Agi-
tation VIII strengthen it as it always
does every desirable innovation and
useful reform. Not single objection
has yet been published against calling
a convention which can stand the
touchstone of truth, reason and logic.
Our PROSTATE condition demands it.
The sentiments, as well as wants of all
classes and conditions call aloud for
change III our organic laws.
ODr present Constitution is not the
work CT true North Carolinias, but is
OF foreign origin and growth, and
under its operations our condition has
been growing worse. We have not
time to wait and live in poverty under
this spawn of home scallawags and
Northern adventurers. 1t was framed
under the reigning influence of mill
tary power, with the swords and bayo-
nets of the Uunited States Army in our
midst as ii terror to our PROSTATE peo-
pie. These people, who had no heart
to vote for Convention in those davs
while thiis under the thraldom of this
grinding military despotism, arc now
becoming free, and they long for an
opportunity to make for themselves a
Constitution in place of the abomina-
bic one now governing US. Now is the
time to strike for it, in spite of the
cob-Web sophistries and falIacious
arguments of the editors and politi-
clans who oppose it. Timid men
rarely favor innovations or advocate
reform. Bold, manly spirits are those
who have TO do this sort of work, and
they must expect more abuse than |
praise. Still, those who assume that |
the people of North Carolina are not
ripe for d Convention reckon without
their hosts. They do not know of
what material our people are made.
CATo.