Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1874-12-11
C0NyENTEeN


L is urged that we have achieved {
g orious triumph, and we must con
ii IN 1t before we make experiments
that the certain success of the party
two years hence is more important
than Tie constitutional reforms, even
II they are made.
Ga the other hand we contend that
If here were no better or more impor-
party in 1876, we believe that a settle
ment of the Convention question now
Is the surest way to victory tLep, indie
pendent of the result attending
| the vote on the ratification of To-
| new Constitution. If the Convention
question remains unsettled it must
necess iariiy form an issue in 1S76-an
issue upon which Democratic Con-
servatives will differ. We cannot
avoid it if we were disposed for the
Radicals will force it upon US. Judge
CantwelI, the Senator from New Han
over, believing it highly improbable
that Convention will he called, las
already introduced bill for that pur-
pose in order to commit his party to
the policy, that they may go before
the people in 1876 as the Reform
Party"
| But let the Radicals in their plat
form in the ae1t State canvass favor
or oppose Convention, We must ne-
cessariiy take position upon it. And
just here lies the danger to the
Democratic cConservatiye pa1sv.-
Can we afford to have this is
sue forced upon us at tLet time?
Will We be less divided then than
now? II we approve the call Of
Convention ending the Presidential
election, it is almost absolutely Ger
tain tnat We viii not have two thirds
of each House Of the General ASST m
by, The North Carolina election Will
o. t0oi N portant in National point Of
view to ue neglected, and the whole
power OF the Administration will be
brought 10 bear to effect the result
This will carry us over until 1878, AID
uatli We can eject our State ticket Ly
more than twice the majority given 10
Colonel Pool in the recent election we
can hardly hope to secure the Legis-
lature by a majority Of two-thirds in
beth Houses.
On the other hand, if We oppose
constitutional reform we are free to
confess that we would fear the result
of the election. If our party pulls
down the banner Of reform, and con-
fesses itself satisfied with the present
Constitution, and the Radical party,
having kicked out the carpet baggers,
proposes TO undo their work by which
North Carolina IS still held in yassal-
age, We should lose those who have
Left the Radical rarks under tie belief
that reform and economy would be
promoted Ly supporting CUR caIGi-
Ia order, tu-roI--- to to,e t1is
question Gu. OF the rext ro,itica' cam
piigL-t 10 settle it row while We lave
ths pow or, We believe that both pr:u-
cipie ;,5la policy demand thnt ACTON
shou,d be mad. SAFETY lies Only III Z
setti>ins 1T Of this question. Whe3l Al
unite III tie belief that the Consti,u-
ton sEJ1gld be amended in many im-
por:ant aud essential particulars,
thoa" "Lo Oppose upon grounds Of
expe i..nry merely should well sonsider
the Dangers Of delay. Ii tie time hss
nos Tow arrived for acton when VIII
K? Until We Lave two-thirds maj0riiy
IN both Houecs OF the Legislature
a2a.n? Aud who can tell when that vii
be? Tie present generation viii
hardly live 90 See IL. No; if wa let
slip tue present opportunity TO adopt
Constitution OF our own, wo must mike
up our minds to live under tic present
Candy Constitution the rest Of our
ives. We shall so down 10 or
graves, people gOue17lcd by
Constitution written III the blood Of our
brothers with Federal bayonets, aninot
a scJgorcrncd people, under laws en-
acted by ourselves. Our advancement
will be postponed ; our recuperation
delayed our independence never
achieved, and our debt will accumu
late until its liquidation viii be impos-
sihe. The free people Of North Caro-
lima cannot regain their prosperity,
their credit, or their honor under laws
so inimical to their weli-being, SO lily
suited to their wants, begotten IL fraud
and purtured by hostile power.