Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1876-03-31
SENATOR RANNOM.

The consciousness of the weakness
of the managers of the Radical party
is more and more apparent at every
step they take to screen themselves
and their party from the damning
effects of the exposures which have
been made of the immense mass of
corruption which exists in their ranks.
Their attempts to shield their criminals
from the scorn aud just indignation OF
an outraged country, but exposes more
prominently to view their infamy and
disgrace. In the language of John
Randolph they "shlne and stink, and
stink and shine, like rotten mack erel
by moon light" And whilst they feel
themselves sinking in sea Of infamy
of their own creation, they continually
stretch out their hands to drag down
with them to the abodes of diFgrace
and punishment the names of some of
the patriots whose love Of justice and
honesty is bringing On the day of retri-
button. We have scarcely deemed it
worth while to mention even some of
their calumnious allegations. Espe-
cialIy was this true as to the whisper
ings of malice which endeavored to
breathe suspicion on the fair name OF
the distinguished Senator from North
Carolina-Senator Ransom. The lie
CATION against this name, and full
refutation of the allegation, are so well
stated by our esteemed contemporary
the Norfolk Landmark, for which we
thank that paper in the name of the
people of North Carolina, that we
adopt thu Landmarks vindication:
The strategy of the Radicals to pro-
tect themselves against the assaults of
the Democrats is to assail leading men
of our party without regard to truth
or justice, but simply for the purpose
of Withdrawing attention from their
own leaders now on trial before the
bar of public opinion. To this end
they fight Chinese fashion and manu-
facture ''stink-pots, which they
fling right and left with the
other distinguished men thus assailed
they have singled out General Ran
som of North Carolina, but more I'M
happy selection for their purpose
could not have been made. That
Senator is indeed worthy of the seat be
occupies, and would have adorned il
in the days when Clay, Calhoun and
Webster contended in debate. AS
soldier he was enterpri-ing and valiant;
as statesman, his Salisbury speech
shows him to be possessed of broad
and catholic views; and as q gentle
man, he is above reproach. The
charge brought against him is one
which, when investigated, does him
honor In brief, it seems that as the
successor of Vance, who was struck
down by Radical hate, he conceived til,
noble idea of conveying to that gentle
man the money to which he was
morally entitled as a Senator cleo:
from Carolina, and after full debate
among common friends, Vance consent
ed to receive part of the sum, all of
which Ransom considered him to be
entitled to. It is in vain for partisan
casuists to attempt to make this trans
action anything but an honor to Gen
eral Ransom, and this will be the YER
dict of the people. The assault upon
him, like rude blow on a shield of
gold, has only served to leave mark
of brightness on its surface, and to re-
veal the sterling value of the metal.
For our own part, the transaction has
elevated him still further in our esteem,
and we are proud to call him our COM
patriot.