Year: 1868

Der will remove every possibility of war and
bloodshed But more than this is necessary
to rebuild the fortunes of these shattered
States and to restore prosperity to the peo-
pie. There must be radical change in
public sentiment. After Gen. Grant's-elec-
ton, the situation must be accepted heartily
and in good faith. All must go to work
recognizing the new order of things as per
manent and abiding. Prejudice and passion
must subside. Reason must again rule. The
intense bitterness which now exists must dis
appear All factious opposition intended
merely to embarrass the State Government
must cease. All must see to putting the
new Constitution of North Carolina into
practical operation All personal animosi-
ties, originating in political differences, must
be put aside. While social relations must
always remain sacred, there must be no
more vain boasting of possessing all the in
telligence and virtue of the State. The
press and the stump must cease to be toun-
tains of blackguardism and abuse and writers
and speakers must discuss great national
and State questions upon their merits. In
one word, better feeling must prevail among
our people if we are ever again to be pros
porous and happy.


The election of Gen. Grant is universally
conceded. Contrary to general expectation,
~,
the late one in ferceness. Already it is lag
ging. On our side, it is from confidence
of success, and on the other from sheer de-
spondency. The people are sick to death
of agitation. Above all things they desire
peace-a peace which will be a real one and
lasting one.


1t rests with the opposition to say whether
we shall have this peace or not. If they will
observe the advice above indicated, we may
look for restoration of harmony among the
people and for all its consequent blessings.
We can safely appeal to the history of the
past eight years to prove that we are the
party of peace We can safely defy the op-
position to point to single instance where
we have attempted persecution, oppression
or intimidation We have invariably APP
pealed to the understanding and judgment
of men, and have not endeavOred to stir up
their evil passions. Our weapons in the con-
test have been reason and persuasion. We
knew that we had long cherished prejudices
to deal with We knew how difficult it was
to eradicate the modes of thought running
through so many generations. But we have
met these prejudices and overcome them.
North Carolina has fully and of her own
accord, accepted the Congressional plan of
reconstruction.


Will the opposition listen to reason? Will
they take into consideration the suffering
condition of our people and put a stop to
their eternal agitation? The great National
Republican party has control of the State
government and will soon have the President
of the United States as it already has the
Congress What then can be the meaning
of this turmoil and confusion? Can any
thing be effected by this opposition9 Ger
tainly not Why then is it kept up? There
is only one explanation. There are few
ambitious, discontented and restless indi-
viduals whose political day is gone forever.
Their only hope is in continued i'll feeling
and discord. They care nothing for the in
terest of the great mass of the people. No
more than they did in 1861, when they
plunged us into the most fearful of wars to
crafty their love of personal aggrandize-
ment. Will the Conservative masses of our
people still heed them or will they listen to
the wise counsels of such men as Pearson
and Boyden?


Upon the Conservative masses of North
Carolina it depends, whether the era of po-
litical peace which will be inaugurated by
the election of Gen. Grant, will bring with
it peace in the State, peace in the neighbor-
hood, peace in the Church and peace in all
the relations of life.