Reconstruction Research

I learned about the North Carolina Conventions from the Willmington Journal in 1868. The specific article I looked at described how there were many "conventions" before 1868. These were lead by the people, the article described as, "names that North Carolina, at least, will not willingly let die." The article talks about how the state must carry on the legacy of these "important" people and, "keep a watchful eye upon old landmarks." The article describes this time in history as "madness that rules the hour."  There is a concern about the possible removal of past vestige of the government that our fathers have set in place. This Author describes the 1868 convention as "reckless."  The Author goes on and tells about how the conventions have evolved from only white men allowed in the conventions to 1868, where white men, negroes, foreigners, and citizens sit together without question. He expresses a great concern in what could possibly occur if negros continue to have freedom. He is disturbed by the idea that negros could positionally have command over a white man. He believes that this pattern is violating what had been set by our founding fathers and is "destroying every safeguard for life, liberty, and property. I was not very surprised to see the negative view towards equality towards African Americans, during that time. The Conservatives were warning the Radicals of their decisions. Reading this article gave me a good perspective on how people felt about issues like "negro equality." Reading the article was different from reading a textbook in that it was easier for me to empathize with the time and how people felt during that time in history.