The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-11-08

in their stead Git is thought bessss"'y : -
the neat regular troops In the service Il
GOVERNOR AAAsS -. o.. -
who was appointed Pro isIona co. a universal ssss
fact,on 70 the peop, Of Florida since ne mas nea shs'
G"~ernor Marvin ia Northern man D. eirth, but has
vsT 81 FLORIDA MANY years and many lmpor,apt
political positions in the State dS Union MD
from the start opposed seeessson tcnasasy and upon
remained there till he Vas appointed Provisional
Governor py President Johnson Whether he is candl-
date for at re approaching election have not
learned
The S,,uth which by the fortunes Of war became 70
extnsvey and rapidly devastated Is with almost equal
randay being rebuilt ond restored 10 her former cs~d
lion Already in the principal towns and cios great
raro has been made towards the revival OF trade and
industrial pursuits Night and day the mechanics are at
work plying thor trades transforming backoaod ruins
into commodieus stores or dwellings
The out railroads wholly inadequate for the
transportation OF the large amount OF cotton awaiting
Shipment 10 tho Northcrn markets. and the depots are
filed 10 replelon with goods wares and merchandise
coming From the North TO repensh tho shelves which
have been empty for four years
Every is bent on making money. While those
who have sufficient capital engaged in cotton specu
ation the smaller FRY are buying small stocks OF GOODS
shoad The free labor system prove successful pro-
dict for the South season Of prosperity greater haa she
has ever knows in the past
MESSAGE GOVERNOR MARVIN;
MR. President AND GENTLEMEN THE Convection
The civil authorities Of this State having been overthrown
m the late civil war; you are convened as the delegates
of the people, vested with authority 10 amend or alter
the constitution or 70 make one, 80 as TO adapt
the fundamental law Of the State to the present social
condition Of the people You are also vested with
authority initiate measures for the re establishment
of State government and the restoration OF the political
relations Of the State with the general government
While would not recommend you TO adopt any meas
Inconsistent with the true honor and interest of the
slider calmly and seriously, what the true honor and
Of the State under the existing circumstances
require you do and TO do IL in spirit OF frankness
and sincerity becoming the representatives Of high
minded, loyal and honorable people;
By the operations and results OF the late war; slavery
cd TO exist in this State and the former slave has
become Free 1t is needless to inquire when, how, or
where this change in the status Of the negro effected
is sufficient know that the fact exists and rrevocabe
In the reestablishmen Of State government 1t is neces
sary recognize its existence and TO frame the cons
tuition accordingly In taking the amnesty OATH You
have all sworn TO support the freedom OF the former
slave 1t is expected, therefore, that you will aflrna
lively declare in the constitution that neither slavery
nor involuntary scrvude, except a punishment for
crime whereof the party shall have been daily convicted
shall hereafter exist in this state This clause has been
incorporated into the constitution of the States Of Mis-
sisspp Alabama and other Southern States which have
lately held conventions Slavery extinct, freedom
wives the public law Of this country knows but the
two conditions But would not leave the fact OF the
revival Of freedom 70 argument OF inference but would
plainly declare that all the inhabitants OF this State with
out distinction Of color. are free.
The emancipation Of the negro makes it necessary, in
my Judgment, to define, in the constitution, with as
much accuracy possible, what his civil rights and po
cal privileges shall be- It to be expected that
races nearly equal in numbers and unlike the
coored and white Of this country are, live in
and harmony together unless the rights of each
well defined by law and each be made to respect the
rights of the other The governing power is in the
hands of the white race but the colored is TO be
Free and the government is to be administered in such
manner not to infringe upon Its freedom 1t may be
difficult TO defne with any degree Of accuracy, wherein
freedom in society and under an organized government
But think it may be said, general terms
stituona law, in the enjoyment Of life in the acqui
ston by honest industry OF property, Z ts possession
nd 10 ne n @ 70 g
TO improve ones intellectual. moral and religious
condition. and to pursue happiness according to
ones own ideas Of happiness not interfering with the
exercise OF the right the part OF Others But
freedom does necessarily INCLUDE the idea OF part
cipation in the affairs Of government The privilege Of
voting elections the capacity to hold Office to sit
ures not essential rights OF freedom. They
privileges conferred or duties enoined upon certain per-
classes Of persons by the supreme power of the
State for and on account OF the public good, and the
persons or classes Of persons upon whom these priv
eges conferred these duties enjoned, may be in
creased or diminished, within reasonable limits without
mpairing rights Of freedom, according as that power
may determine Persons may be free without the capa
city to hold Office to sit jury, to vote at elections
The English people Free and yet onctenth OF the
adult male population are entitled oy law TO vote o. eiec
not entitled to vote or TO sit on ures until they have
been naturalized yet they Free women and children
are not entitled TO VOTE or hold Office, or sit on jury
yet they are flee.
The subject Of the elective franchise will necessarily
come before you for consideration and review. The
present constitution confers this privilege upon all male
white persons OF the age of twentyone years and up
wards who are citizens Of the United States and who
have resided in the State ono year and in the county six
months and on no others Coorcd persons excluded
from voting Whether you will add TO diminish the
number OF voters by changing the qualifications is
question for you to consider and decide In that de-
cson the people Of this State mainly interested but
not solely for persons qualified TO vote for members Of
the General Assembly Of the State will also be qualified
under the constitution OF the United States 70 vote for
Presidential electors and members OF the House OF
Representatives People Of other States are therefore,
interested though in much less degree in the decision
you may make.
Shall the elective franchise be conferred upon the col
ored race and upon what terms and qualifications
am not advised that the President has expressed his
views wishes on this subject and know no more OF
the views wishes Of the members Of Congress than
Is generally known: ! cannot think, however that, II
for the protection and security OF the
and property Of the freedmen the Congress will refuse
70 admit our Senators and Representatives their seats
because the freedmen allowed 70 the State
and other elections When the question Of their ad-
mission shall arise think the main inquiry viii be-
teed in the constitution protection and security
for their persons and their property II does not
Of the large would be promoted BY comforting
at the present time upon the freedmen the elective
Franchise Neither The y, white people nor the eOlSrsd
any considerable number Of the freedmen desire 70 pos
sess this privilege. What they DESIRE and what they
have right in my Judgment, 10 require, 10 that they
shall be guaranteed protection In the enjoyment Of all
eemsn and tha, hs proscon shall not be dependent
upon the varying and uncertain action Of the Legislature
prot and mot p p1ns p, ~ h; they
70 them this protection without their participation
In the business Of the government II they have the
same protection for their rights that the white has
they will have no ground 70 complain.
Great changes have been effected in the sentiments
and opinions Of men, North and South regard 70 the
institution Of slavery, during the last four years The
Congress- at Its last session, by joint resolution Of both
Aouscs, proposed TO the Legislatures Of the several
States, a. an amendment 70 the constitution Of the
United statee the following article:-Scction Neither
slavery nor involuntary scrvude except as punish
men for crime whereof the party shall have been duly
convicted shall exist within the United States or any
place subject 70 their Jurisdiction and Congress shall
have TO enforce this article by appropriate legsa
tom Upon the ratification Of this article by three
fourths OF the Legislatures OF the several States IL be-
comes part OF the constitution Of the United States
The newspapers inform us that II has already
been ratified by that number, less two. Upon
highly probable uhat IL will be ratified by the
requisite number Now the people OF this State do not
desire that their domestic affairs shall be the suect Of
discussion and Legislation In the halls Of Congress- But