Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1865-11-09
FROM FLORIDA.
The Reconstruction nGOnyention---SOInd
Message OF Governor Naryin-FuiI Pro.
tectIGn for the Person and Property of
tI.n

The correspondent OF the n. Y Herald, writing
from Tallahassee, Fla; on the 25th ult.,, says:
The members of the Convention called by Governor
Marvin were elected on the 10Th instant, and assem-
bled in the House of Representatives i'll this city to-
day was not in the State at the time of the cleo
ton, and am not thoroughly acquainted with the
complexion Of the canvass, but reliably informed
that the issue between the opposing candidates
square and fair on the question whether the freedmen
should be admitted TO courts witnesses, denied
that right and privilege, well Others In every
instance the friends Of the negro were defeated.
The election as whole. was a formal declaration
that the colored people of the State shall be made
civil and political outcass; 1t is gratifying to know
commenting on this result, thinks, and boldly says
too, that this age and this country cannot be dis
graced by the success of such scheme The same
paper opposes universal suffrage In the conclusion
of the article quoted from above 1t adds
1T is evident that Congress will not require the
South to confer upon the freedmen the right of suf
fragc as condition of recognition but the States
which drive them out of court refuse to count them
as part of the population, make them outeasts polit
icay, cannot claim that they present to that body
republican form of government"
The selection made by the people of the State of
Florida of delegates to the Convention has in the
main been a very iudicious one.
They are, with few exceptions, men of influence
and ability Old politicians have been laid on the
shelf, and the solid, sensable thinking men selected
There is only one member of this Convention who
was member of tho Secession Convention OF ls6l;
Quite number of the delegates belong to the legal
profession. but most planters while few are ex-
officers of the Confederate army.
the most prominent members of the Convention. lie
is lawyer by profession, and stands high as mem
Der of the Florida bar Rrrng the Ta When tne
his musket and went into the trenches in defence OF
his State Although beyond the age required by law
he considered his duty do all In his power for the
cause he deemed just and is said to have fought with
valor He was taken prisoner and connned for some
months S At t. Em en- while in Se hands Of the fed
eral army and of the kindness shown him by all the
officers with whom he came in contact lie has seen
otaAlS Snny TyIn Tn In nN-nr
thing in his power to restore harmony between the
two sections. -, .
Among the other prominent men Of the Convention
are G. T. Maxwell, Thomas Baltzell and David ?.
Hogue, of Leon county; Judge George *. Walker. r.
H. NJ. Davidson and Arthur F9rman, OF Gadsden
county, and Messrs. james I Maybee, 5. l.. Burritt
C. T. Overstreet Thomas T. Long, James A. Virgins.
Samuel Spencer. Benz. D. Wright and James NJ
Landrum: =
Bird and W. Wash. Scott. Col Bird has been twice
wounded and prisoner, and Col. Scott lost an arm
On the third ballot Mr., E, D. Tracy, of Nassau
county. was elected permanent President OF the Con-
yenti9n and Immediately took the char; Inc Li de- e.
Justice of the State, and d. b. Wright.
The President elect has never occupied any very
prominent positions, either IN national or state at
fairs He has represented his county on several oc-
casions in the Legislature and has been the presid-
ing officer OF the State Senate.
Governor William Marvin, who was appointed
Provisional Governor of the State by President John
son. have given universal satisfaction to the
position.
Governor Marvin is Northern man by birth, but
has lived in Florida many years, and held many i'm
portant political positions in the State. He was a
Union man from the start opposed secession strenu
ousy and upon the breaking out OF the war removed
to the North and remained there till he ap-
pointed Provisional Governor by President Johnson.
Whether he is candidate for Governor at tho ap-
preaching election have not learned.
THE MESSAGE.
| The message of Provisional Governor Marvin Is a
document of much apparent earnestness, and meets
all the questions at issue with directness and candor
| The Governor does not think it would be wise at
present to confer the privilege of voting ON the ne
groes and believes Congress will not demand this
concession on the part Of the States lately in revolt
as an indispensable preliminary to the admission Of
their representatives but he urges upon the Conven
| ton as matter of the planest justice well
wisdom that laws for the most complete protection o.
of the reedmens civil rights be passed. and that then
| testimony be received in the courts. Without these
he says the colored people will haye no safeguard;
against the mpositions of cruel dishonest employ
ers and with them he thinks this emanelpated people
| will be generally contented, industrious and en-
| terprising even in the absence OF the exercise
| of the ballot He also recommends that the Con
| vention declare the secession ordinance not re
pealed but null and void. and advocates the adoption
by the Legislature of the amendment to the Natona
Constitution forever prohibiting slavery throughou
| the country