Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-08-21

its full share Legislation without represen-
ia tion is au anomaly in our political systen,.-
Under any otherEto5m of government it would
be but another name for usurpation and mis-
rule.
Gentlemen, | trust that in our delibera,
tipns here We Shall contine ourselves to one
main purpose 1-that of redressing the wrong
to which 1 haye referred. There is much. in
the administrator of the government which
needs amendment Some things need to be.
done, and others 10 be undone. There are
commercial and financial reforms which are
indispensable toahe public welfare. But we
shall not have tEe power7to carry out these
until we change the political complexion of,
Congress. lApPlause.l This should be our.
first and our iediate aim Applause
ft is IN the cong gtesslonat districts that the n.
tai contest is to take place. The control Of
ono body will enable US to prevent partial and
unjust and pernicious legislation The con-
troll of both houses. with the power to intro
duce and carry out salutary reforms to bring
the government back, in the language of JEFF
ferson, ''to the republican track" will. come
later, Capplause,] by wise, harmonious, and
judicious action on our part and the part of
those we represent
That period need not be long DELAYED. I
believe that public opinion is ripe, and that
it is only necessary to present to the people
clearly tho ISSUES between us aud the other
party which controls the action of Congress
And, gentlemen, is not the object for which
we are cOntending consummation worthy of
our highest and cur most devoted efforts p
[Appause.] To bring back the republic,
purified aud strengthened by the fiery ordeal
through which it has passed, to its ancient
prosperity and power. To present to the
world an example worthy of imitation-no
utopian vision of good government--but the
grand old reality Of better times, bringing up
the memory Of our fathers and the recolIec>
ton of the past, with the past and the future
inseperably entwine6-one country one flag,
one Union OF equal States. [Long. continued
applause.
COMMITTEES.
On motion of Gen j. B. Stcadman, of
Ohio, committee of thirteen was appointed
by the chair as committee on credentials
On motion of Montgomery Blair, of Md i,
committee Of one from each State and Ter
ritory was appointed by the chair to report
othcers for the permanent organization of the
convention,
OF the committee on organization, Hon.
Thos. S. Flournoy, of Virginia, is the chair
man.
Letters were received by the President of
the convention from Messrs Vallundingham
and Fernando Wood, declining seats as dele
gates in the convention.
LETTER FROM NON. R. c. WINTHROP.
Hon Robert c. Winthrop, of Massachu
setts, formerly Speaker of the United States
House OF Representatives, when the whig
party was in power, has written letter to
say that he will be unable to attend the Phil
adelphia Convention. lie endorses the move
meht heartily, aud he hopes that it will be
charaetefized by spirit of 1orbearance and
moderation, Notwithstanding the insulting
and proscriptive tone in which the convention
has been assailed by many of the oppo.
nents of the President Of the United States"
MIR. Winthrop concurs with Judge Curtis in
considering the Southern States to be as
rightiully now in the Union as before the re-
oelilon, and that they should be as effectuaIy
So Mr.. Winthrop adds.
IL Is vain to offer test oaths to others if we
1all to fulfill our own oaths The necessities
OF state OF war may be an excuse for many
irregularities. both Legislative and executive;
but now that, by the blessing of God, state
OF peace has been restored to US, we'are en-
titled to the Constitution and the Union in
all their Legitimate authority aud extent
Nothing less than the whole constitution and
the whole Union ought to satisfy us. For
one, should despair of the restoration Of law
and order IN ten Southern States, and even
OF the maintenance of our own national cred
1t, IT there should fail to be exhibited at
w ashlnSton something of that scrupulous ad-
herence to the constitution ard the laws
which characterized the earlier DAYS of the
republic. Nor could anything. in my juds-
ment, be OF more influence upon the future
career ot our country than that Congress
should even seem to be holding in abeyance
any provisions of the constitution until thew
shall have been changed. under duress, in or
der to suit the opinions or secure the inter
ests of predominant party. Against such
a course of proceeding, l trust the convention
at Philadelphia will put forth seasonable
and ettectlve protest.
VIEWS OF GOV. ORR, OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
Governor Orr, of South Carolina. addressed
meeting OF the conservative democrats at
the National Guards Hall, in PHILADELPHIA.
'on Monday night He said Ten wears aco
stood before you with the lamented DOUG
las, when we then gave to you our opinions
OF the democratic party. [ would to God
that he again stood before you. Since then
great changes have occurred; gulf has
sprung up. but that gulf has been. closed, and
we have come here to form a union between
the conservative men of the North and of the
South. l will merely glance at few points
to show you that the professions made by the
people OF the South since they have laid
down their arms are honest and whole. souled.
he war began on the part of the South
through the people believing they had the
right to secede. You did not agree to that.
War resulted. The South was conquered,
and the Interpretation you gave to the Con
stitution has been established firmly as the
legal one. That decision was pronounced ON
the field of battle by the highest tribunal. and
the decree is incontrovertiBle. the nationals
ity of our Government has been established.
The South has surrendered the principles she