The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-07-17


,ricts. and that the adjourned meeting
should, when 1t met, appoint the dele
gates at large and those for any district
for which delegates had not been elected
by the people.
Colonel JOHNSON thought that no def
mite action could he taken by the people
by the lst Of August, and suggested that
the meeting adjourn until Tomorrow for
the purpose of making nominations.
Mr.. p. X. GRATTAN thought it very
doubtful whether any delegate, as dele
gate. should be sent by Virginia to the
Convention. Virginia was still under mar
tial law; she had no representation III
Congress; her people had no hearing, and
hc was not willing that her delegates should
90 to great public meeting where they
would not be upon an equality with the
delegates from other States. He thought
that the South might also injure the party
She was anxious to support. We have no
part with them; can give no vote to sus-
tain them or their measures; have nothing
but moral influence. The opposition
would use every effort to destroy the Con-
sentative party or detract from its power;
and would they not, he said, be able to
make vast capital out Of the fact that
Southern "rebclS" were admitted to the
Convention. lie was willing to send on
a committee to sustain and encourage the
action of the Convention, but not to take
their seats in il. He said that the South
had reason to thank the President for
what he had done, but his protection had
been only partial. Martial law and the
Frccdmen's Bureau still remain, and are
not disapprovcd Of by the President; test
oaths continue, and the President does not
speak against them. Suppose that the
Philadelphia Convention approve OF these
as part of the Presidents policy, could
the Southern delegation approve of them
Rid Ms, he said, of martial law, and the
Frccdmcn's Bureau, and the test oath, and
he would trust to the people for the rest,
caring nothing for representation in any
convention.
If by any action Of the Convention the
Southern delegation were compelled to
leave their seats, they would have done
more harm than good, improving that they
, could not coincide with the Conservative
party, and could not join them until more
had been done for the South.
Mr.. DANIEL suggested that n committee
! be appointed 10y the Chair to prepare bust
ness for the adjourned meeting. He saw
that the President WAS in favor of the Con
vention, and he (Mr. DANIEL) thought it
our duty to strengthen his hands.
Mr.. Evans thought it better to adjourn
at once, and so give more time TO the
country at large TO express their opinions.
Mr.. ELLysoS said that he approved
very highly of the remarks of Mr.. NELSON,
and hoped that he would submit resolu-
ton based upon them. Four-ffths Of the
press and nearly the whole people were in
favor OF sending on delegates; arrange
mcnts had already been made in some of
the districts for clccting delegates, and by
the lst August the meeting would have the
power of acting in conformity with the e1-
pressed wishes Of the people.
Mr.. NELSON said that Virginia should be
represented, and by her wiscst, discrectest,
and best men. They were going to Ma
tional Convention Of the Conservative
party, whose object was TO rehabiitate the
States and to support the President, who,
in Washington, is our only friend. Our
delegates must go willingly and cheerfully {;
but upon their wisdom and discretion will
depend whether the result brings forth good
or evil to Virginia. 1t is the grand con-
test now between Conservatism and Radi-
calism, Constitutionality and Imperialism !;
and every man in Virginia must he pro-
foundry interested in the struggle. Popu-
lar action was needed to give influence and
sanction to the delegation, and the people
could be heard from by the lst proximo.
The gaze OF the country, he said, was fixed
upon this meeting, and it had in their eyes
grave Importance, which was not, per-
hapS, realized by some ofits members. We
should endorse the Convention and an
nounce our desire to participate in it; any
delay in this being prejudicial to our
friends and to ourselves. lie then offered
the following:
Resolved, That this meeting will assem-
1 I. xLn 1.t A x..hn
trusts larger number will be in attend
ance.
ReSolred, That the people of the several
districts be invited to appoint delegates to
the Philadelphia Convention, to meet in
August, 1866.
ReSolred, That at the adjourned meet
ing on the lst of August delegates to said
Philadelphia Convention and for the State
at large, and delegates for such districts as
may not then have been appointed by the
people, will be appointed by the adjourned
meeting.
Mr.. DANIEL then offered the following:
Approving the proposed Convention to
be held in Philadelphia on the 18th Au-
gust next, and believing that the people of
Virginia ought to be represented in that
Convention,
Resolved, That, with view to further
that object, committee of five be ap-
pointed by the Chair to prepare business
for an adjourned meeting Of this body on
Wednesday next at II o'clock, N.
The resolutions previously offered were
Withdrawn, and the DANIEL resolution was
adopted with but one dissenting voice.