Baton Rouge tri-weekly gazette & comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1865-18??, 1866-07-26
The Philadelphia Convention.

Of the proposed Philadelphia Con
vention. 1t has been ascertaineC
that out of some 1877 papers pub
lished in the North and West, which
have taken sides pro and con, in the
movement, 81 are in favor of it. "A
large preponderance of the Southern
press is also enlisted in support Of it
The great object Of reconciliation
sought to be attained by the movers
of this national measure induces
many to give in their adhesion to it,
who otherwise would hesitate in
doing so on account of the natural
repugnance entertained by them,
these times, to political affiliations Of
any sort, more particularly to such
affiliations as would bring them in
familiar contact with certain politi-
clans in the various sections in
whose moral and political integrity
they do not have the most implicit
confidence. For the sake of expert
ment There seeming to be no other
feasible alternative left, whereby
"the greatest good of the greatest
number" may be promoted), the con-
sentative masses of the people are
willing to see the Convention scheme
practically tested. We confess to
no very strong faith in it as a quick
working panacea for Southern ills,
but believe it will have a beneficial
effect in helping to relieve the South
from her present anomalous condi-
ton at home and before the world,
and eventually in restoring her to a
full possession of her rights under
the Constitution.
1t is the general feeling of the
public, says the New York World,
that the present condition of things
is not permanent, cannot be perma
nent, ought not to be permanent
and Congress having failed to carry
the country forward single step
towards the settlement which ought
to have followed the war, the people
have become anxious and impatient,
and are eagerly looking about for
some means of escape from a condi-
ton of things which is neither peace
nor war. 1t is because the call for
the Philadelphia Convention falls
upon this impatient and discontinued
mood of the public mind, that so
many turn to it with feeling Of
hope.
The main use of the Convention,
as we estimate it, will consist in the
opportunity it will afford to the
South to make known its temper
and wishes through delegates in
whom it has confidence and to re-
ceive counsel from its friends 10 the
North as to what it had better do or
forbear, under circumstances. A
purely Southern Convention, would,
at any time during the last six
have had salutary effect. |
If dignity, moderation, and weight of
character had been combined in it, a |
comparison of views and a joint ap-
peal to the good sense and liberal
feeling Of the North might have con-
futed many Misrepresentation which
have been disseminated by the Radi
Gals. But the South seemed to
await some signal or invitation
from the President and while there
remained the faintest hope of justice
from Congress, the President simply
declared his views, but countenanced
no scheme for organizing the people
in opposition to the Legislative BODY.
He is now understood to favor the
Philadelphia Convention and the
South, accepting the call as signal
from him, will be very generally
represented. The country will then
have an opportunity to see what
kind of men the South would natu-
rally send to Congress, and judge