Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-09-09
TITE BLACK -AND-TAN CONVENTION
ITS DISAGREEMENT, FAILURE
AND ADJOURNMENT.

TIE BLACK -AND-TAN CONVENTION /
ITS DISAGREEMENT, FAILURE
AND ADJOURNMENT.
The mongrel convention which met at
Philadelphia On Monday last adjourned |
finally on Thursday evening. 1t issued an
address and platform, weak in conception,
false in terms, and wholly unsatisfactory to
the friends Of Congress, in matter and scope.
This extraordinary assemblage was called
bya few corrupt and discarded Southern
politicians with view of setting on foot an
organized Radical party in the SOuth-in
which il has most sighally failed. The ac-
ton it has taken, instead Of strengthening,
has weakened the cause it was intended
to build up, both in the North and the
South. For this it is entitled to the thanks
Of the people Of the country. A few words
as to its origin, progress and termination
1t was called by few bankrupt and char
acterless politicians from the Southern
States, who dubbed themselves " Southern
Loyalists." The delegates, as general
thing, who appeared as representatives of
the Southern people, were selfconstituted
and really represented nobody. They were
made up of about one-half Southern men in
whom the people had lost all confidence and
respect, and the other half strangers and ad-
venturers, who came to the South as camp
followers during the war, or as spectators
after its close.
Generally the Radical Wire-pullers APP
pointed delegations from the Northern
States to the Convention, and most Of these
delegates were present, including the free
negro, FRED. DOUGLASS, and a few others Of
the same color. It was supposed, at the
time Of their appointment, that the COnven-
ton would assume a national character, and
the delegates from all parts would sit and
act together as one body. For some reason
this expectation was not strictly fulfilled,
and all the Northern State delegations were
held and treated as consulting delegates"
They did not have any voice or vote in open
convention, but had the unlimited run Of the
committee rooms, and strong hand in cut
ting out the work proposed. They remained,
therefore, behind the curtains, and the
" Southern Loyalists" acted the burlesque
in front. They adopted an address and
string Of resolutions, the former heretofore
given, and the latter printed in another
column this morning. The platform means
absolutely nothing, except opposition to
President JOHNSON and his supporters. 1t
wholly fails to lay down the Radical doc
trines. 1t omits all direct issues either upon
the subject of representation or negro suf
frage-the two chief pillars in the Radical
temple.
This was not satisfactory TO a portion of
the delegates. and after prolonged struggle
in committee, the malcontents were squelched.
But they renewed their demands in conven-
ton, and were met and defeated by the
previous question. At this stage Of the pro-
ceedings many members left the assembly,
asserting that the convention had concluded
its labors, although il had not finally ad-
iourned. Among these was the presiding
officer, Mr.. SPEED, who left the chair, and
disappeared. The remaining members,
among whom were Gov. BRowNLow and
others of the Tennessee delegation, reopened
the question Of negro suffrage, and by vote
of 65 to II, adopted an address advocating
and urging negro suffrage. They thus split
into two separate factions, and the Conven-
ton goes before the people divided upon the
most important question before it.
tits but just to both parties to say that
all were really in favor of negro suffrage,
and of social equality with the negro but,
while one thought it was impolitic to say
it, the other insisted in putting it in the
platform. Practically, they are substantially
agreed; but their INDIGESTION and want of
harmony will deprive them Of that politi-
cal unity so necessary TO success, and has
placed them before the country in an at
titude at once weak and ridiculous.
This division occurred among the South
erners themselves. And what may appear
singular, the Gulf tier of States were the in
satiable advocates Of negro suffrage, includ-
ing the majority, If not all the Tennesseans,
while the border States, Maryland, Virginia,
Kentucky and Missouri, were opposed to it.
The reason is plain-though discreditable.
In Tennessee and the Gulf States it is clear
that tie Radicals cannot carry a corporaPs
guard without the negro vote, while in the
other States they hope to succeed, or at least
keep up a respectable organization until the
negro is invested with the voting privilege.
Such has been the action Of the Conven-
ton, Of which there has been such flourish
Of trumpets. There is not an experienced
Radical politician in the country, who will
honestly claim that it has added particle
to the cause il was designed 10 strengthen.