The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1866-09-12
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 4,

lI'Ihi ilHii hIHt hSiS N"''S' !" ''"~' ~ -
o'clock by the temporary Chairman Of the
Convention, Mr.. Durant, of New Orleans.
Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr.. Matlack,
Mr.. Durant.-Thc Chair is Of opinion that
the first business in order to-day will be the
report of the Committee appointed yesterday
on the credentials o. members. The report
Of that Committee is therefore now called for
Mr.. T.. WaShburne, Of Georgia. presented
the report Of tho Committee on Credentials,
as follows:
Ernltcl. That the Convention receive the
report of the members from each State as to
the qualifications Of its members. Texas re.
ports Is delegates; Louisiana, lS; Tennessee,
81; Virginia, Gl; West Virginia, 81 Gror-
gia, s. Alabama, 1: Kentucky, -; MiSSou'
ri, 30: ArkanSaS,2; North Carolina, Ma.
ryland. 60: Delaware, 8; Florila,,1 District
Of Columbia, -. Total, 30.
Mr.. Fletcher, Of Tennessee, from the Com.
rnitlc2 on Permanent Organization, male the
following report:
For observation-disclosures Speed. Of Kentucky.
For Vice Irrsilc#,s-E.. NJ. PcaSc, Of Tex.
as: Anthony Fcrnanlcs Of La. Joseph W.
Field, of Miss; u. II. bingham. Of Ala; Col.
G.. l.. Hart, Of Fla: Gov W. G.. Erownl"w,
Of Tenn; .cs. II. Glover, Of n.y.; George I.
Strong, Of No.: II. c. Cole, Of Ga; Rev. Hope
Ea;nr, nf y. c.; Hon. John Minor EottS, Of
Va: Gov. 4. !. Bo"cman, of West Va; Gen.
Joseph Grrharlt, District Of Columh:a Hon.
T.. \. CrrSSwclI, Of Md; \. \. {. Rogers, o:
Ark: ','hnS. T.. Cowr>ry, Of Del.
For Sc.,rctarir>-Samucl G. Mercer, 81
Tenn: Col. Western Flint, Of No: John
Ensor. nf Md. Henry ". Davis, Of Mis.
Col. ChaS. G. Gil, Of Kv.: c. &. I;ayl"r. "'
Ga.: i. v. Wymnr. Of y. G.; JOHN, II. VIII
Inns rr 0rl. ; Judge NJ. J. Stafford, "f Ma.
p., &. X. Cirnwcr, oE Ha.; +. W. Boyd, o
WrS, Va.: .I,'ssH Stencil. u! Texas; Peter y,
Fr,rriy, o; Ark: +, IIriS>tand, Of La; .jr"
". rr',,., 81 Fla: u. i. Brown, Of Ihr Dis
t.irl or Columbia.
For Chaplain, Rev. John B. N'wman, I"
Louisiana
The reports were adopted.
On the Presidents takin. the chair he was
received with great applause, after which he
delivered an able and appropriate address, o'
which, from its great length, we can only give
a synopsis.
Mr. Speed said
Gentlemen Of the Convention and loyal incN
Of the South here assembled | thank YOU
cordially lo" the compliment YOU have pad
me in calling upon mc to preside over tlIC
deliberations Of This body. ] feel that you
could have called worlhcf man, one who
has been more thoroughly tried than have
take the position. however, and will dis
charge the duties nnd functions of the Office
TO the best Of my ability.
in my time, gentlemen, ! have received
yolnu honor|, and | have borne thrm, think
mc"kly. feel in my heart that the h"n"i
conferred upon me to-day by this convention
Of voluntarily associated Southern mcn, dcvo
ted to their country and its freedom, is the
highest honor that ever yet received.
Why is it that so many Of us have come
from the far distant portions Of this country
Of our own accnrl and at our own expense
And why is it tha, when we have come here
the loyal hearts Of this loyal people are sc
stirred
Did they come out simply TO see rcct
shaken by the wind? Did they come simply
for the purpose Of seeing fraiI men, who ar'
to-day but may not he tomorrow who have
had their trials in the past and expect then
in the future? They turned out, It may be
to receive and meet us somewhat on our owl
accounts, personally, but principally hccaus'
we are representatives Of great truth. ]
was because in our past lives We had ShowI
adhesion to principles. and because VIC wcr
here for the purpose Of renewing. upon TIT
altar Of liberty, in this ancient city, and anon;
these loyal people, our pledges, and Of dcclar
ins our purpose to stand by the principle
upon which this Government is founded.
beg you, gentlemen. in the dcIihrration
of thi, convention, to bear this great TACT II
mind
What principle is it then that We repre-
sent! And why is it that the people Of TIN
great nation arc stirred now rs they rarel!
have been stirred before?
less than eighteen months ago, in thu
country, more than million of men were ar
raycd in arms hostile to each other. TN
nassions which led to bIoodshcd were thel
ripe. and swaycd Mike individuals and com
binations, and the whole country was, ns !
were, in great throes Of excitement. But tn
great army Of the republic, which had consc
Grated itself to constitutional liberty and Tn
establishment of freedom, has performed th
task assigned it, and nobly did they do the'
work. Having destroyed the orsanIze'
civil government Of the rebellion, an!
taken tho arms from the han'!s Of trai
tors within our limits. the army Of pat
riot warriors disappeared, and arc a:a'
ratr;o,ic citizens They sit in the c:ow'
nndistingusl,cd, without cpaulets badges, 0
uniform They, with everybody cls, Hppc'
to the ballot.box for tho accomplishment
the remainder Of their work, and, in com
mon with all good men, never wish to sc
war again, while they wish to sec peac
established upon principles whose orig
is in that truth. in the bosom OF God himsei
Justice, equal rights, and security t
cycry human being in the United States "
Southern men, who have seen the sin
slavery. which ,omr said. I,aradoxieaJy: was t'
cornerstone Of Republican institutions, do know
rot only historically. but expcrimentally, that