The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-08-18
The Work of the Convention.

ing it; but looking at results we behold the
organization of a Conservative party with
which we can all cooperate, and congratu-
late the country on the success of the Con-
vention. Its proceedings were harmonious
beyond expectation, and the declaration of
principles which it has given to the country
are conclusive of the earnestness of the ep-
position which the Radicals are hereafter to
encounter. The war between central despot-
ism and local liberty has begun, and the enc
mics of republican institutions at last find
themselves confronted by an organized resis-
tance. The principles on which this organi-
cation relies are now before the country. and
amount to just this: An acceptance on the
part Of the South of the facts as they stand
and reaffirmation by the North of certain
fundamental principles of constitutional law
which have been trampled under foot by the
Red Cap Republicans. The assertions of the
rights of the States recur frequently in the
Resolutions adopted, and the language of the
Constitution itself is employed to give them
expression as far as practicable.
1t is no part of our present purpose to at
tempt an analysis of the principles set forth
further than that we have already given, as
it will be necessary hereafter to refer to them
in detail, but we copy here one paragraph
from the fifth resolution, which is explicit on
the great Radical issue of the negros right
vote. The paragraph to which we refer is as
follows:
All the powers not conferred by the Con-
stitution upon the General Government, nor
prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to
the States or to the people thereof and among
the rights thus reserved to the States is the
right to prescribe the qualification for the
elective franchise therein, with which right
Congress cannot interfere.
The significance of this does not fully ap-
pear at first. 1t has meaning beyond that
we have given it. 1t proclaims distinct is
sue with the Radicals, and that issue is that
this is white mans Government, made by
white men for the benefit of white men; and
that inferior races cannot become participants
in its benefits further than to enjoy protec-
ton Of person and property. 1t is upon this
issue that the great Constitutional party of
the North is going into the conflict, and it is
upon this that Radical madness has made a
blunder more fatal than in its corrupt expen-
diture of public money. Or revolutionary as
sumptions.
The declaration Of principles shows the
current of thought in the Convention, and one
extract from the address put forth by that
body, will exhibit in letters of light the feeling
of the conservative North. These two ele-
ments thought and feeling being siven--we
can understand at glance the situation" as
now revealed, not by the newspapers, not by
individual orators, but by special representa-
tives of the people, elected Tor special pur-
pose, and charged with the expression of the
thoughts and feelings of their constituents
After indicating the honesty with which
the South accepted the inexorable fact of de-
feat, the address goes on as follows:
And if that confidence and LOYALTY have
been since impaired; if the people of the
South are to-day less cordial in their allie
glance than they were Immediately upon the
close of the war, we believe it is due to the
changed tone of the legislative department of
the general government toward them; to the
action by which Congress has endeavored to
supplant and defeat the President s wise and
benehcent policy of restoration; to their exclu-
sion from all participation in our common
government; to the withdrawal from them of
rights conferred and guaranteed by the Con-
stitution, and to the evident purpose of Con-
gress, in the exercise of usurped and unlaw-
full authority, to reduce them from the rank
OF free and equal members of republic of
States, with rights and dgnities unimpaired,
to the condition Of conquered prsvin ,ss and
conquered people, in all things subordinate
and subject to the will of their conauerors ::
free only to obey laws in making which they
are not allowed to share
No people has ever yet existed whose
loyalty and faith such treatment long con.
nnued would not ALLEVIATE and impair And
the ten millions of Americans who live in the
South would be unworthy citizens of free
country, degenerate sons of an heroic ancestry,
unilt ever to become guardians of the rights
and Liberties bequeathed to us by the fathers
and founders OF this republic il they could
~SNoP'' WIN accompanying SllDlllsSVeneSS,
the foundations thus sought to be imposed
upon them.
Inc audience rose and cheered and
waved hats and handkerchisfs for several
minutes.
Hon. Reverdy Johnson-Mr. President I
move that the honorable member read them
again, the last clause. (Cheers.)
The motion was unanimously adontel and
Mr. Hammond Tn-raa1 90 lo,;..l
newed and most enthusiastic eheering1
Resentment ofinjustice is always and eyery-
where essential to freedom and the spirit
which prompts the States and people lately in
instruction, but insurgent now no longer to
protest against the imposition of unjust and
degrading conditions, makes them all the
more worthy TO share in the government of a
tree commonwealth, and gives still firmer as
Surance of the future uoIvar an6 Food e