Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-09-04
The Discussions between the Northern
and the Southern Committeeman in the
Philadelphia Convention,

Philadelphia Convention.
A motion was made by delegate from one
of theeastern States TO strike out OF the address
tire following clause:
For whatever responsibility the southern
people may have incurred in resisting the
authority of the National Government. and
Ia taking up arms for its overthrow, they may
be held to answer, as individuals, before the
Judicial tribunals of the land, and for-that-
conduct, as societies and organized. COMMUNE
ties, they have already paid the most fearful
penalties that can fall on offending States, in
the losses, the suferings, and humiliations of
unsuccessful war. !"
The reason for the motion was that the
language might be construed into a declara-
ton of opinion by the Convention that the
individuals who were engaged in the late
civil war against the authority of the United
States Government were guilty, if there were
guilt anywhere, and not the States.
Upon this motion to strike out-which was
lost-strange to say, a few of the southern
delegates voted mol A motion was then made
to STRIFE out the words "for whatever" in the
beginning of the sentence, and insert the
words sit any," 1t was contended by those
in favor of striking out and inserting that the
word 1cA0tever implied some, and the Conven-
might probably be brought before the courts
of the country in a few weeks in the trial of
those accused of treason for their acts during
the war. This motion was carried, but the
address as read to the Convention retained
the objectionable words.
=. The discussions which arose upon these
questions Of difference were conducted in the
utmost harmony and good feeling, some of
the northern and western men advocating
with great earnestness the propriety of the
change sought to be made, while few south
ern-delegates resisted theproposed modiica-
lions
Finally, the address and platform having
been adopted about II o'clock, motion was
made to adjourn, when Mr.. Hendricks begged
that it might be withdrawn, to enable BIN to
submit motion; which request was agreed
to. He then moved to reconsider the vote
adopting the resolution in the platform relating
to the soldiers, to enable him to offer an
amendment to it. This was agreed to- and
he proceeded to say that the resolution as it
stood Substantially as reported by Senator
Cowan) would not satisfy the demands Of the
western people. The resolution merely ex-
pressed admiration for the qualities of the
American soldier, commencing him for his
courage, energy, and chivalric bearing in the
held-hs magnanimity and generous for
bearance in success his frank and manly
acceptance of the terms of defeat
1t was said that the North and West de-
manded that distinction should. be made
between the northern and southern soldiers
! that the former were entitled to their graft
tude and thanks for the part they took in the
contest just closed. Hence he moved to
| strike out American" and insert Union"
soldiers; and further. to declare they were
entitled to and received their warmest thanks
and gratitude for their services in the field
To this some of the southern delegates
replied, that if the resolution wa, passed in
that shape they could not without an entire
disregard of their own selErespect, concur in
the report.
They admitted that such an expression of
! opinion and feeling proper and right on
the part of the northern men. but that no
true man at the South should be required to
say that he felt grateful for having been con
| quered and subjugated. They admitted that
such sentiments were proper in one section
| but were debasing and disgraceful to the
other. long debate ensued upon this ques-
| ton, IN which one man who said he was
| from the South, announced that he approved
and would support the amendment. He was
| said to be from the State of Tennessee. FIJI
naliy the matter was disposed of by the adop-
| ton of the resolution. which was reported to
and adopted by the Convention. and which
was drawn up by Mr.. johnson, of Maryland,
and is number nine (9) of the series in the
| platform.
These statements of the inside workings of
the Convention are made in justice to the
Southern delegates. The platform, as a
| whole, and the address, except in regard to
the words which were ordered to be stricken
out, it is thought, received their approval
AUOuSru Tibro,,;-Le