Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-09-18
Wiley and BoTeman.

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negro suffrage convention which met in Phil
adelphia on the T4th. The convention did
Adopt the negro suffrage dogma and that
is the platform upon which Gov. Boremau
has to stand. st is good enough for him and
the party he represents
Senator Wiley, Of West Virginia. Mr.
Chairman, simply rise to make an inquiry
pertaining to the transaction of the remain
ing business of the convention. i desire to
know weather it is expected that the dele
gates to this body from the reconstructed
States represented here are to take part,
either by voting or by discussion, in the re-
port which we have been espprised this even
ing viii be made tomorrow morning. CCries
of"No, no.. Well, then, sir, suppose that
the business of tho convention having been
finished, so far as the border States are CON
cerned. those gentleman from the other States
will not take offence If the members from
those States, called by urgent business, should
go home to night.
Now, while l am up, desire to express
my unqualified regret t" hear from the gen.
tlemau from Texas (Gen. Hamilton) the sen
timents which he has expressed Sir, Texas
has no more frmer friends than the men that
dwell upon our Virginia hills. Hundreds, if
not thousands. have labored in that old State
in defence Of that gentleman Preside aud in
defence of his rights; and 1 think it came
with very i'll grace, and it grated harshIy
on my ears, to hear men whom we have
loved so well charging us here with enmity
to their interests. No, sir, we have no such
feeling, and trust we never shall have such
feeling. We are and have been for Texas
and for the South l was obliged to my
friend from Tennessee for the kind manner
IN ho 10 81 L
God, she has made record for herself; she
is beyond reproach; we have reconstructed
ourselves upon basis as firm as the Allie
gheny mountains, which we inhabit. Gap
plause.)
Allow nc to say, 61r President, that ne
gro suffrage is no bugbear to me. In my
place in the Senate of the United States,
and, as | am well assured. in the face of the
public sentiment of my native State. 1 took
ground in favor OF negro suffrage. Zap
plause 1t is not from me, then, that its
friends may expect any hostility or DISPOSE
ton to retard or embarrass them in their glo-
rious work, or even in securing impartial suf-
trage in the Southern States. In that I am
with them heart and hand We do not allow
rebels to vote in our section, sir there at
least, they are on level with negroes, for nell
Their eau vote.
NONeTuOT r. 1. hOTeu2O, OF w eSl v lTEin-
ia, said that the original design of this con-
vention looked to laying before the people of
the country statement of facts upon which
it was expected that the Congress of the
United States would be sustained as distinct
from the present Executive. He continued
Sir, teel that the success or defeat of our
cause depends upon the action Of this con-
vention-that the maintenance OF the Union
itself depends upon it. l feel that if this
convention, including the Border States of
the South who are here, shall adopt this
dogma" of negro suffrage, as it is called,
we are agaitl irretrievabiy gone, and gone for
ever: lCries of mo, MOI Mr.. President,
1 say from the honesty Of my heart, that l
know the temper of the people of my State,
and speak here for them. If the Border
States had not been invited here to partici
pate in this convention these gentlemen from
the extreme Southern States might properly
take any action that would seem best tn them;
but here we are, sir. We are now held re-
spOnsible for the action of this convention,
whatever it may be. ard we go back home
with sad hearts. fearing thar the consequence
is that the flag of the Union is struck IN our
country and that the rebellion is elevated
TCries OF Never"
The Chair reminded the speaker of the
state of the question, and requested him to
limit his remarks.
Governor Boreman promised to comply,
and added: l. believe that these gentlemen
from the non reconstructed States are earnestly
seeking to do right, and promote the best
interests of their section of country; but l
appeal to them to take the testimony of the
gentlemen who are here representing the
Border States as to the true condition Of
affairs in that section. | profess to know
the temper of my people better than those
gentlemen. A prejudice exists that the
gentlemen cannot fealiHe. True, il may be
said such prejudice ought not to exist, but
the fact of its existence cannot be bIotted out,
and VIC have to meet facts as they are.
The Chair again directed the gentleman to
confine his remarks to the question.
Several delegates inquired what was the
question. .,..,
BY direction of the Chair the Secretary
then again read the resolution
Mr.. Sherwood, of Texas, contended that
the gentlemen. from West Virginia Mr..
Foreman had risen to point of order, but
was now taking advantage of the convention
to make a speech.
Governor Foreman said that his remarks
had been so nearly confined to the subject,
that, in body of this kind, where the rules
were not strictly enforced, he thought his re-
marks were very nearly in order. He said
that he did not oppose the pending resolution,
but wished to call his attention to the re-
quest which he had made, that this conven-
ton being adjourned, the delegates from the
non reconstructed States should call meet
ing and pass their resolutions. He desired to
have platform upon which his colleagues
and himself could go before the country.
Several delegates. 1--WE have no authori-
ty to do that" Eve cannot dissolve in that
way"
SiNdULAR OCcuRRENcE.-At Gordons>
vile, on Sunday while the train was water
ing at that place. gentleman of this city by