Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-09-06
THE DISUNI0N CONVENTION.
The Negro in the Convention s
Woodpile.
Determined Effort TO Suppress Him.
A He'll Lelujah or Two from Parson
Brownlow.
Prayers by Several of the Brethren.
Prayers by Several of the Brethren
Numerous Preliminaries.

| From the Cincinnati Commercial
PHILADELPHIA, September 2-The no
tells of the city are moderately full o
delegates and others, who have come tC
attend the Convention, but the indica
tons so far are that it will be small
affair in point of numbers compared
with the meeting of l4th ult. This was
to be expected, inasmueh as the call
was originally for Southern Union men
only, though it has since been extended
in some way to apply to the Northern as
well as Southern States.
| 1t is not known yet exactly what step
the Convention will take. Some are in
favor of meeting of Southern men first
and the adoption of platform express
ing the views of Southern Unionists
only-the doors to be opened afterward
to all from the North who desire to par
ticipate 1t is manifest from the small
number of Southerners here that unless
this is done the convention will lose its
claim to the title under which it was
called, and instead of a meeting of
Southern Union men it will be a gather
ing of Northern Radicals with few
Southerners scattered among them.
There will be an immense deal of en-
thusiasm displayed during the progress
of the Convention, and it is said that
demonstrations such as have never before
been witnessed in this city will be gotten
up The Loyal League has taken hold
of the matter in good earnest and intend
to make as much out of it as they pos
sibly can in the way of show The
1 -, 90, p,oad g4raat a,a
open to the delegates, and all who go
there are well entertained.
The Southern delegates are entertained
during their stay at the residences of the
members of the League, each member
accommodating certain number This
was agreed upon lest the Southerners be
unable to liquidate such bills as a weeks
stay at the Continental might create
Fred. Douglass finds himself in posi-
ton to this Convention similar to that
which Valandigham occupied toward
that of last month. That is, he finds
strong pressure on him TO stay ut,and is
burdened with requests not to present
himself. In reply, he says he is good
delegate, legally elected, with as good
credentials as anybody here, and he hopes
a convention like this is not going to
exclude man on account Of color
Parson Brownlow was advertised for a
sermon in one of the Methodist churches
to-day, but he was not well enough to
come to time He, however, gave the
audience a little hell-fre, by way of a
closing exhortation before pronouneing
the benedictiOn
The Convention seems to be composed,
in great degree, of men who are fond
of laying up treasure in heaven. Half
dozen pray at which dele
gates are to preside, are advertised for
this evening. Senator Lane, of Indiana,
is to do the heavy praying at one of
them, and Senator Harris, of New \ ork,
is up for some genteel supphcation at
another.
Delegations are here in full force from
the border States. Missouri and Ken
lucky are fully represented. Among
those from the latter State are ex-Attor-
ney General Speed and Rev. Robert j.
Breckinridge
Fred. Douglass and negro suffrage
seem to be two very large bones of con-
tention at present The delegates from
Louisiana, Georgia, Texas and Tennessee
are in favor Of negro suffrage, but some
gentlemen from the Northern States are
afraid to make such an issue lest it might
injure the Republican ticket in Pennsyl
vania and elsewhere, this fall.
Judge Kelley, and other prominent
men, say the proper course is for the
Southern delegates TO meet by them
selves, and adopt their own platform,
without any reference to its effect on
pending elections in the North The
is that this will be done, and
it is very well known that nearly all the
Southern men here are in favor of negro |
suffrage, and will so declare, and appeal
to Congress TO grant it. This is the
Radical programme.
They had a sort of politicoreligious
class meeting at the Union League head !
quarters tonight DIR. Newman, of New |
led off in an eloquent prayer,
in which he called upon Providence TO |
give our rulers less egotism, less pride
and more humility.
This was received as a hint for the
man at the White House, and nothing
but the sepulchral piety Of the voice in