Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1866-09-07
guatcbman q State 9ulirnaI.
BYE.P. WALTON
MONTPELIER, SEPTEMBER Z, 1866
THE LOYAL CONVENTION AT PHIL
ADELPHIA.
PHILADELPHIA. Sept. 8, 1866.

THE LOYAL CONVENTION AT PHIL
ADELPHIA.
PHILADELPHIA. Sept. 8, 1866.
There is an immense gathering of loyalists
of the South, the North, the East and the
West. From the far West, on the Pacific
coast. comes with others Fred Billings,
son Of Vermont; from East Tennessee, the
home Of Andrew Johnson, comes host, and
with them Gen. Horace N. Thomas, Adjutant
General of the State, another son Of vermont.
/ name these to show that Vermonters,
wherever found, are true to their birth-right;
but one thing must add, in justice to the
native loyalists Of the South, and that is that
they are fully up to Vermonts standard of
equality in human rights--in civil and polt-
ical rights, irrespective of color caste, or con-
dition-and far in advance Of Vermonters in
the intensity oftheir zeal and the thoroughness
Of their determination to see their states ." re-
deemed, regenerated and disenthraled" from
rebels, slayocrats, copperheads, and oligarchs.
The ears of Vermoniers would Jingle at the
language Of these men; the blood run cold
at the tales of sacrifices and suffering. There
are Southern men here who have come at the
hazard Of their lives--men who have never
before entered free state, and never again
will dare 10 return to their homes, until the
whole power of the government shall be
pledged to the protection Of their lives and
property. Literally, some Of them have taxi
en- their life in their hands.
Last night the iaidatory step to the organ
/ ization of the Convention was Prayer Meet
/ ing composed of both Northern and Southern
men, at the Union League Rooms. 1t was
very crowded, every room and hall filled, and
multitudes went away because they could not
gain admittanoe. Senator Harris Of New
York presided, and Rev. DR.. Newman Of
New Orleans, Mr. Eaton Of Memphis, Rev.
Mr.. Conway of Louisiana, Senator Lane from
Indiana, Mr. Strong Of St. Louis. Hon. Hor-
ace Maynard, NJ. C. from Tennessee, Lieut..
GOV Bross OF Illinois, Mr. Mullins, Judge
Palmer and Mr. Wilds of Tennessee, and
Rev. Mr.. Hunnioutt Of Virginia, took part.
1 need not say that the meeting was exceed
ingly interesting and impressive.
To-day, at o IL A. NJ, the loyal delegates
Of the Southern States we're received at
Independence Hall, by loyal men Of the North,
and escorted by them, in an immense process
sion to the place Of meeting. 1t was the for
tune of the Vermont delegation to witness
the most striking scene Of the day, They
had just entered independence Hall, and were
almost the sole occupants OF it,wh the dele
cation Of the Loyalists Of Tennessee, number
lug nearly one hundred men were introduced
and welcomed by Judge Kelley Of Philadel-
phia. He stood in the very room in which
the Declaration of American Independence
was adopted, directly in front Of the statue Of
Washington, with the bell which originally
proclaimed Independence almost within the
reach Of HE hands, and with the portraits Of
the patriots and heroes Of the Revolution
covering all the walls. Ia that presence, with
all these sasroundings,so sacred to every pat
Tio.ic heart, Judge Kelley greeted the immor-
tai Declaration Of the equality Of man, and
announced it to be the true solution Of all
our present national difficulties, aud the guar.
anty for future Union and peace and prospect.
ty and that announcement was received by
every man with uncovered heads and a unani
nous shout Of aoquieacence. Then followet
prayer by an sged son Of Tennessee, which
animated the Congress Of l776, implorins
the Divine blessing to secure the Liberty ant
Salvation Of our country. Hearty and hap
; Ply greetings were then exchanged, aud tn,
delegations withdrew to the duties of tn,
Conventions.
The Convention Of the Southern Loyalist
was then unanimously organized and at
p. m. the Northern loyslists organized in
distinct Convention. OF the latter, Goyerno
Curtin, Of Pennsylvania, was President; 1t
{ Gov. Gardner OF Vermont was one of the Vic
Presidents and Hon. Geo. Wilkins Of Yer
4 mont was appointed one of the committee Of
credentials.
Both Conventions adjourned until to-mor
C row.