Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-07-12
The South and the Philadelphia
na Convention. .s a.

y Accounts from the South show DISPOSE
Z, tion on the part of the people to send their
leading men to the Philadelphia Conven-
tion, irrespective of all considerations of
their past Identification with the rebellion.
The only qualification that seems to be con-
sidered requisite for delegates is an honest
allegiance to the restored Union. Thus,
amongst the delegates atlarge that seem to
be nominated by acclamatiOn by the press
of Georgia, are Alexander III. Stephens,
Herschel johnson, and Benjamin Ii. Hill,
all of whom were identified with the Con-
tederate Government Governor Orr, of
South Carolina, In his character of Vice
President of the National Union Club OF
that State, indorses the Convention In a
long address to the people of his State. In
the course of it he says:
"The importance of this meeting and the
beneficial consequences to result from 1t
can scarcely be exaggerated. Separated as
we have been for the last five years from
all communication with the people of the
North and West-knowing but little of
their opinions except as expressed through
the unjust and oppressive action of the Bit
ter partisan majority which at present con-
trolls the National Legislature-this is the
first opportunity which has been afforded
us to take free and equal counsel with those
who feel impelled by sense of high pat
riotism to oppose the unjust schemes of the
Radicals in their systematic effort to OPP
press and humiliate the people of these
States, and defeat, if possible, the recon-
struction of the Union indefinitely. The
address states clearly the principles upon
which we are expected to act in COM
mon; and it seems to me that there is
not one to which this State cannot SUBJ
scribe in honor, and with sincerity. We
simply recognize those results-which the
events of the late war have placed be-
yond the bounds of any future political dis
cussion-results in which we have unani-
mously and sincerely acquiesced, and in
conformity to which we have already mod
flied our Constitution, our legislation, and
our political sentiments. We are invited
to join in an acknowledgment OF the wis
dom of that policy by which Andrew
johnson, President of the United States,
has, in the midst of difficulties unparalleled
in the history of any administration, main
tanned the integrity of the Constitution,
identified the exercise of Executive power
with the rules of strict justice and the
spirit of mercy, and proved his legitimate
right to succeed the great founders of the
Republic as the Chief Magistrate OF COM
mon country, which can be made and pre-
served as one nation only by the equal adj
ministration of just and equal laws. The
purpose OF the Convention will be to organ
lie, upon the principles set forth in the COM
mittee 8 address, all conservative men Of all
sections and of all former parties, and,
IL possible, drive from power that Radical
party who are daily trampling under foot
the Constitution. and fast converting con-
stitutional republic into aconsolidated des-
potism. The great mass of people, North
and West, have no higher interest in party
than through it to secure the wise, enlight-
ened and just government of the country,
and when organization is effected, and the
Presidents enlightened policy of recon-
struction is presented for their approval or
condemnation, there can be little doubt
that hewill be triuphantly sustained, and
our rights as equals in a restored Union
fully conceded" % ..t. Z. t,ltf ~,
The Governor concludes by suggesting
the speediest and most practicable mrans- of
selecting delegates Gshtngton Special to
The New York World, r.7gf f.,r,t'.,i sa