The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-08-29
The Discussions between the Nor"'
ern and the Southern committeeman
I'm the Philadelphia Convention.

A motion was made by q delegate from
one of the eastern States to strike out OF
the address the following clause:
:" For whatever responsibility the south
crn people may have incurred in resisting
the authority of the National Government,
and in taking up arms for its overthrow,
! they NAV be held to answer, as indiridu-
ais, before the judicial tribunals Of the
! land, and for that conduct, rs societies and
organized communities, they have already
paid the most fearful penalties that can
fall on offending States, in the losses, the
suiicringS, and humiliationS Of unsuccesS-
| full war;
The reason for the motion was that the
language might be construed into dccla-
ration of opinion 10y the Convention that
the in,liriduuls 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-Stange to say, n few OF the south
crn delegates voted no! n motion was
then made to strike out the words " for
whatever" in the beginning OF the sen
! tcnce, and insert the words "if any" 1t
was contended by those in favor Of striking
ont and inserting that the word 1rhatecer
| implied some, and the Convention should
not pass upon questions which might pro-
badly be brought before the courts OF the
country in 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 adj
| vocating with great carnestnesS the pro-
priety OF the change sought to be made,
while few southern delegates resisted the
proposed notifications.
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begged that it might be withdrawn, to ena-
bic him to submit a motion which request
was agreed to. He then moved to recon
slider the vote adopting the resolution IN
the platform relating to the soldiers, 10
enable him to offer an amendment 10 IL.
This was agreed to, and he proceeded to
cav that the resolution as 1t stood (Sub-
stantially as reported by Senator Cowan)
,rorld not satisfy the demands of the west
arm neople. The resolution merely cN-
nressed admiration for the qualities of the
| American soldier, commenting him for his
courage, energy, and chivalric bearing in
the tield-his magnanimity and generous
forbearancc in SuccesS-and 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 sol
dicrs-that the former were entitled to
their gratitude 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 was passed
in that shape they could not, without an
entire disregard Of their own scli-respect
concur in the report.
They admitted that such an expression
of opinion and feeling was proper aud right
on the part of the northern men, but that
no t1tc man at the South should be re.
quircd TO say that he felt grateful fol
having been conquered and subjugated
They admitted that snch sentiments were
proper in one section, but were dcbasine
and disgraccful to the other. A long de.
bate cnsued upon this question, in which
one man, who said he was from the South
announced that he approved and would
support the amendment. He was said te
he from the State of Tennessee. Finally
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, o.
Maryland, anG is number nine (O of the
series in the platform.
These statements of the inside working,
Of the Convention are made in justice t.
the southern delegates. The platform, g:
a whole, and the address, except in regard
to the words which were ordered to be
stricken out, it is thought, receive their
approyal.-Auga,Sta CAronicle.