The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1866-08-16

strument was the character Of the men
who framed it, and the abolition there
BY of slavery. Having failed at the
extra session 10 pass bill calling a
convention, the attempt was renewed
at the regular session hold in the
month of January, aud more than
half the time of that body was spent
in discussing that question. nally,
a committee was sent TO Washington
to consult tic President, and the Leg
islature orly abandoned the measure
through his advice.
l considered a convention inexpedi-
cut, and for that reason opposed it. |
had learned enough of the real senti-
ments OF the people to convince me
that if new constitution was made il
would be less in harmony with the
views of the President and Congress
than the constitution of 1864, the re-
suit OF which would be to lessen the
chances for the admission of our Rep
resentatives. urged these views on
the members of both Houses of the
Legislature, but they had no effect with
the majority.
l deprecated tho city and parish
election for this reason. | feared the
result, because of the character Of the
men that would be elected; because
had seen enough of public sentiment
to convince mo that none but those
who had served in the Confederate ar
my, or who had gone inside the Con-
federate lines, would be elected to of.
fee. Iforesaw that such result would
be justly regarded by the people OF
the loyal States as showing de,
fant spirit, and as still glorying in
a cause that had been defeated by them
with such fearful loss Of lie and ex-
penditure Of treasure.
With numerous and repeated evil
dences OF the continuing Of an ntoler-
ant and rebelIious spirit, and the man
Hesitation OF the persecution of all who
did not adhere to the fortunes Of the
Confcdcracy to the last hour, on the
part of large majority Of tho citizens,
and with q press almost unanimously
expressing sentiments Of the same
tcnor, is it q matter of surprise that
should pause and commence to reflect
on the consequences, both us regards
the further security Of the Govern.
ment and tho fate of tho Union men
In the South, il these men, who once
attempted TO break up the Union sue
cceded in grasping the power of the
nation againp 4at..
l had seen that, while protesting
with their lips renewed allegiance t.
the flag, and the oblivion OF the past
embodied in the pacific policy OF The
President, they were becoming more
arrogant, intolerant and dictatorial
They glory in the apparent scbism be
tween the President and Congress, in
the policy Of restoring tho States late.
Iy in rebellion, and rub their hands
with delight at the idea of civil war
in the loyal States. ,,rg.t.
In view Of oil this array of stubborn
facts, | frankly own that my views OF
the conciliatory policy Of winning
back to allegiance those who have
been engaged IN II war TO destroy the
Union have undergone change. The
into!erant spirit engendcred by slavery
still exists. The loss of property aud
the failure Of their hopes can never be
forgiven, and, though | regard them
as lmpotent to resent tho constituted
authority enforced by tho presence Of
the military, yet / am convinced they
would renew the rebellion tomorrow
II They saw u prospect OF SUCCESS.
Impressed with tho truth of these
views, foresoeing the necessity, for the
future security Of Union men in the
South, that the amendment to the Con.
stitution adopted by Congress and sub
mltted to the several States for mtih.
cation should prevail, and fully rcal
zlng the fact that the amendment
would be ratified by the present Log
islature, own | was in favor of the
reassembling of the Convention OF
1864, as the only means of securing
ratification az required, and thereby
insuring the admission Of our Repre-.
scntativcs in Congress, -.
The legal right of tho Convention
TO continue its functions is question
suppose, properly pertaining TO the
courts to decide. Senators and Rep.
resentativcs in Congress, of great
learning, and men Of high legal at
tainmcnts in Now Orleans have ex.
pressed tho opinion that, under the
resolution of adjournment, tho Con.
yention could lawfully reassemble. A
distinguished Democratic Senator in
Congress took the same view.
For myself, II | had any doubt on
this subject, which have not, | should
have deferred TO the opinion of ADLER
men.
The total number of delegates com
posing the convention was 100; the
number elected 70. The quorum was
fixed at 70, this number being a ma,
jority OF tho whole. There wero 2T
parishes unrepresented in tho convcn.
tlon entitled 10 81 delegates, and ad.
ding them to vacancies to DO filled,
would make 6l delegates to be elected,
bcoldes, there were some 10 or II del.
egales who, disappearing tho emanci.
patton clause, refused TO sign the con
stltution, who may be ranked with
the extreme conservatives. Counting
tho VI delegates to be elected TO be Of
the same class, and tho balance of the
convention to bc radical, it will bo seen
that tho parties would have been near
iy equally divided. go
have gone into these details to
show the falsity Of The charges that
lAVoT hQan naIo tkot IA N o..'...... A.. =.