Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-10-15
A LETTER FROM THE Hon. JOSEPH
sEGAR, OF VIRGINIA.
ms VIEWS UPON REcoNsrRuorIoN.


The Hon. Joseph Segar having been re-
quested to become candidate for the Con-
vention TO frame a Constitution for that
State, declines such candidacy, but writes
the following views of Reconstruction, and
the duty of Virginia toward that end:
First, Register every one of you entitled
to registration, who has not already done so.
Secondly When registered, vote, all of
you, for Convention.
|. as to registration. The polls will be
reopened on the sth, and continue open to
the 18th inst. Embrace this last opportunity
TO secure the ballot Remember that if you
do not register you cannot vote for oragainst
Convention, or for or against members of
the Convention; and that the new Constitu-
tion, if made, may provide that none but
the previously registered voters shall vote
for future members of the Legislature or
members of Congress or electors OF Presi-
dent and Vice President Non-registration,
therefore, may be indefinite disfranchise-
ment; and, the dIstranchisement being of
your own volition, you have none to blame
but yourselves.
II. By all means, by voting for Conven-
ton, accede TO the terms prescribed by Cor
gress. 1t is the shortest road to restoration
to the Union, and to the peace and happiness
of old. Bear in mind what the Hon. NJ.
Trenholm of South Carolina so aptly said to
Gov. Perry, that the Sherman-Shellabarg
scheme Of adjustments is not an agreement
with the seeded States, but Flaw" to be
obeyed, under penalty of the consequences
of disobedienee. There is no option for us.
1t is submission OF nOn-reconstruction
pray you not to be tantalized by the idea
which seems to be determining many against
a Convention, that the sentiment of the
North may change at the next elections, and
that, by the reaction, President Johnson'S
plan of reconstruction may yet succeed. L
is the veriest of all fantasies and as fatal al
palpable. Do remember that the member
of the present Congress are elected for two
years to come. So far, then, as the presen
Congress is concerned, you have no hope
Then, the all-important and the great prac
tical question Is, What party will be sue
cesslul at the next Presidential election
Beyond doubt, the Union Republican. B.
the anti Observation-Disclosures 1t is urged that
the great States of New York and Pcnnsyl
vania, or any two OF the three great State
shall cast their votes for the Democracy, th
revolution Will be certain and complete, an
the Republican party overwhelmed. Ther
could not be more deceptive calculation
Give TO the Democracy the two great State
New York and Pennsylvania, and still th
Republican ticket must succeed, and easily
submit the following electoral vote for th
opposition, conceding several States, pa
ticularly New York and Pennsylvania, ,whic
, are far more likely TO go Republican tina
Democratic: California, 5; Connecticut,
Delaware, 8; Kentucky, IL; Maryland,
q New Jersey, Z; New York, 33; Pennsy
vania 26-total Democratic, 9s. Republ
IS can States; Illinois, 16; Indiana, 49, Kansa
Z 3; Maine, Z; Massachusetts, 12; Michigal
i s; Minnesota, 4; Missouri, II; Nevada,
Nebraska, B.; New Hampshire, 5; Ohio,
/. | Oregon, B.; Rhode Island, 4 Tennessee,
Vermont, 81 West Virginia, 81 Wisconsin
8. Republican, 149; Opposition, 0S; Repu
!, llcan majority, Ol. Inls calculation glV
Ohio TO the Republicans. But take it off f
the Opposition, and the result will be still
majority of 33 for the Republican ticket
the Presidential election of November, 1st
e In other words, give to the Democracy
three of the great States of New York, Pen
sylvania and Ohio, and the present domino
party will maintain its ascendancy, and b.
decided majority. And being successful
the next Presidential election, and enteri
on new lease Of power, armed with the v
rk patronage of the Federal Government, W
M can forsee the end of Republican domil
=. tionH Those, therefore, who would postpc
isl Reconstruction until Northern sentim
y changes, put off the day of reunion and
s' cuperation indefnitely-ho long, the !
en-, mighty ken alone can see. Hope sometin
IN "tells a flattering tale," and she does it
this instance. Listen not to her Circ
md strain; selzc the practical opportunity /
99ts' sented by the Congressional plan OF IT
ganizatou Of regaining your place in
/. Unioii,' ana t7equaf sovereignty and p