Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-12-17
The proceedings were opened with prayer by
the Rev. Mr.. Pcterkin


made the following report.
| ''The Committee on Business beg leave to
report:
THAT they have prepared series of resolu-
tons, which they submit for the approval of
the Convention. -
''They report plan of general organization
of the Conservative voters of the State, which
are numerous, and need not be set forth.
They recommend to the Convention that a
committee of five be appointed by the Presi-
dent of the Convention, whose duty it shall be
to prepare and publish at such times as the
State Executive Committee (if one be ap-
pointed may deem advisable an address on be-
half of the people of Virginia to the people of
the United States.
Several other important matters have been
referred to the committee:
s'An address to the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States; another
address to the Senate and House of Represen-
tatives in Congress assembled from Colonel
Moore, of Rockbridge
ga series of resolutions submitted by Mr..
w. w. Hancock, of Chesterfield
GA resolution proposing committee to con-
fer with General Schofeld upon the propriety
of disarming the negroes Of the Commonwealth
and suppressing military drills among them,
and other matters connected with that subject.
"a resolution to the effect that this is a white
mans government, and that is the mission of
the Conservative party, North and South, to
preserve it as SUCH ea4 -
"a series Of resolutions adopted by a public
meeting in Hanovep. <afs
"A resolution that it is expedient for the
Convention to memorialize Congress on. the
subject OF our grievances, and also to address
the people OF the northern, western, and eastern
States on the same subject
| IS A rncolufion hv M, iT,..,. n.
that an address to the people of Virginia be
prepared by the committee and reported to the
Convention, and also a plan of organization for
| the State at large
All OF WHICH the committee have had under
consideration; but from the extent and -magni-
| tude of the topics presented, and the shortness
Of time which could be employed in maturing
| such measures as they suggest farther than
they are embraced in the former part of this
| report, the committee recommend that these
several matters be referred to the Central Exc
eutlve Committee Com should one be appointed, to
"All Of which the committee resnectfnllv
submit. Il. l. DANIEL, Chairman.
TUE RESOLUTIONS.
| The Convention took an the resolutions re.
ported by the committee, and thew were read
| by Mr.. j. K. Tucker their author), as follows:
Il. This Convention doth recognize that by
the results OF the late war slavery has been
| abolished andi doth declare that il is not
the purpose or desire of the people of Virginia
to reduce or subject again to slavery the people
emaneipated by the events of the war and by
the amendment to the Constitution of the Uni
ted States.
s2. This Convention doth declare that Vir-
glnia OF right should be restored to her federal
relations with the Government of the United
StatQ md h1f IF ~ Il -
of the people Of Virginia to violate or impair
her obligations to the Federal Union, but to
perform them in good faith.
%. This Convention doth solemnly declare
and assert that the people of Virginia are en-
titled to all the rights of freedom, and all the
guarantees therefor, provided by the Constitu-
ton of the United States; and they insist on
the same as unquestionahe; and that the said
Convention, which all are sworn to support,
does not justify the governing Of Virginia by
any power not delegated by it, nor ought she,
under it, to be controlled by the Federal Gov
eminent, except In strict accordance with it's
terms and limitations.
"A. This Convention doth declare, in the
language Of resolution adopted by public
meeting held at the Cooper Institute, in the
city of New York; chat the policy which con-
tinues to subject the people of ten States of the
Union to an irresponsible government carried
on by military power, is Inconsistent with the
express provisions of the Constitution of the
United States, and is subvefsiye of the funda-
mental ideas of our Government and of civil
liberty; and the object for which this great
wrong has been persisted in, as now being dis
closed to the people Of this country and to the
world-to wit, To subject the white people of
these States to the absolute supremacy, in their
local governments and in their representation
in the Senate and House Of Representatives, of
the black race just emerged from personal SER
vltude, Is abhorrent to the civilization of man.
kind, and involves US and the people Of the
northern States, In consequence of surrenderlng
third OF the Senate and one-quarter of the
House OF Representatives, which are to legis-
late over US, to the dominion of an organized
class of emancipated slaves, who are without
any OF the training habits, or traditions of self
government.
IS. This Convention, for the people Of Vir-
ginia, doth declare that they disclaim all hos
tlllty to the black population; that they SIN
cerely desire to see them advance In intelligence
and national prosperity, and are willing to ex-
tend to them liberal and generous protection.
| But that while, In the opinion OF this Conven-
ton, any Constitution of Virginia ought to
make all men equal before the law, and should
protect the liberty and property Of all, yet this
Convention doth distinctly declare that the gov
| CiutuCut VI lIIo OtdCeS anu OF Tue QHlOH WtIt
formed by white men to be subject to their con-
troll and that the suffrage should still be so
| regulated by the States as to continue the Fed
eral and State systems under the control and
direction of the white race
| IS. That in the opinion of this Convention
the people of Virginia will sincerely cooperate
with all men throughout the Union, of what
ever name or party, who will labor to restore
the Constitutional union of the States, and to
continue its government and those of the States
under the control of the whole race. =
The resolutions evidently met the hearty APP
prevail Of the Convention from the applause
with which their most striking passages were
received. At the conclusion of the reading,
On motion of Mr.. Weisiger, the vote was ia
ken upon them In a body, and they were unan-
imously adopted.
PLAN OF ORGANIZATION.
Mr.. johnson (Marmaduke) called for the
reading of the Plan of Organization reported
by the committee, and Mr. Baldwin 1.-THE author)
read it as follows:
I. a STATE COMMITTEE
| to consist of thrty-three members, nine of whom
shall be located in Richmond-viz.;
A Chief Director, who shall be chairman of
the committee, and shall, subject to its control,
have the chief direction throughout the State
Of all matters relating to organization, registra-
| tion and voting.
| Eight Associate Directors, who shall be mem
| bers of the committee shall act as aids to the
| Chief Director, and shall each, subject to his
| direction, have special charge of one congress
| sional district.