The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1867-12-25
NO. 81
Correspondence Of the Washington Chronicle
THE GEORGIA CONVENTION.

[Correspondence OF the Washington Chronicle.
TIE GEORGIA CONVENTION.
ATLANTA, Ga, Dec. IL.
The convention now assembled in this
city have begun, but not completed, their
work of organization The elements OF |
which il is composed are harmonious to .
greater extent than was hoped. 30 far from |
its giving promise ofplacing Georgia under
the dominion ofnegroes, rs has been tooIlshiy
asserted by the opposition press of the State, 4
there arc but thirty-eight negroes IN The
convention, and 50 far iron the white men
oi the State having been, as q mass, opp"s-
ed to its assembling, tits ascertained, f'nm
official returns, that more than 5000
white men of the $4,000 who registered
their names voted for convention, or with
in $4,000 in round numbers OF majority of
the white voters.
The delegates, with great unanimity, rep
resent that but for the pressure of public
sentiment among their white constituents,
even in the black belt Of the State, this large
number of white votes for the restoration of
Georgia to the Union would have been ia.
creased to a decided majority and it is con-
fidently believed here that such good consti-
tuition will be adopted for the government
of the State that the number Of those WIN
will oppose its ratification will be largcl, in
the minority.
The so-called Conservative convention
that lately assembled in Macon was a good
illustration of the practical working of the
reconstruction acts It was the object Of
those acts to exclude from participation in
the work OF rcconstructing the State such
persons in Georgia as have been prominent
political actors before and during the late
war. The rames of many of these excluded
men appear as appointecs to this opposition
convention; but the number Of these acia-
ally present was much less than the number
appointed The absence of some of the
most prominent of them is commendable.
The number of the disfranchised in the
State is comparatively small, and the major
ity of the voters is about 2,000 in favor of
the white race If any objection is found
against the inexperience of some of the
members of this convention, the fault lies ut
the door of the white persons themselves,
who in some instances did all in their pow
er to bring it into disrepute. 1t is far from
hcing true, however, that the convention IS
destitute of talent, or that it will not com-
phiC idtOt6oly Will bNstASS tnob nhs0
hitherto assembled in this State; and what
is lacking among the delegates in talent and
experience is more than made up in exalted
patriotism and true devotion to the Union.
As an illustration of this we refer to the
speeches of both the temporary president,
Mr.. Blodget, and the permanent president,
Mr.. Parrot. 3eaa asg
The delegates met in this city at the APP
pointed time Such cordial greetings -
Many are in Office for the first time in their
lives, and most were strangers to one anoti-
,er. 1t was quickly ascertained, from the
usual canvassings for the offices of the con-
yention, that there are nominally two parties
in the body which may be best dominated
\ by the League and the anti-L League That
there is really much difference OF sentiment
in these parties have been unable to discov-
er. What difference there may have been
in regard to the application to the members
and officers of the body of the test oath
seems to have been quickly obliterated by
the e all-prevailing sentiment discovered
among the members of moderation and
charity. It is not to be understood from
this that the convention is not disposed to
secure for itself and for its friends the advan-
tage which they have gained. That would
he contrary to human nature itself; aud in
expectation that the convention would pro-
vide. As far as possible, in the distribution
of its offices, for it's friends and supporters,
an unsual number of applicants for each Of
fee have presented themselves. The party
which sent the delegates here 10 in the mai
ority in all, or nearly ell the counties of the
State, and this majority, it Is expected, will
be largely increased when the time for the
ratification of the constitution comes. Pas
sion will then measurably have subsidized !;
vituperation will have ceased from sheer cx-
haustion of the abusive epithets Of the En-
glish language, and with rejoicing hearts
many will vote for ratification who have be-
come converted to the measure, 0rwhO have
hitherto been deferred by lack sof moral
courage, from doing what they believed to
be their duty.
+ The convention assembled Ia this city he
cause there was no sentiment IN the oommun-
ity of Milledgeville to give it support. Here
there is, and such sentiment is worth more
for insuring the good treatment of the mem-
hers than regiment Of soldiers; and II, in
the future, the property holders of Milledge-
vile shall suffer by the removal Of the capi-
tol of the State to this place, they will have
only to thank the intolerance Of their city
press for the damage they may sustain.
It must not be supposed from the kind
feelings expressed by the members Of this
body toward the eFring and unrepentant.
| that there is lack of firmness and determine
ton in the body. The future may be safely
left to reveal how Ear such charge can be
sustained. It is the first duty Of all persons,
bodies, and governments to throw around
themselves protection. and hesitate not to
say that the convention Of the people of
Georgia, now assembled in this city, will
prove itself amply adequate ~ the accom-
plishment of that object.
| During the three days past the convention
has elected a temporary president, Mr.. Fos-
ter Rlodget, ol Augusta, . permanent pres
dent, Mr.. ]. R. Parrot. of Caitersville, a sec
retary, Mr., P. NJ Shelblcy, Of Rome, and an
assistant secretary. Mr. A. T. Marshall, Of
Forsythe. Ga. Two of the officers the
'doorkeeper and messenger -are coinred men
Rey, Mr.. Prettyman, Of tic Methodist Epis-
copal Church, was ohosen chaplain
The oolored members seem quite ct home
IN. tho body, and take their fult share in its
deliberations. Some Of them eviuce great
intelligence and acumen. The white mem.
hers are necessarily thrown IN contiguity to
them, and seem not to mind the proximity
as much as was apprehended.
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