The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-03-06
vlR INA.
our RICHMOND CORRESPONDENCE.

~
Of Governor Pierpent-He Reviews the Con-
dition Of the Sfate> and Recommends the Ac-
ccptance Of the Terms of Reconstruction.
RICHMOND Va, March L. 1861.
Under the call OF Governor Pierpont the General As
semby met this morning In extra session, whom the
message Of the Governor the recent act Of Congress
for the more efficient government Of the rebel States"
read.
The Governor says during the Of 1850 for
President and vice-Pres,dent but few advocated the
secession Of the State the Union On the 18th day
Of February in the year convention met 1t the
Capitol The subject OF Union and secession was then
before them, and two-tkrds OF the votes cast
were for the Union A leading paper declared that
the State should be dragged out Of the Union,''
and in seventy.nve days afterwards the ordinance Of
secession vas adopted and cvh war inaugurated He
the history Of the past two years the policy OF
the President and It's effects the South ana says that
after pardons and amnesty began 10 be freely granted
tons inaugurated calculated 10 stir and niame
the passions OF the people with hatred for the North
and the United States government Two freedmen had
fallen by violence, and their had scarcely been
noticed by the officers Of the law. The Governor con-
tonai amendment That opportunity is past, and
have now 70 conform our action TO the terms proposed
acts heretofore done the people OF Virginia have
placed themselves In condition in which the
ss The o. ss may Dc In
this event the people lose their character as
body polite and each stands alone his ndvidu
| atty When this takes place the Commonwealth Is
dead and the tenure with which the lands held dies
with it. When state is destroyed by superior power
In the cOnqueror annuls the and statute
| laws OF state and substitutes laws their
place This theory existed In Virginia during the
Public speeches made and newspaper articles
ten TO stimulate people desperation n the
failed would lose their slaves their property
would be conscaied and divided among federal soldiers
and the coored people, On this theory the very air is
rife with the rumor that most stringent Confiscation
bin Is now pen s1 IN wsanns,oo 70 % put
from this threatened danger. II there is any
truth in human testimony, threetourths Of
| the OF Virginia. farmers, mechanics and
merchants well disposed any people in the
nation. The Of irritation comes from the few The
tors disturbers of the public peace think the only
mode Of securing tranquility is for the Legislature,
requirements OF the law and adapt ourselves
the state Of affairs at once have confidence that
conferred on them and will act varv much like those
who enjoy the franchise by voting for their friends II
proper that the proposed convention shall be ordered
i by the General Assembly. Any other mode would DO
irregular and DO productive Of disorder and result
in the worst consequences hope you will not shrink
God grant peace distracted State and give
confidence to = Responding people
The appearance OF the General Assembly on this occa
sion extremely impressive, solemn and dignhed.
deep silence peFvaded the entire body. The asles
and galleries we're Glled spectators who also APP
precatod the great about to be discussed
which depends the future Of Virginia When the Clerk
movement 'ss1~ among 't the as. assemSiage ensued
sigh Of evident relief, il not satisfaction,
up from the entire crowd, ,s and the sdnres
grave and earnest was more composed and seemingly
much more pleasing, than one would anticipate M.
merUus propositions then introduced some OF the
members wishing TO afford them opportunity
consult their constituents this subject before taking
action upon It. This was opposed and promptly voted
down.
Mr. Judd Turner Of Rappahannock county,
tive speech in support Of the message; he opposed
any recess Acion AND speedy action, was demanded
calmly easeiy and dispsssionasiy taking ample time,
but 70 act on 1t II once BE appealed TO them, they
would thor ruined State from further caamitiss
and BY at calling convention, accept the terms
Of the military bn which would ere long be enforced
This speech secured the vote against recess II
was followed by others in the same snn and without
Senate similar to that Of the House.
Every circumstance shows far better feeling here
minds the military bill has been as good as accepted
Such state Of affairs not only pleasant but cheering
Virginia vii now lead the way ana her Scs,on VIII de-
such favorable auspices restored union and once more
happy and era in the history Of our country
may be looked for at an early day.
The Arrest Of Five 1Tnsisrrates in Norfolk
for Evasion of the Provisions Of the Civil
Rights BlII-Dccisi0n OF United states Com.
missioner Foster, &c.
NORFOLK March 2 1867.
Tho feeling Of indignation among Of the leading
citizens OF Norfolk which suddenly aroused by the
arrest OF five magistrates Of the Corporation Court who
bear highly creditable and worthy position in the
muny has quietly subsidcd and entire acquiesccnce
10 the decision OF Commissioner Foster manifested
throughout the city. The journals Of the CITY,
what unexpectedly, have abstained from that bitter
spirit which usually characterzes the Southern press
when questions have arisen respecting the legality OF
certain OF present Congress- and have seemed
will oh
unknown complainant in the case Mr. J. c. Jones, who
made the deposition before the United States Commits
sioner.
The opinion Of Commissioner b. B. Foster, which
yesterday morning the final hearing Of the case
is spoken Of very avorably by the most bitter
enemies Of the BILL and the local papers award 70 him
impartialty and enency exhibited under the crcum
stances which they hardly expected from the grave
nature Of the offence
The Commissioner opened his opinion In Remaining
upon the unpleasant character Of the duty he called
upon perform consideration Of The personal and
social worth to which the respondents entitled and
though the claim viii be allowed he recognised eny
the duty dsvoved upon him BY the requirements OF his
once. He then says
' appears in evidence that on the 25th Of February
ne respondents sitting o the Court Of The oorpcr,oo
examination pending before than, one Of Hammond
charged with grand larceny II seems that argued
extent the basis upon which decision predcstsd
that the statute OF Virginia In relation the testimony
Of colorcd does authorize them 70 appear
witnesses similar that then 1t the barr but the
act known ~ the Civil Rights bill, although referred TO-
not produced called for, and that the court
signed no reason for ie decision. IL also appears
that the evidence excluded would not II
admitted have varied the result Of the investigation
and that the complaint this Is made by a
the instance Of the persons whose rights alleged
have been infringed upon" He recited the various
points Of Law bearing upon their oence and with much
feeling concluded - follows"I am compelled 10 the
conclusion that offence has been committed and that
the parties chargeable with Il arc before me have
but coursc. This 10 BY means aggravated
case and the injury done The bensnciares Of The Civil
Nights bill n remote and indirect case Of
fewer circumstances indicative Of evil full In
clination 70 violate IT, provisions. where less
disposition 70 distinguish oppressvey against
colored persons was manifested, which should
yet DO within the purvew Of the BILL hardly be Inn
sgined II err In what have decided 70 DO am