Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1867-05-15
RECONSTRUCTION.
The PetersburZh ReSOIutiOns-RhIi
and Black in Council.
From the Richmond Wing, April 22.I

and Black in Council.
from the Richmond Whig. April 81
We call the attention of our readers
10 the following platform of princi-
pies" adopted without a dissenting
voice." by the mass meeting of white
and colored citizens of Petersburgh,
held last Thursday evening on Court
House square
l. That We agree to accept and per-
form in good faith the terms and con-
ditions prescribed by the Congress of
the United States, as the terms and
conditions upon which Congress has
agreed to restore Virginia to her place
in the Union.
2. That we recognize and accept as
an essential part of said terms and con-
ditions, the proposition that the polit-
ical power of the State, which has here
tofore been welded by white men alone
shall henceforth be possessed and exer-
cised by white and black men alike.
8. That we will, therefore, insist that
a new Constitution shall be framed for
Virginia, which shall provide hal all
men white or black, without reference
to previous condition of servitude, shall
be perfectly equal before the laws, both
in respect to political privileges and
power, and of civil rights and that
all laws creating distinctions or differ
ences of any sort between persons of
different races shall be unconstitu-
tional, null ana VOID.
4. That we will support no other can
didate for the Convention who will not
pledge himself to carry out in good faith
the foregoing propositions and to Sc.
cure their adoption as part of the fun
damental laws of Virginia, we will CO.
operate cordially with all good men,
white or black. who honestly desire
the result.
5. We invite the colored men of Pc
tersburgh, freedmen and the born free
alike, to join US, to attend our political
meetings, to participate in our delibera.
tions, and express freely their. opinions
and wishes and we assure them that
they shall receive all the consideration
and respect to which they are entitled,
as equal participants with US in polit-
ical power and legal rights.
Mr.. Lyons explained that these res
olutions mean, among other things:
l.. That white men and black men
shall vote upon the same and equal
terms. and none other.
2. That white men and black men
shall hold Office upon the same and
equal terms, and o n other.
3. That no tax shall be assessed upon
a colored man unless a similar tax is
assessed upon the whites.
4. That not one dollar of the public
money shall be appropriated for theed
ucation of q white child unless another
dollar is appropriated alongside of it
for the education of a black child.
5. That there may be no difference or
distinctions between persons of differ
emit races, except such as the God of
nature has created, and such as the
rules of p~oliteness and usages of soci-
ETY., and the unfettered common sense
of mankind shall establisd and enforce,
without the aid of laws.
To those who lag behind events and
are resolved that they will learn moth
ing and do nothing, these resolutions
may appear too strong. But by men of
practical sagacity, who grasp the sit
uation as they find it, and utilize such
advantages as it offers, these resolutions
will be accepted and approved. The
political powers and privileges of the
colored people are the same that are
enjoyed by the whites and those of
US who hold back, refusing to accept
the fact and to cooperate with the new
political element, are not only behind
the times but impracticsble and I'M
friendly to public tranquility. The res
olution which declares I'VE will coop
crate cordially with all good men, white
or black" grasps the great idea, with
out which there must be discord, strife
perhaps ultimate conflict between
the conservative original Union men,
the colored people and the Southern
whites. This is the idea that we have
to put forward in successive articles as
embodvinp the true policy.