The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-11
southern Conssrvatism.

from Ule ~. r. It7neS.
The opening proceedings of the Georgia
Conservative Convention, as reported in the
Macon journals, show how obstinately the
Southern opponents Of reconstruction resist
the logic of events, and how unwisely they
seek to better their position. The remarks
of Mr.. B. H. Hill, the President are a. key
note to the spirit in which body, locally in
fluential, enters upon the task of resistance
to the Congressional plan. Nothing is con-
ceded as a consequence of the war; nothing
said that looks like acceptance of the altered
circumstances of the time. All is bravado
and defiance. The same temper obtains yet
more emphatic expression in the speech of
General Wright, who counselled organization
to defeat the proposed Constitution at the
polls. "They did not make the fight to pre-
serve the purity of the ballot" he is reported
to have said, "but for the great principle
which underlies the foundation of this Govern
ment--that this is a white mans Government.
Rouse ~ he exclaimed, orally and fight on
this ISSUE"
Higher than this the conservatism of Georgia
appears unable to rise. Protesting that it has
been fully misrepresented and cruelty misun-
'derstood, it nevertheless makes no conceal
ment of its desire to reestablish a white
supremacy as absolute, politically, as that
which existed seven years ago. Professedly
outraged by the legislation which confers
power on the freedmen, it evinces no disposi-
tion to comply in any respect with the re-
quirements of the policy which afirms the
civil and political equality of the races. No
modification of conditions is asked-only an
entire reversal of the policy to which Congress
is pledged. No idea of compromise is pro-
pounded-only demand that the opponents
of Congress should dictate its course. That
the Conservatives of Georgia are able, as
General Wright declares, to vote down the
Convention and Illustrate all that has been
done under the law, is proof OF anything
rather than negro supremacy. And as the
same fact has been asserted in Virginia and
other of the Southern States, we must con-
clude that white supremacy remains, not
withstanding the enfranchising feature of the
Reconstruction acts. ri
1t is this imperious determination not to
comply with the requirements Of the North
| which deprives Southern conservatism of SYM
| pathy, and justifes legislation that would else
| be inexcusable. The Macon Convention,
although the latest, is but one of many illus
| trations of the impracticable temper and aims
| of those at the South who oppose the law.
| They refused to ratify the Constitutional
| Amendment, mild and withal generous as it
| was they refuse now to avail themselves of the
| opportunity of reorganizing local governments
| because the enfranchised freedmen share with
them the privilege, and they proclaim pur-
pose to struggle to the last for the doctrine
'that this is a white mans government"
What can be done in Congress with or for q
class who thus assert the authority of CON
| querors, and systematically obstruct the ma
ohinery by which the South may be brought
back into the UnionY What hope is there fer
! the moderate influences that would remove
| the penalties of the law--what chance for the
| good feeling that would so revise the new
Constitutions as to eliminate traces of hard
ship--if they whom this intervention is in
tended to benefit arrogantly reject all terms
not in harmony with their dictation2
When a convention asserts as its funda-
mental maxim ''that this is Government Of
color and race" it does much towards forfeit
ing its right to be heard in political discussions
| which have been remoulded by the events o.
the war. 1t is idle to dispute the legal equality
which forces more potent than speeches OF
| resolutions have established. And 1t is moi
less idle to look for help as against black
rule when the avowed object of those who
denounce it is to establish supremacy based OF
4 color.