The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-12-12

upon he thus addressed the ConVensioh
Gentlemen of the Convention, II thank
YOU for the honor you have done me III
calling me to preside over aConventi0n
which embodies so large @ share OF tae
virtue, intelligence, and PATRIOTISM u
ginia. Under
circumstances of peculiar interest," Oh" ad
solemnity. This is no Convention W ~. ~
vance the interests Of mere p aaa;t
Thank Heaven, if the late tearfu1 conn III.
has done no other good, it has euaseu o.
old party lines and subdued all olu pa y,
irrftations. We come together no! 90
wings or Democrats, but as virglniahs'
earnestly devoted to the promotion OF Ine
interests and honor of our common Hoteei'
Nor have we come together in any lac-
tious spirit or with any aggressive purpose .
Whatever opinions individual members
of this Convention may have entertained
in the past as to the right of state 10
Withdraw from the Union, think may
safely affirm that they have been aDan-
doned as impracticable. The questions
arising out of those opinions have been
referred to- the arbitrament of arms, and
having been decided adversely, all now
feel that they are bound in honor, as well
as impelled by interest, to stand by the
award.
The people of Virginia now desire re-
pose, and they earnestly seek q restoration
of their constitutional relations to the
Union as the best means of affording it.
They feel, too, that the material interests
of all parts Of our widely-extended coun-
try are impaired and our liberties i'm
perilled by the longer continuance Of the
present unhappy strifes, and we seek a
restoration of the Union as the most eff
Gent remedy for all the evils of which we
complain.
When the war ceased we were told that
if we annulled our ordinances of seces-
sion, and repudiated the Confederate debt,
and perfected the emancipation of our
slaves by adopting the constitutional
amendment, We would be restored to our
constitutional rights. To these conditions
we promptly acceded, because they in
volved no sacrifice of our self-respect and
were attended by no national degradation.
We have faithfully fulfilled all these con-
ditions, and yet our rights are withheld.
May we not, under these circumstances, ap-
peal to the justice and good faith of the
North for the redemption of the promises
thus made to us2
Looking to- events which have hap
pened in other southern States, the people
of Virginia have been led to fear that
policy is to be inaugurated here which
tends, fit be not designed, to subvert our
whole social fabric and to bring the land
of Washington, Henry, Jefferson, Madison,
and Marshall, under the dominion of an
alien and inferior race. We should be
false to all the instincts Of humanity
false to the blood which courses through
our veins-false to every obligation OF duty
to ourselves, our kindred, and our country,
if we did not earnestly protest against and
seek to arrest so fearful calamity.
We hope our fears may be untOunded.
We hope we may be spared this attempted
degradation. But it is the part of pru-
dence to guard against all contingencies.
1t is for this purpose that we have met to
take counsel together to-day. We wish
with one united voice to appeal to the pa
,riotic people of the North to come to our
relief and stay the hands of those who
would Cypress and degrade US.
We desire, further, to perfect our organ
ization, so that all who desire that this
shall continue to be white mans govern
ment may be able to act in concert, and
by one vigorous and united effort save our
selves from ruin and disgrace. We prefer
military rule to the despotism of an igno-
rant rabble. And we wish to declare, with
earnestness and emphasis, that, come what
NAV, we and those we represent can never
agree that this shall be any other than a
white mans government. Our rights may
be wrested from us by violence, but we
will never agree that our proud old mother
shall be presented in the attitude of con-
senting to her own degradation.
Mr.. STUART, who was warmly applauded
during his address, having concluded, the
Vice Presidents were invited to seats
and, having taken them, presented an array
of talent, dignity Of character, and imposing
personal presence, that has been rarely
equalled anywhere.
The calling of the roll was resumed and
concluded. The following is the
LIST OF DELEGATES.
Accomnc.-O B. Finney, VIM. S. Fontaine.
AmherSt.-Jesse E. Adams, Beverly Il. Wor.
than, Z. D. Tinsey, J. G.. Jefferson, 4. a.
7 II. Muben, 81. P. Morris, c. H. Rucker,
Thomas A Brown, N. X. Trout, 5. Il. Wor-
than, r. b. Workman, John d. Davis, j. W.
Dt Tnpomatto o. D. 1sbel, Thos S Bocock,
Aileqhany.-J. White. John L. Irwin, T.
McAlster.
bert, George R. Shinn, Benjamin F. Price.
An,elia-F. R. Farrar. G.. A. Miller, w. T.
Webster, R. F. Taylor, L: E. Harvie, 5. S.
Weisiger, DR.. R. Wood, 7. Z. Whitworth, J.
A. Miller, 2. F. Boissieu, DR.. w. j. Chea-
than, Dr. Monroe Bannster.
AlbemaTIe.-T. j. Randolph, r. w. N. No
land, A P. Abel, T. S. Parrish, M. Green
Peytou, James Q. SouIhall, Thomas L. Pres
tom w. w. Minor.
bert Cowan, Bolivar Christian, w. f. Smith,
J. M. McCue H. G.. Guthrie, John b. Bald
win, G.. P. Baker, Q. r. Mason. Z: W: Bagby,
Richard Cattlet, H: M. Bell, w. 5. McChest-
Lynn, j. DOrsay Hanger, George a; Bruce,
R. Many, A. H. H. Stuart, J. E. Guy, DR..
Samuel Kennedy, A. M. CARRIER, Jr.
Bland-H. w. Cox, William N. Hartman, A.
BaM.SJ. A. McClung, c. P. Bryant H: N.
Richards, J. L. Eubank, Joseph Mayse, Geo.
gruns,oick.-s. Hicks, E. R; TuTnbull, F.
DR.. A. (. Haskins, R. S. Powell, F. E. Blu.
ford, B. B. Wilkes, W. II. T.. Merritt d. }.
BroadnaX.
Buckingham.-E. w. Hubbard, J. B. Flick
lin, r. T. Hubbard, Jr., Thomas F. Perkins:
Buchanan William P. Cecil, ). A. w.
Smith.
Bedford ID. D. Raymond, S. L: Dunton, E.
@. Burks, William H. Wilson, G. Pate, James
O. Hensley, James F: Johnson, Thomas +.
Munford, Colonel A. H. Campbeu.
Boteto,ut.-H. G.. Snyder, Lewis Ltnkenho-
ker, f. B. Miller, ]. N. Miller, James H. Bin
ford, H. Nj. Beckley, DR.. J. r. Goodwin,
Thomas d. Houston, John T. Anderson, W.
A. Glasgow, w. T. Patton, j. Bunting, Ed
mond Pendleton, Green James, Jacob Haney,
G. NJ Reynolds, George w. Wilson, Jr., w.