New-York tribune., 1867-07-27
FLORIDA.

THE REPUBLICAN STATE CONyENTION-ENTHUSI-
AsM or THE ELEGATES-sEPARATE ORGAN
IzATIoN OF THE BLACKS REPRoBATED-CON-
sERyATIsM.
Prom Our Special Correspondent
TALLAHASSEE Fla, July 10, 1867.
The Republican State Convention held here
asst Thursday and Friday nith and 18th was great
success 1t was apprehended that some disturbance
might occur more by reason OF the presence Of colored
delegates than from any malignant purpose to obstruct
the organization Of the Republican party It's anew
thing-a noveltyand bitter pill to swallow to see the
old slaves Of Florida planters walk quietly and with
decorous behavior the very chamber where the act
OF secession adopted In 1861 and there participate IN
full equality In the proceedings which go far to shape the
laws that shall govern their old masters Iherc were o.
delegates present in the Convention. OF whom more than
80 were coorcd Tho lobby Of the Representatives. Hall
was crowded with eager listeners mostly negro men
and women, while ex-Judge Of the u. > court
and ardent Rebel Ghat wasl' STOOD a,n,d MA
tho throng leaning against the window easement anu
pcturing the queer aud wonderful scene lheIe were
men present delegates TO TINS hrst i.tpnDlcah ON en-
ton In Florida and seated among to luiineI SNes
their ucghbor whose sterling loyalty cOst th'u 'n saC
rhcc o twenty years OF ordinary humah ne NIen 20 W
Union lover IN TINS country "as l. r, ~ & 90
tlon and the dread OF mnuf nj death There was one
who was surrounded by $40 heOel h'sngeT, % VII
blood hounds. and yet escaped to witness te
~ peace, and 20 help the ca.e oi esaDlshhg hcRuo
Marion Hamilton and Hllsboro' sent half dozen such
strong and eminent men TO this Convention, ana win
~
accounts and did their writing because NE mdseTs aaHa
Ilop ho,c 10 read erie. such one was delegate
The convention was called fo- the purpose Of organiz
Ing the Republican party IN the state The "unIccon,
-ouc of ~ Gov Mnr,In's misguided disciples, anNiousy
hoped FOR split into Two wings OF the party ms mas
a"d - MsvIy TwsfI who has written paternal advice
trf YORK haWG 30 hc,ii5U "a ass6tiln ~ Cen Cen
ton-a reaction 81 popular sentiment. aud the intent 20
ride into now power over the ruin, 9f Radical pro
gramnes. These gentlemen, with Mt. Dyke the editor
cic-B"i In ~ ST. % ,d i bov an - @ h
rest and hope division of the Republican power which
THE Convention might possibly produce.
out OF the 80 counties In Florida represented
u the Convention aud show the interest felt delegates
were present who came over 80 miles from southern
Florida. and amid all the pcrpleNing difficulties OF travel
n that part Of the state, reached the Capital worn out
ana exhausted like soldiers on IA hard march. There
never political Convention In this State assembled
characterized by such good order and harmony and such
luSucblc determination. Those men who bad formerly
suffered most at the hfnds of pcrseeung Rebels were
should guide the Republican policy IN Florida. And even
the coored declared their readiness bury the past
with al s horrible record Of oppression and wrong and
10 cultivate kindly feelings with Their old masters; yet
insisting wh on te caInescsS Oi the negro character
that IN the future liberty must be- secured aud Repubi
can pfncPles HeNMH AN beyond ihe nope Oh inb,Srsloni
VIM Brad"o oI Jhcks1nNllle VINO o9loitd preacher
declared that he was born Radical though he never
dared 10 IT, ! am an uucduCated man, standing
among educated r'iitiemen But my father was one OF
the hrst Representatives To the Legislature OF Georgia,
and 10 follow in his steps and 10 labor for the Re
publican party Tie Democratic party never dld me any
good yet, and never heard that Democratic Govern
"A
has freed whole race Inc OF our Iree gov
ernlncni laid by Abraham Lincoln, and all We have
10 do Is 10 build up upon that concrsone" James Page
OF Tallahassee another oo0red preacher said: am
thankful that We have been called hero 20 do something
that will last for all time hope We Will base our action
correct principles We have come here TO establish
platform upon which 10 build mp free party and |
hope all prejudice viii be laid aside and the plain truth
guide each man. These are the utcranCes of OF
the old slaves OF Florida who had rights that white
bound 10 respect" took their words literally
as they spoke them
This Convention, too made advance in Republican
sentiment which VIII insure the success OF the principles
Uf the party whenever they may grappc with the dOgas
caste and Of arisocrtc theories. The platform
delegate FROM Tallahassee said: 'Our interests are
dentcal, aud all aiming at the same thing God
brothers. and such should work In harmony together
We meet here not 10 buse each other To stir up strife
and dissensOn but 10 form platform upon which all the
oyal people stand aud We must begin by making
distinction between black and white, No war OF races
unless they who talk rocessy about IL bnng
u on" Ex-senator Iulee is very much concerned about
this war OF races lie accuses the Radicals OF forming
"ngger party" under the lead of shiftess political
frobooters, against which all the respectable" whites
and the old Demoerac army who are ia the white mWor-
ity will be arrayed. The Convention has emphatcay
destroyed the force Of this subtitle idea It's platform de-
nomced those who stu adhere TO obsOcte doctrines
and dead political issues" but welcomes TO the Repub-
errGs and pledge their good faith to sustain lis prnci
pies 1t cuts of all men who fought against the Govern
nent from eligibility t2 Weld political power nhtli they
platform the most sensible and seeing OF the old Rebel
leaders are eagerly seeking standing place fearing hat
reconstruction may "let them alOne,' or leave them
lowing were adopted
Res6ired That we are In favor Just and equitable
system Of taxation made light the necess0s OF the
Government will admit Of the internal ana material I'M
pr0yement of tho State OF well paid industry; OF home
stead wise, and liberal system by which each head OF
family may have material interest IN the SOIL OF aJusJ
aud enlightened school SYSTEM that all may share IN the
blessings OF educaOn OF no Invasion or the cvll or
individual rights OF any personi OF free people ana ree
Institutions controlled only by just ana NhtchIul Gov
elnlnent OF an immigration tO our state from all parts OF
the Union and OF the world.
ReSoired That while hold that those men who still
adhere to obsolete doctrines and dead political Issues
n To WELD the dcstnes OF the state or nation, we cor
dlaynvite 10 the ranks OF the great Republican party
all who acknowledge their errors ana honestly adopt our
principles, aud who will, with hdety support defend
aud protect tho Constitution and laws OF the United
states and tho union Of the states Hereunder
n ~ knight OF Columbia offered the following res0lu-
uoi, winch was unanimously passed: -,
heSOted That the thanks OF TINS convention are hereby
rendered TO Major.Gen. John Pope, commanding this
District, for tho efforts he has made 10 carry out the
policy Of Congress regards recOnstructon ana TINS
convention takes pleasure In assuring nm thal at M
times ne VIII receive the ENCOURAGEMENT ahd suppot vi
the unlOnoying men OF Florida IN us efforts 10 restore
our beloved State to her place IN the councils OF inc ma
ton.
The formation Of Conservative" party In Florida,
In the hope OF eventual overthrow or the tohgres
slOna policy Is confined 10 the eHorts OF DuI lcN
row minded demagOgues and has as yet no suohlahai
support. Yet repeated disturbances here IN UlVlhI
matters, have shown the existence OF suppresseu passion
malignant and Teycngeful In the extreme NONn,Io Lo
the rev native Southern men WHO Nolo ivy 49, a. -, o
Union 80 bitterly cursed as here They are looked upon
as hal0rs TO the Rebellion while Northern men Ieccvo
the respect due To oOhqleTOrs. radical state poteI
nent Will not remedy the wrongs key 70 pe coltleu
by the aYengng passion of these men, III tho NVNvVnt
lets up single inch tho power win W9n ~ h9iqs
them In subjection 10 IA tho military force only which IL
accomplishing the work of loyal reconstruction Remove
the troops, and God help the freedmen OK tho loyal