The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-04-19

Convention met again this morning, and adj
journed finally this evening. The delegates
assembled IN the African Church in full mum.
bers. The proceedings were at times of an ex-
citing nature, there being wide division of
sentiment among the members as to the pro-
Rriety Of adopting resolutions iavoring coudsca-
tiOn Of hebel property. Resolutions to that
effect were finally, after warm debate, referred
TO committee.
The cOlored men had nearly all the talking to
themselves, and in most instances showed
marked superiority of expression and insight
into political matters over their white confreres
who occupied the attention OF the Convention
on the preceding day.
The platform will be found embraced in the
following address. ConfscatiOn has q majority
of supporters, but the more conservative and
intelligent coored men deem it unwise to urge
extreme radical measures as they fear it would
tend to disrupt the whole parity
The Platform.
FELLOW CITIZENS OF VIRGINIA:-On the 18th
day OF April, 1861, convention, which had
been elected by large majority of Union men,
was, In this capital OF the Old Dominion, over
awed by band of volunteer conspirators in
the interest of slavery and treason, and driven
TO pass an ordinance OF secession, to Jrample
the flag Of our country in the dust, and to bring
upon us all the horrors of a civil war, which for
four years was waged with remorseless cruelty
on the part of our enemies, uneqnalled in the
annals of any civilized people on the face OF the
globe. II was mark ed with ferocity such as no
human beings could manifest who had not
learned their lessons and formed their char
acteIs under the land-nonop policing, labor
hating, man selling and woman whipping in
stitutions of our slavery-cursed Southern States.
The starvation of prisoners OF war, eassasSina-
tion OF coiOred soldiers, the firing of peaceful
towns and cities filled with helpless women and
children, the spreading of pestilence among the
poor, and the martyrdom of the kindesC and
best of Presidents Abraham Lincoln, are
among the peculiar atrocities which the faithful
historian has been compelled to charge upon
the leaders and authors OF our American Rebel
lion. But such consummate Wlckedness, in a
world governed by an overruling and benehcent
Providence, could not triumph, and was only
permitted to exhibit Its maligntty in order to
make its guilt more manifest and therefore,
more abhorred by the wise and good, and its
retribution and overthrow more signal and
complete. We can now say, almost in the lam
guage of the delivered Israelites-
The horse and his rider are whemed e in the sea-"
On the sixth an nniversary of that day of wrath
anu tOlly the loyal people OF Virginia have as
sembed, under the auspices OF loyal Congress
of the United States, to congratulate each other
on our common deliverance, to thank the repre-
sentatives of the American people for the eman-
cipation and entranchisement Of our colored
citizens, and to consider our own duties with
reference to the future government Of the State.
While arraigning as we do, AT the bar of public
opinion, the Catalines of this great piracy,
let it be distinctly understood that we
do not Sssal those Just sr al an1 d patriGic i
could with safety 70 their persons and
estates, and who from their domestic
and business relations not being able to escape
from the power of the r ebe lion, seemed for
time to yield to its violence, but who, always at
heart for the Union, are now wiling 10 desert
the lead OF men hostile to the principles of the
Declaration of the Independence of the United
States, and to place themselves upon the repub-
Iican platform of universal liberty and equality.
To such we say, let the past be forgotten, and,
like band of brothers, let all our contests be
only to excel in mutual efforts of Cancellation,
and in trying to carry forward the greatest and
hest mans for promoting the material mental
nj whole DeODle.
testing as do the authors or the work
of blood and crime, we would make
and never involve the Innocent with the
guilty. The great Republican party of the
country which is but another name for
the Government is so strong that it can we'll
afford TO be magnanimous, aud will never in
most guilty. II will certainly not harm those
VINO have under duress, been compelled against
their will to serve its enemies. Nor will it
regard any act as criminal which was not
voluntary and deliberate. Nor should those
be ignored who were eonseriPted INTO tne Rebel
armies, or who paid only forced taxes and
loans TO support the Rebellion. For the
same reason no disqualification can posi- bly,
Rebellion, and with hearty love of the Union
may, in obedience to the Divine command of
the twenty.hfth chapter OF Matthew, and
TO the hottest feelings of nature, have
ministered to some OF the six great physical
necessities OF our common humanity-hunger,
thirst, nakedness, homelessness, sickness ana
slavery, though the persons relieved may have
been our worst enemies. Such acts are re-
ouired by religion, and are in every great day
of trial and fnaG judgment the surest tests of
human virtue and OF service to God and our
fellow men. We cheerfully'welcome all these
good citizens 10 our hearts and to the stern
duties which we are all now called to discharge.
our slaveholding and land monopolizing aris-
tocracy, who have heretofore ruled the State,
have not only killed, banished or prescribed
those who at any time boldly declared the truth
OF freedom and equality, but have filled our
code of laws with injustice and inequality, i'm.
posing the great burdens OF making and repair
ing the roads and highways, not as in the more
Northern and civilized States upon the pro-
nerty and farms they benefit, or upon the land
owner by whose door they pass, but in q large
degree upon the poor laborer who lives in some
neighboring hovel. In order to relieve land
taxation, eXorbitant poll lltaXes and license.
taxes are demanded, expressing the poor, and
depressing every branch Of trade and all indus.
trial occupations, until the most of our legiti.
mate commerce is g driven rdel 10 other and wiser
hensible, Instead of prOportioning punish.
mentand accountability, like the Divine law tC
intelligence and capacity, they have reversed
this natural order, and impose the penalty O
death upon many acts Wnen committed by the
moor and Ignorant, at inc same time their edu
cation was declared criminal, while the same
mept IL committed by persons Of higher socia
Standing, With a penny wise aud pounC
foolish policy they have igpSTsd nt1d t9s great
cation of the people is the noblest economy am
Ihe cheapest national defense, and have ne
elected the great duty ana lntefest OF states
for public education, Now, then, we shoul
learn wisdom from these errors OF the past, an
in future adopt system OF common aud fre
Doar and by the eX perience of the ostctVillze
and enlightened States. Nor should we shrin
from collecting the necessary taxes from rel
snd nav teachers Let us look for moment
the amount of ignorance by Wnicn we are su
ronnded and the terrible evils II nas already II
nlosJsa o00 yIoen and women Ofthe white race OV