The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-12-18
The Conservative Convention.

Vice Presidents Hon. Il. NJ. 4. Hunter,
Hon. S. Med Moore, Hon. IS Bocock, Hon..
r. S. Preston, Hon T. S. Flournoy, Gen. ].
L. Kemper, G. W. Newton, Esq, Hon. w.
II. Macfarland, Col Geo. W. Boiling, Wood
Bouldin, Esq.
Secretaries-Henry K. Ellyson, w. r.
Coleman, james Mcdonald, and j. Bell Big
ger.
The President, on being conducted to the
chair by Messrs. Funsten and Turner, said
! Gentlemen of the convention: thank you
for the honor you have done me in calling
me to preside over a convention which en-
bodies so Target share of the virtue, intelli-
genoe, and patriotism Of Virginia.
We have assembled, gentlemen, under cir
eumstances of peculiar interest and solemn
ty. This is no convention to advance the
interests Of a mere party. Thank Heaven,
if the late fearful conflict has done no other
good, it has efaced all old party lines and
isubdued all old party animosities Wecome
together not as Wings or Democrats, but as
Yirginians earnestly devoted to the promo.
ton Of the interests and honor Of our COM
mon mother. Il s,.a aS.ss5 f5s fa5
Nor have VIC come together in any factlous
sp;rito Or with any aggressive purpose.
. Whatever opinions individual members Of
this Convention may have entertained in the
past as to the right Of a State to Withdraw
from the Union, think [ may safely affirm
that they have been abandoned as impracti-
cable The questions arising out Of those
opinions have been referred to the arbitra-
lnent Of arms, and having been decided ad-
on Poo A. +bo,, hound
honor, as well as impeled by interest, to stand
by the award.
The people Of Virginia now desire repose,
and they earnestly seek a 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 country are impaired,
and our Liberties imperiled by the longer cons
tinuance Of the present unhappy strifes, and
we seek restoration Of the Union as the
most efficient remedy for all the evils OF which
we complain.
When the war ceased we were told that if
We annuled our ordinances ofsecession, and re.
pudiated the Confederate debt, and perfected
the emancipation Of our slaves by adopting
the constitutional amendment, we would be
restored to our constitutional rights 70 these
conditions we promptly needed, because they
involved no sacrifice of our sclfrespect and
were Intended by no national degradation
4 We have faithfully fulfilled all these condi-
| tions, and yet our rights are withheld. May
| we not, under these circumstances, appeal to
| the justice and good faith Of the North for
the redemption Of the promises thus made
| to us
Looking to events which have happened III
other Southern States, the people Of Virginia
| have been led to fear that policy is to be
inaugurated here which tends, if it be not
/ designed, to subvcrt 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 humani-
ty--fases to the blood which. courses through
/ our Feins-fi,lse 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 a calamity
| We hope our fears may be unfounded.-
We hope we may be spared this attempted
degradation: But it is the.part of prudence
/ to guard against all contingencies 1t is for
lllis p0I Pose talt VIC have Aleo ~ Take eo1usel
together to-day We wish with one united
Isvoice 10 appeal to the patriotic people of the
/ North TO come to our relief and stay the
hands Of those who would Cypress and de-
grade US: @s ss5 siaifa 10 @s
7 Ne desire further to perfect our organize
ton, 50 that all who desire that this shall
continue .5te be a white mans government
may be able to act IN .coneert and by one
vigorous and united EFFORT save ourselves from
| rum and disgrace We prefer military rule
I to the despotismg OF an ignorant sabbie And
we wish to declare with earnestness and em-
phasis, that, come what may, we and those
we represent can never agree that this shall
pc any other ll than white mans government
Our rights may be Wrested fro from US BY VIC.
lence but We wall never ne agree that; our proud
I'old mother shall pc presented N the attitude
i4ot consentln9g to her own Degradation s
THE. SECOND DAYS PROCEEDINGS, eas5e'
Convention called to. order by the presi-
dent, and alter prayer, by Rev. lIr Peterkin,i
ithes business committee, made their report,
which Was adopted Yunani mously y.
~ They reported plan of general organiza-
tion Of the Conservative voters Of the State,
and advised thata committee Of five be ap.
pointed to prepare and publish an address.
L y i { r