Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-12-17

uls8TuCe. W. prefer military rule 20 the deS-
potism Of an ignorant rabble And we wish
to declare, with earnestness and emphasis,
that, come what may, we aud those We repre-
seut can never agree that this shall be any
other than white rsan's 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
consenting TO her own degradation.
The chair then appointed a committee to
prepare business for the action of the COnven-
tiOn, which was originally composed of the
following gentlemen =
Messrs. r. T. Daniel, 2. Turner, h. MT.
Hunter, VIM. Martin, w. r. Staples, John
j. Baldwin, Thos. s. Bocock, James N. Viii.
cox, L. N. Campbell, G. W. Boiling, R. II.
Whitehead, John GOOde, Jr., and john r.
Tucker.
ThiI committee was subsequently enlarged
by the addition Of the following names:-
Mossrs. o. B. Pinney, of Accomac; John
Letcher, of Rockbridge; Fayette McMullen,
of Smythe Moses Walton, Of Shenandoah
w. w. Fleming, of Highland Nathaniel
Alexander, of Mecklenburg; Pr. Samuel B.
KellO, of Southampton, and L. W. Massie.
On the second day, this committee report
ed series of resolutions which were adopted
unanimously as fOllOws:-
First-We recognize that by the result of
the war slavery has been abolished, and it is
not the desire of the people of Virginia to re-
duce to slavery again a people emancipated
by the events of war aud by an amendment
to the constitution of the United States.
The second asserts the right of Virginia to
be restored to the Union, aud declares her
intention, in good faith, to perform her duties
to the Union.
The third is a protest against governing
Virginia in any way not defined in the fed
, eral constitution.
The fourth adopts the language of the res
olution adopted at Cooper Institute, in New
York, that military government is subversive
Of the fundamental ideas of our government,
and its object, which is to subject the South
ern States to the rule of a race Just emerged
| from slavery, is abhorrent to the civilization
| of mankind and to the Northern people, in
surrendering. as it does, one-third of the
| Senate and One-fOurth of the House of Rep
resentatives which are to legislaie over us to
the dominion of an organized class of eman-
cipated slaves, who are without any of the
training habits or traditions Of selfGovern-
ment.
The fifth disclaims all hostility to the black
! population, and asserts that tho people of
Virginia sincerely desire to see their adj
vancement in intelligence, and are willing to
| extend them liberal protection; but while
any constitution adopted by the State should
make all equal before the law, yet this con-
vention distinctly declares that the govern
ments of the States and of the Union were
! formed by white men, to be subje to their
control aud suffrage, and should still be reg
ulated so as to continue both under the con
| troll and direction of the white raco
The sixth declares that the people of Vir>
GINA will cooperate with al men throughout
the Union, of whatever name or party. who
will labor to restore the constitutional Union
of the States, and continue its government
! under the control of the white race.
Resolutions were adopted authorizing the
central committee to take steps for testing
the constitutionaiity of the reconstruction acts
in the Supreme Court of the United States.
In the discussion of this resolution General
lmbOdeu, who has sued out a mandamus
against Gen. Schofeld, stated that his case,
| with similar ones in Alabama and Missis>
sippi, would be carried to the Supreme Court
Resolutions that the object of the convention
! was TO organize n white mans party, and no
subjects foreign to this should be discussed,
was laid on the table. The president was
authorized to appoint committee to prepare
| an addresstO the people of Virginia and the
United States, and the convention adjourned
sine de.
In pursuance OF the resolution that COM
mittee be appointed to prepare an address to
the people of Virginia and the United States,
the chairman made the following appoint
meuts WIN. c. Rives, r. NJ. T. Hunter,
John Januey, James Marshall, and J. Ran
dolph Tucker.