Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-12-18
The Virginia Conservative Convention.

htCHMOHD, Oeceulptr IL.
The Conservative Convention of this State,
Assem- bled in the Theatre this morning, eight
hundred delegates being present. a ! parts
Of the State are represented. Hon. A II. Fl.
Stuart of Augusta county was elected Presi
dent. Iu his speech he said, that sit was not
Convention Of party, but Of Virginians.
That upon the close of the war we were as
sured that upon the repeal Of the Ordinance
Of Secession, the Reputation Of the Confed
crate debt, and the emancipation of the slaves,
We would be restored to our rights in the
Union. Instead of these promises being full
filled, however, the policy had been naugu.
rated by placing the Southern States under
the control of an inferior race. We meet to
appeal to the North not 10 permit the inhic
tion of this disgrace upon us. Our rights
may be wrested from as, but we will never
agree to the rule OF an alien and inferior race
We prefer the rule of the bayonet.
Among the Vice Presidents chosen were
Thomas S. Bocock, R. n. T. Hunter, Ex-
Governor Letcher and others.
The Convention adjourned this afternoon
until tonight, when the Committee not being
ready to report, further adjournment vas
made until Tomorrow
Three thousand persons We're in the Thea
tre, where the Convention is being held, to-
night.
Among the delegates arc seventy-three
members Of tue last Legislature.
RICHMOND, December IL, p. m.-The Con-
servative Convention met ti.s morning.
The Committee reported series of resolu-
tions, which were adOp.ed unanimously, as
follows:
lst. Recognizes that by the result of the
| war slavery has been abolished, and they do
not de,ire the people of Virginia to reduce to
slavery again people emancipated by the
events Of the war and by amend .ncnts to the
Con,titatiou Of the United States
ID Asserts The right of Virginia 10 be re-
stored to the Union and declares her inten-
ton. in good faith, to perform her duties to
the Union.
Sd. Protests against the governing of Vir-
ginia in any way not defined IN the Federal
Constitution.
4th. Adopts the language Of the resolution
adopted at Cooper Institute, New York, that
| military government is subversive of the fun
damental ideas of our Government and its
object, which is to subject the peop!c Of the
Southern States to the rule of race just
emerged from Slavery, is abhorrent to the civ
ilization of mankind and to the Northern peo.
pie, and surrendering, as it does, one third of
the Senate and quarter of the House of
Representatives, which are TO legislate as 10
the dominion of an organized class Of eman-
cipated slaves, who are without any OF the
training, habits or traditions of selfgoyern-
ment.
9th. Disclaims all hostility to the black pop.
ulation, and assures that people of Virgins
sincerely desire their advancement in intelli-
gence and willingly extend them liberal pro
lection; but, while any constitution adopted
fore the law, it must not be forgotten that the
governments of the States and the Union
were framed by white men, to be subject TO
their control and suffrage, it should still be
regulated so as 10 continue both under the
control and direction of the white race.
9Th. That the people of Virginia will CO.
operate with all 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 con-
troll of the white race.
A resolution was adopted authorizing the
Central Committee to take steps for testing
the constitutionality of the Reconstruction
Acts in the United States Supreme Court.
In the discussion OF this resolution Gen.
Imboden, who had sued ont mundantus
against Gen. Sctoield, stated that his case,
with similar ones relative to suffrage in Ala
bama and Mississippi, would be carried TO the
Supreme Court.
A resolution, that the object Of the Con-
vention was to organize {" white mans party"
and no subject foreign TO this should be dis
.ussed, was laid on the table.
The President was authorized to appoint
Committee to prepare an Address to the peo-
pie Of Virginia and the United States, and the
Convention adjourned sine die.
After adjournment Hon. K. NJ. 7. Hunter
made short address, in answer to calls, in
which he said, between slave and military
rule, he preferred the latter, for the men who
wielled the sword were Of his own race, and
cited Hayti ard Jamaica as results of negro
rule, ard believed the Radical majority in
Congress, if they expected to control the
blacks, and prevent their exeesses, wauld
find tt ,mseIves wofully mistaken; to give the
blacks the power of the governments in the
Southern States, would be the highest crime
agains. nature, and he believed when the
North saw the result, there would be reac-
ton which would sweep such governments
from ths face Of America. THIS generation !
hss saGgsd, snd may suEa. more, but ltae |
states 1ili II7e ard look back "a tbis 1e1iod |