The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-12-12
coNsERvATrvE CONVENTION
OF VIRGINIA.

The Convention of the white people of
Virginia-who are the people Of Virginia
called to consider the condition of the coun-
try and devise measures necessary topre
serve the dignity, peace, and prosperity Of
the State at this period Of apprehension and
peril, ,assembled.in the Theatre in this city
yesterday at IL o'clock. The original call
for this meeting was issued by the Execu-
tive Committee of the Conservative Party of
this city. The demand for such conven-
tion-for free conference of the people of
the Commonwealth-under the public ext
gency, was so apparent that the Richmond
Committee very properly took the initia-
tive, and their call met universal approval
and concurrence throughout the State.
The result was exhibited in the grand as
semblage Of yesterday.
We have not in our day beheld SUCH
body Of the representative men ofthe state.
It embraces the first talent and weight OF
character of the people. Its numbers
were large, and its dignity remarkaoie.
The peril of the day added force 10 Ine
august character of the assembly. me
earnestness and the manly and determined
exnression of every face gave the lifting ap,
nearance of an earnest body of men, loyal
and true 20 their grand allegiance 10 lneli
country and their God. 20
The list of delegates includes some OF
the greatest men of the State, some OF
whom lin advanced age) speak to us as
ambassad ors from the heroic and ylrtu-
ous age which achieved the independence
of the United States, and gave to them
the noble institutions that have conferred
so much security, prosperity, and fame
upon the nation-institution which, right
" and honestly administered, would nave
perpetually secured these great objects
and ends of society. The sage counseiS
of these venerable citizens it IS the good
fortune of the Convention to- possess.
The contemplation of such eody OF
men taking counsel amongst themselves as
to how to save the State from the worst of
evils was most cheering to all who had the
good fortune to be present. Its action
must be salutary and effective.
THE ORGANIZATION.
at IL O'Clock the Convention was called
to order by the Hon. WILLoUGHBY NEW
TON, who nominated as temporary chair
man the venerable THOMAS ). RANDOLPH,
Of Albemarle (the grandson of THOMAS
JEFFERSON, the author of the Declaration
of Independence and the Bill Of Rights OF
Virginia).
The nomination was unanimously car
ried, and Mr.. R. T. DANIEL, of Richmond,
at the request of Mr.. NEWTON, conducted
Mr.. RANDOLPH to the chair; upon assum-
ing which he thus addressed the Con-
yention:
Gentlemen of the Convention,-Some
forty or fifty years ago good many young
men had assembled, and proceeded to or
ganize convention, and looking over the
list Of names proposed for the various Of
fcers of it, they found one old gentleman,
and as he was fit for nothing else, they de-
termined to make him temporary chair
man. presume am entitled to the same
consideration. Laughter.
Gentlemen, when the election for the
so-calted Convention, or whatever it is,
| which is now sitting in the capitol Of this
State, took place, the fact was made
known Of a perfect organization and en-
| tire array of race against race, and that
the negroes, under the guidance Of a few
renegades, had ranged themselves against
the white people of the State. [Applause. ]
This fact brought to the mind of every
man in the community, in the course Of
four and twenty hours, sense of danger,
and the necessity which existed for the
organization amongst the white men of a
White Mans party. [Applause.] 1t is
| apparent, then, that the grand object OF
the assembling of this Convention was with
q view to this end; and there never has
| been period in the history of this coun-
try when, as the Frenchman said, ga great
talent for silence was SO eminently re-
quired as at this time and in this Conven-
ton. [Applause.] When General Lee
surrendered, the people of Virginia sub
mitted absolutely, Internationally, unre-
servedly, and in good faith, to the authority
of the United States Government. What
ever opinions had been previously enter
tanned upon the doctrine Of secession were
at once abandoned as impracticable. The
people Of Virginia have fully, unreserved-
ly, persistently, and most faithfully, OBJ
served that obedience to the laws and au-
thority of the United States. They have
not forfeited that ancient sobriquet Of
Virginia which in the "early days" she
acquired, of "Law-abiding Virginia"
Gentlemen, We are not to think Of the
idea, nor is it to be for moment enter
tanned, that this perfect and absolute sub
mission to the authority of the United
States will argue in us any lessened love
Of liberty and deviation from the path Of
honor-that, gentlemen, in the heart Of
Virgiuians, is impossible. The old gran
dame, with her little musings grouped
around her, recounting to them the deeds,
and virtues, and fame, of their ancestors;
the mother, with her modest daughter, in
spring love of liberty; the father and
son aspiring to the fame of their ances-
tors-a perfect love Of liberty and the
duties of truth and courage. [Applause.l
National liberty should be forever dear to
every southern heart. 1t was imperish-
able on the field of battle among our Pc
rishing patriots-it has been indestructible
amid the confagration of the cities, towns,
and dwellings Of our country.
We may look forward, gentlemen, with
full faith in the assurance of a day of re-
lief. [Applause.] thank you, gentlemen,
for the honor you have done me.
On motion of Mr.. q. TURNER, the pro.
ceedings were opened with prayer by
the Rev. DR.. HoGE, who invoked the
throne of Divine Grace, in language both
feeling and appropriate, to guide the coun-
sells of the Convention to the best results
for the good of society and the State.
On motion of Mr.. CHRISTIAN, of Angus
ia. the editors Of the Wing, Enquirer, and
Dispatch, were appointed temporary Secre.
taries Of the Convention.
On motion of Mr.. CHRISTIAN, the rules
Of the House of Delegates were adopted
for the government of the Convention.
On motion of Mr.. z. TURNER, commit