The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-12-17
Virginia Conservative Convention.

Richmond Dec 1.-THE Conservative Con-
vention assembled in the Theatre, this morning.
Eight hundred delegates were present, represent
ting all parts of the State. Hon. a. Ii. III.
Stuart, of Augusta County, was elected President.
In his speech he said, that this was not a
convention Of party, but Of I0yintons At
the close Of the war, they assured that up
on the reputation Of the Confederate debt, and
the emancipation of the slaves, we would be res
torcd to the Union. Instead of these promises
being fulfilled, policy has been inaugurated to
place the Southern States under the control Of
an inferior race. We meet to appeal to the North
not to permit the nfiiction of this disgrace upon
US. Our rights may be wrestcd from US, but we
will never agree to the rule of an alien and infe-
rior race We prefer the rule Of the bayonet"
Among the ce-Presidents are Hon r. NJ
L. Hunter, Hon. Thos. G.. Bocock, Ex-Governor
Lctcher and others
The following is the substance of the rcsolu-
tions adopted by the Convention:
The first recognizes that, by the results of the
war, slavery is abolished, and it is not the desire
of the people of Virginia to reduce to slavery
again people emancipated by the events Of the
war and by amendments to the Constitution of
the United States.
The second asserts the right of Virginia to be
restored to the Union, and declares her intention,
in good faith to perform her duties to the Union.
The third protests against the governing of
Virginia in any way not defined in the Federal
Constitution.
The fourth adopts the language of resolution
adopted at Cooper Institute, New York, that
military government is subversive of the tunda-
mental ideas of our government, and its object,
which is to subject the people of the Southern
States to the rule OF a race just emerged from
slavery, is abhorrent to the civilization of man
kind, and to the Northern people, in surrender
ing, as it does, third of the Senate and quar-
ter of the House of Representatives which are to
legslate over us, to the dominion of an organized
class of emancipated slaves who ale without any
of the training, habits or traditions of self gov
eminent.
The fifth dsclaims all hostility to the black
population, and asserts that the people of Viz
ginia sincerely desire to see them advanced in
intelligence, and are willing to extend to them
liberal protection; but while any Constitution
adopted by the State should make all men equal
before the law, yet this Convention distinctly
declare that the governments of the States and
the Union were formed by white men, to be sub
ject to their control, and suffrage should still be
regulated so as to continue both under the con-
troll and direction of the white race.
Sixth. That the people of Virginia will coop
crate with all men, throughout the Union, of
whatever name party who will labor to restore
the Constitutional Union of the States and con-
tinue its government under the control of the
white
\ resolution was adopted authorizing the Cen
trail Executive Committee to take steps testing
the constitutionalty of the Reconstruction Acts
ir the L. s. Supreme Court.