Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-12-17

they earnestly seek restoration of their consti-
tutional relations of the Union as the best
means of affording it. They feel, too, that the
material interests of all parts of our widely ex-
tended country are impaired and our liberties
impered by the longer continuance of the
present unhappy strifes, and we seek restora-
ton 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
| annulled our ordinances of secession, 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 To these conditions
we promptly acceded, because they involved no
sacrifice of our self-respect and were attended
by no national degradation. We have faithful
ly fulfilled all these conditions, and yet our rights
are withheld. May we not, under. these cir
cumstances, 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 In
other southern States, the people OF Virginia
have been led to fear that policy is to be inau-
gurated here which tends, if it be not designed,
to subvert 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 humanity to all the
blood which courses through our vlens-false
to every obligation of duty to ourselves, our
kindred, and our country, if we did not earnest
ly protest against and seek to arrest Sc fearful
calamity.
We hope our fears may be unfounded. We
hope we may be spared this attempted degrade
ton. But it is the part of prudence to guard
against all contingencies. 1t is for this purpose
that we have met to take counsel together to-
day. We wish with one united voice to APP
peal to the patriotic people Of the North ato
come to our relief and stay the hands OF those
who would Cypress and degrade US.
We desire, further, to perfect our organlza-
ton, so that all who desire that this shall con-
tinue to be white mans government may be
able to act in concert and by one vigorous and
united effort save ourselves from ruin and dis
grace. We prefer military rule to the despot-
ism of an ignorant rabble. And we wish to
declare, with earnestness and emphasis, that,
come what may, we and those we represent can
never agree that this shall be any other than
white man. government Our rights may be
wrested from us by violence, but we will never
agree that our proud old mother shall be pre-
sented in the attitude OF consentlng to her own
degradation.
Mr. Stuart, who was warmly applauded dur
ing his address, having concluded, the Vice
Presidents were invited to seats; and, having
taken them, presented an array of talent, dignity
of character, and imposing personal presence,
that has been rarely equalled anywhere.
The roll of delegates was then called, which
is so long that we cannot publish it in full. The
following is the list of Augusta and the sur
rounding counties
augusta ii. D, Imboden, R. W: Burke,
j. NJ McCue, H. G. Guthrie, John B. Bald
win, G. P Baker, G. R. Mason, E. W. Bagley,
Richard Cattlett, H. NJ. Bell, w. S. McChes-
ney, j. w. Bell, George Baylor, W. II. H.
Lynn, j. D'Orsay Hanger, George A. Bruce,
B. Mauzy, A. Fl. H. Stuart, J. E. Guy, DR..
Samuel kennerly, a. NJ. CARRIER, Jr.
Bath. A. McCIung, G. 2. Bryant, Fl.
| n Richards j. L. Eubank, Joseph Mayse,
Hgi1and.-W. W. Fleming, J. W. Myers,
| G.. w. Fraley.
Rockbrdge William W. McLaughlip, Will
liam Frazier, John Letcher, r. J. Echols, S.
Mcdowell Moore, I. I. Anderson.
Rockingham.-S Bowman, John Q.
| Woodson, DR.. Burke Chr; sman, J. N. Liz
gett j. g. Sprinkle Dr. 7. H. V. Brown,
j. Ell. Wartman, j. S. Duckwall, Jacob Full
Ter, J. L. Roller George Grattan, j S. Hans
berger.
| The tedious business of the roll being ended.
R. T. Daniel offered the following resolution,
which, after some cursory debate and the yo-
ting down of several immateral propositions to
amend, was adopted:
'sResolued, That committee of thirteen be
appointed to prepare business for the Conven-
tion to whom shall be referred all propositions
and motions relating to the objects for which it
| has assembled.
The following gentlemen were appointed the
committee in accordance with this resolution
Messrs R. I. Daniel, a. Turner, r. NJ. L.
Hunter William Martin, W. r. Staples, John
B. Baldwin, Thomas S. Bocock, James M.
w. Boiling, John Goode, and John r. Tucker.
One of the ablest committees ever appointed
in the State
70 give time for the committee to prepare a
report, the disposition was to adjourn at once.
After good deal of talk, it was finally deter
mined that when the Convention adjourns it
will adjourn until o'clock P. NJ.
And then, on motion, the Convention ad
journed.
EVENING SESSION.
The Convention was again called to order at
O clock by the President The scene pre-
sented was more imposing than that of the
morning The brilliant lights brought out the
picture in bold relief The parquette was filed
altogether with members of the Convention
and presented a sea of manly and intellectual
faces. The second tier was adorned by the
beauty and grace of number of the gentler
sex. The whole assemblage was one full of
dignity and beauty. It will never be forgotten
by those who saw it,
Some resolutions were offered; which, under
the rule, were referred to the Committee on
| Business.
Mr. Daniel, from the Committee on the Bus
mess Of the Convention, made the following re-
port which was adopted
THE committee to whom was referred the
preparation of business for the Convention, and
the consideration of resolutions referred to it,
beg leave to report that various subjects of i'm
portance to be considered by the Convention,
and several important resolutions have been re-
ferred to it, which the committee has had un-
der consideration, but that time has not been
allowed to report on them fully; and therefore
the committee ask leave to sit again.
! "And with view to elicit larger and more
varied expression of public opinion on the mat
tiers referred than probably will be obtained by
the committee as now constituted, it is respect
fully suggested that it be enlarged so as to con-
sist Of twenty-one members.
The Chair then added the following eight
gentlemen to the Business Committee, in ac-
cordance with the report-viz., Messrs. o. B.
Finney, of Accomac; John Letcher, of Rock
bridge; Fayette McMullen, of Smyth; Moses
Walton, of Shenandoah Nathaniel Alexander
of Mecklenburg; James B. Kello, of South
ampton; and E. W. Massey, of Clarke.