The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-11-26
The Conyen tons.

The State Convention which Is to modify
the Constitution will assemble in the CAPT
toll on the Sd Of December. This Conven-
ton, held under authority of Congress, is
one altogether monstrous in character
entirely incapable and Enthusiastically
The only portion Of it at all worthy OF
being entrusted with the solemn and i'm
portant duty OF amending the organic law
of the State is completely overwhelmed
in numbers by the ignorant and Radi
cal elcmcnt-conSiSting Of Incompetent
strangers only distinguished for their cum
ming, unscrupulouSncss, and depravity, and
negroes recently slaves, many of whom
cannot read or write, and nearly all OF
whom are bitter and relentless in their
animositieS animoSiticS, if not altogether
originated in their minds by the wretched
white intcrlopers from the North who
have been their teachers, which have been
inhamcd into extreme intolerance and
vindictivcncss by these vicious teachers.
On the 11th December another convcn-
people Of Virginia, who have made the
State, physically, morally, and politically,
what il is-will meet here to consider the
public welfare. No period has occurred
in the history of the State which so lmpc-
ratively demanded council Of the respon-
sible and intelligent part of society upon
the subject Of her peace, safety, and pros
perity. This convention, indeed, Is not
ordered by Congress. 1t springs out OF
the peril and necessity Of the State: and
its assemblage is a"mattcr IS indispensable
and unavoidable as if it had been ordered
by legislative provision and command.
These conventions are fraught with the
deepest interest 70 our people. From the
first we may apprehend serious evils, which
We may hope the last may point ont the
way to Illustrate, or at least to mitigate.
The first, considered in many of its aspects,
is great farce; but it may be for us and
the nation a most "tragical farce" The
last is entitled to the solemn respect of the
world for its own dignity and the great
public necessity which originates it.
We trust that our people will not be
weighed down by any arprehensions that
this great State is ultimately to be de-
graded and permanently Frustrated by the
barbarism and the tanaticiSm which are
temporarily in the ascendant. 1t is i'm
possible that it should be. The interests
of humanity, as well as the commercial
and industrial interests Of the whole Union,
forbid il. The Convention of the white
people Of Virginia will go far, we believe,
to impart a wholesome trust in the future,
in the ultimate triumph of the public in
tercst and of the white race, which alone
has the wisdom and energy to save
the State. We anticipate that it
will be governed By wise counsels,
and will adopt the best measures for
the general welfare. 1t is trne that it
will assemble before the monstrous Con-
vcntion will have framed, as we appre-
bend, its monstrous Constitution. 1t
would have been better had its day OF
meeting been deferred until that Constitu-
ton had been completed. This idea, now
ever, was suggested too late to allow OF a
change Of the day Of meeting. we are
gratifed to say that the State Will De lu'ly
represented, and that the delegations OF
the counties comprise the best and most
influential men of the State. The presence
of such men here, and their sayings and
doings, cannot fail to have salutary effect.
Touching what may become necessary, and
what may not be provided for by the Con-
vention itself, committee Of the wiSeSt
and most influential men may be appointed
by the Convention to take care Of the
public interest. We doubt not that the
Commonwealth will find protection and
safety in the hands of such men as will
stand for her in the Convention of the 18th
proximo aud that though they may not
he able instantly to negative the action Of
the monstrouS Convention of the Sd De-
cember, they will be enabled 10 inaugurate
a policy and spirit which will triumph in
the redemption Of Virginia from barbariSm,
and the setting her up in her proud posi-
ton OF foremost and most noble of the
States in all her relations to the Republic.