New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-01-16
VIRGINIA.
GEN. BUTLER IN RICHMOND-nIs REMARKS TO
THE CONVENTION.
Prom Oar pecisl CORRESPONDENT

RICHMOND, Jan. H. 1893
The principal topic of conversation in this
city to-day is the presence Of Butler his speech
in the African Church last evening There various
comments his address, but 1t Is generally REGARDED
moderate sensible argument and the friends OF Recon-
structon hope that much good Will result from 1t. The
ultra Rebels the only parties displeased They
pected Gen. Butler would advocate confscatioD, dis
reimbursement, capital punishment, &C., and consid
eraby annoyed that he did not do They were in
hopes that he might say something which would give
them an excuse for perseverng In their opposition to
Reconstruction and the fostering Of the Rebel sentiment
something which they could use In their efforts
Feat the iabos OF the Convention when the Constitution
is presented to the people, but Notwithstanding the bur
esque, and In untrue reports Of the speech
the more sensible portion OF the community earnestly
discuss IT, and begin to believe that after all the Radicals
are not SO I&GE as i6ey are Rshe e nearly
was waited on by hundreds Of people, many Of them
themselves opposed TO the present policy OF Congress
They talked freely on the situation and went away APP
pareny somewhat changed in sentiment toward Butler
personally, and the Radicals generally.
About o'clock Gen. Butler waited by Com
carried by strict party vote address body
lie proceeded TO the capitol about O'clock ard entered
which were crowded With spectators Of both sexes Many
Of the socaed Conservative members left the hall when
Cen Butler commenced by thanking the Convention
for the honor they had done him IN inviting him TO adj
charge the greatest duty that could devoye upon
states was the first written Constitution that was ever
operative. In the country from which we came, and
from which derive many Of our laws, the COnsu-
ton still remains unwrten and s only known from the
customs OF the realm. The Bill Of Rights, wrested
by the barons from King John at Runnymede,
prescribes not what citizens shall do, but what
shall not be done by the Government to the
citizen, and IN that regard ID has been followed by
most If not all OF the Bills Of Rights in several Const
tutons. He alluded to this because he understood
that they had been discussing Bill OF
Rights, and no wished to give them his ideas
the subject there appeared TO be confusion
gard 10 IT, The Constitution the framework Of govern
ment. He had observed In many Conventions and that
he may not be deemed nvidous, he would mention
NewYork-that there a disposition deal with
jects which not, strictly speaking within the prov
ince OF Constitution makers but belonged entirely 10
served that they talked great deal about the canals,
how they sheald be managed, their width, depth and
construction. In his opinion, that part OF the
business OF Constitution trainers. They TO say thus
far aud farther, may legislation interfere with the
rights Of the citizens thus far may laws be passed which
making Constitution, great many landmarks should
up here and there. around which all legislation
should cluster Constitution should be the evidence Of
the growth Of the principles OF liberty they exist In
the minds Of men at the time Is written That put
paper as constitution and guide. and all the rest is
only the setting IN motion OF the machinery Of
Government. Say there shall be Legislative Execu-
tive and Judicial Departments, composed OF several
officers say how thoy shall be elected or appointed.
otherwise given official functions then state who shall
be the electors who shall have the right OF election and
how IL is to be conferred him: this DONE you have all
that Is desirable In Constitution The Constitution, in
other words Is nothing more than the limitation or the
right OF majority TO restrict or infringe on inc liberties
habits OF the people for whom 1t is made aud 1t would
seem To be wise the part OF all the Conventions To take
Constitution which has grown up with the people
as guide aud only ada to 1t such poYnious ~ the great