The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-02-22
The V1rgi4ai0 Convention
ORDERED BY CONGRESS TO
FRAME A STATE CONSTITUTION.
FIFTY-EEGHTH DAY.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY Il, looo'
The Convention met at the usual hour,
Mr.. CLEMENTS in the chair. Prayer by
the Rev. Mr.. Murphy. :,
Mr.. HAwXHURsT moved to reconsider
the vote laying the motion to inform
General Schofeld of the proceedings OF
the Convention in the case OF MIR. MAUZT
on the table. Carried.
On motion, it was ordered that copy
Of the report and proceedings in this mat
ter be forwarded to General Schoheld.
FRANCHISE.
The morning hour having expired, the
question of franchise was taken up, MI.
L. GIBSON on the floor.
Mr.. GIBSON first argued against the le-
gitimacy of the Convention under the pro,
visions of the Constitution of the United
States, and ventilated the question as to
whether Virginia was or was not State
70 show the inconsistency of the Radical
party and its proposed plans of reconstruc-
ton in either event. In the course OF his
remarks he made allusion to the fact OF
the United States Senator elect from Ylr-
GINA, the President of the Convention,
using those privileges only accorded to the
representatives of States in the United
States Senate when he could not believe
that Virginia was State, if his words ard
actions were to be taken as in any way in
dicative. Virginia was State for Radl-
cal purposes, but when her being a State
was not in keeping with those purposes
oh, no she was not State. The ques-
ton as to whether she was State was to
be decided solely as matter of policy.
Had not the member from Chester field
said on Yesterday that it were better for
this Convention not to declare in favor of
Grant, because the Chase Republicans
would vote to keep the State out; and If
it declared in favor of Chase, the Grant
Republicans would oppose the admission
of the State?
Mr.. GIBSON next took up the question
rs to who these foreign people proposed to
be enfranchised were, and proceeded to
show from whence they came, their condi-
ton in their own country, their failure to
advance from their state of barbarity, and
the vain attempts that had been made to
raise them to the level of citizens in other
countries. He spoke of the object of the
similar attempt now being made here.
Was it purely for the good and advance
ment of the negro? Had not the member
from Richmond stated that were it not for
the war the idea Of making them citizens
would never have been entered into Did
not the Christian Banner show them that
he had no kindly feeling towards them
Did it not announce it III an article, of all
he had ever read, the most violent? And
yet he told them now that had it not been
for the rebellion he would to-day entertain
the same ideas-be would to-day oppose
their having their own ministers, and from
worshppiDg their God in their own way.
This movement was not for the good of the
negro, but for the benefit of the few blessed,
pure loyalists living in the State.
He then went on to show that the past
legislation of the Convention was prosCrip-
tive, inimical to the interests of the State,
and as forcing social equality upon the
country. In conclusion, he answered the
question as to what he would do with this
race. He would give them a portion of
the best territory in the country. He
would grant each Of them tract of
land at the expense Of the southern States.
He would bestow upon them Federal pro-
lection and patronage. He would give
them fair chance to work their own des-
TIMES, and he would be we'll pleased at any
future day could he learn that they had
shown themselves worthy of all the rights
and privileges of citizens.
The above is a mere sketch of Mr.. Glib
soN's remarks. He elaborated upon all
the points mentioned, and entered fully
into all their bearings, speaking IN plain
terms and without reserve.
In the course of his remarks deprcca-
ting negro domination, which must ensue
upon negro suffrage, he remarked that
before submitting to negro rule the State
would call from their mountain homes the
members of Pickett's grand old division
that noble band which had faithfully fol-
lowed that loved patriot, first in wisdom
and in Christian virtue to any man in the
country, Robert E. Leland their bodies
should lie in the same graves with those
comrades whom they had survived in the
late conflict, and their bones should bleach
on Virginia's hillsides.
Motions were made, at the end Of his
speech, to allow him to continue, but he
hadlto decline, because Of sufferingin conse-
quence of the effects Of the damp weather
upon his wounds. Half of the time he had
to sit upon the back Of his chair:
Mr.. PLATTE moved that 10000 copies of
the speech be printed for distribution.
Decided out Of order.
He was followed by MORTON (mulatto)
who spoke in favor of civil equality in all
respects, but denied that the carrying out
of the Radical platform would he forcing
social equality upon the people.
Pending his remarks, the hour for recess
arrived.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The Convention met at 4 o'clock.
DUTIES OF OFFICERS.
Mr.. BowDEN offered the following
"Resolued, That committee of five be
appointed to inquire into and report the
duties of the Sergeant-atoarms, the Door
keeper. and his assistants" Adopted.
The following committee was appointed :
Allan, Jones, Brown, French, and Winston.
wAsHISGToN's BIRTHDAY.
Mr.. ALLAN offered the following; which
was adopted:
"Rssolued, That February 22G being the
anniversary of the birth of the Father of
our Country, when this Convention adjourn
to-day it do adjourn to meet again on Mon
day, February gath, 1868, in order to
allow the members an opportunity Of cele-
brating that occasion"
INCREASE OF PAY.
Mr.. THOMAS, from the Committee on
Contingent Expenses, reported an ordi-
nance granting the assistant secretaries an
additional compensation of 81 per diem.
It was read for first and second time,
and epgrossed for third reading.
FRANCHISE.