The New York herald., 1868-01-09
Progress Of the Southern Reconstruc lion
COuventiOns-Whut VIII FoiIowe

or fisticufing, or an appeal for aims, we would
hardly realize that the work of Congressional
| reconstruction is now going on, or supposed
to be going on, in five of the ten Southern
unreconstructed States-to wit, Virginia,
Georgia, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana.
| Alabama, the first to start the ball under the
programme Of negro supremacy reconstruc-
ton, has passed its period of CESSATION and
given birth to singular hybrid in the shape
of State constitution. In this political
monstrosity are embraced provisions which
even the widest radical in Congress cannot
find it in his conscience to endorse. Among
these are the free suffrage, white disfranchise-
ment, confscation, negro jury, amalgamation
and other favorite theories OF the radicals, to
say nothing of the very latitudinarian princ-
Piles Of the trainers Of the constitution on the
subjects of matrimony and divorce. The cleo
ion for the acceptance or rejection Of this
instrument is fixed for the 4th and 5th proximo,
and in the meantime the canvass, which also
includes the choice of State officers under the
new constitution, goes on with more than
usual fervor on the part Of the white popula-
ton in opposition to the negro supremsls
| In Virginia, what with the Constitutional
| Convention, the Conservative Convention, the
meeting Of other bodies and the negro high
days and holidays inseparable from the season,
| there has been lively time at Richmond for
some weeks past. The Constitutional Con-
vention met on the Sd of December, and has
pursued radical course from the begin
ming. The radical framework of the new
constitution has been presented by piece
meal, and discussions, alike amusing, instructive
and humilatng have followed. The negroes
have the upper hand, and the most ultra mea-
sures have been proposed. In the distribution
of privileges to the Inhabitants 1t is difficult to
ascertain where those vouchsafed the white
man come in. The proceedings OF the Conven-
ton are not only radical, but revolutionary
and were 1t not from fear of the mil tary they
would, no doubt, be characterized by acts of
violence which the records OF negro rule in
other climes cannot parallel.
The Georgia Reconstruction Convention
(Which convened December 81 has just reas-
sembled at Macon after recess of some days.
The subjects thus far discussed in its delbera-
tions are similar TO those embraced in the Ala
bama Convention, with one excepton-that OF
pay. The Alabama assemblage voted itself
certain amount per head per day, and we be-
leve the sums were paid out of funds in the trea-
sury. In the case of The Georgia Convention,
however, those who held the keys Of the public
exchequer refused to honor the drafts of the
Convention and hence there we're terrible COM
plant and worrment among the poor black
delegates. Some very honorsbly went to work
at one dollar and half per day on public
improvements, and thereby were enabled to
subsist without running into debt or becoming
tax upon public charity. 1t is now proposed,
we perceive, to issue Slate notes for the pay
ment OF the wages of the members, the credit
of the State, so far as the Convention has power
TO do SO, being pledged for their redemption.
Finally, we see Congress entering the field in
behalf OF tho delegates, and one sympathizing
Senator proposes to sweep ont of existence ut
one fell swoop all the State officers who have
the temerity to question the authority of the
Convention. That game was tried at the initia-
tion OF the Alabama Convention and proved q
losing one. Whether it will fare better in the
seen. General Meade, however, is now on tho
ground, having superseded General Pope and,
as the former has the reputation of being a
wiser and more concliatory commander than
the latter, hopes are entertained of q peaceful
solution of pending difficulties.
The Louisiana Convention has been drag
ging along slow and uninteresting existence
Of some seven weeks, and has really accom-
plishcd nothing beyond the adoption of few
provisions respecting the rights Of tho blacks
to the ballot, the jury, to public conveyances
and public hotels The question Of pay and
mileage was among the first disposed Of A
number Of personal wrangles, in which the
newspaper reporters came in for their share of
abuse, a. was also the case In the Virginia and
Georgia Conventions, have marked the pro-
gress Of the Louisiana assemblage. In neither
OF the Conventions now in session are there
evidences OF immediate dissolution, however
much such contamination might be devoutly
wished for.
We have not yet heard from the Mississippi
and Arkansas Constitutional Conventions,
which were to have met on Tuesday, January
l. the former In jackson, the latter in Little
Rock. In each Of these, however, the radical
programme Is nearly the samo as that pre-
scnted in the preceding Conventions the only
difference in either probably will be shown in
the temper and intelligence with which the
various topics may be discussed.
In all these Conventions in all these unrea
sonablc efforts Of the radicals to demonstrate
the capability Of the untutored negro for self
government, we observe no indications Of the
prospective advancement of tho black race,
except II be upon the neck, of the Southern
whites. Hereupon, OF course, the whites must
accept the challenge, and struggle, In which
the blacks will assuredly come out sec ond
best must ensuc. In Virginia we already see