Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-03-31
From the Leesburg Washingtonian
Convention-New Constitution DUTY.

AS the Convention is drawing to a close
much interest is being felt with reference to tn
provisions of the Constitution soon to be sub
mitted to the people of the State. It will no
be satisfactory to give fragmentary parts, i'm
perfectly reported by the Richmond papers
but we will await the conclusion of the perform
ance, and submit the whole. Enough has beel
accomplished to foreshadow its real features
which are sufficient to rouse the people to eff
forts to accomplish its defeat. Radical changes
are proposed for the government and control O
our country affairs-new features which refec
the views of the Northern element which has
crept- into the convention, which propose tt
| abolish our county system and adopt the Town
ship mode of county government of some OF the
| Northern States.
Apart from the clause disfranchising large
portion of the white population, and enfranch.
Using the negroes, sufficient changes are pro-
posed to defeat the constitution before the peo-
pie. The old systems of courts and county or
ganizations, which have SO long answered the
ends Of justice, and supplied the wants of our
people, will not, in obedience to the orders of
such leaders as Hunnicutt and Underwood, be
rudely thrown aside for the new order of gov
ernment, imported by the few itinerant yankee
adventures, who have accidentally got into the
convention.
A few white voters may be found, sufficiently
fanatical to endorse these Innovations, if they
can, by it, fasten upon our people the curse of
negro suffrage and negro political equality
the thinking men of the Republican or Radical
party, whose reasons are not entirely swayed by
feelings Of revenge and hatred to the white race
Of Virginia, who think proper to differ with
them, will refuse to make the sacrifice. Apart
from the odious features of negro suffrage and
negro admissibility to the juries, the magiste-
rial offices, and the legislature of the State,
there will be found enough in this new Consti-
tutiop--a cross Of the yankee and the negro
to disgust all honorable and high minded Vir-
ginians. And when you add to these objec-
tionable features the deep disgrace and injus
tlce OF attempting to lower the standard OF the
white man to the negro, las it is moral and
intellectual impossibility to elevate him to the
Anglo Saxon,) by decreeiug, as this constitu
tlon will if adopted, that all the leading states
men, and great body Of the intelligent and
refined portion of the white population shall be
disfranchlsed, to give the negroes sufficient
power to place themselves, or their white tools
and syccophants in control, very many, who have
been classed with Republicans and Radicals
will spurn the wicked alliance. and stand up in
defence of their race and the honor of the State.
This crusade against the intelligence and power
Of taa State, as represented In our white popu-
lation, is arousing the feelings of the people,
and their determination is rapidly assuming
such organized form as will utterly defeat this
constitutional s2hslne OF oppression and wrong.
The people are becoming awake to their condl-
ton, and the dangers which threaten them.
and if we do not mistake the signs of the times,
thousands who sided with the radical faction,
will vote to defeat the radical constitution.
Each county and precinct should prepare for
the contest-each individual should feel that
the voice of his State calls upon him to put
forth all his efforts to save his people-to save
the memory of his ancestors-the hoaor Of his
family, and the fate Of bis pasterity from the
witheElpg nlf.ortifoatlon and disgrace which this
party is preparing to force upon Us. These is
sues are big with consequences personal to each
of US. and demand that we should at once pre-
pare to defeat the attempt to crush the spirit,
manhood and intelligence of the people.
Are we doing our duty? Are we organizing
in this county? Have the precinct committees
attended to the duties committed to their care
Are you impresssg upon the people the I'M
portanaa or the election soon to be ordered by
the power that rules us? This contest, in mag
nitude and importance, is far above mere po-.
litical or par,isan conflict. The issue is: shall
Me sshise or negro race rule thaS State. Deny
it as they may, this is the grave and stubborn
fact which confronts u.s. That party or faction
has no material strength but the negro-at rests
mainly upon their uotes for its success, and must
and will yield and bend to the will of that race
if it get the power Che negro, through their
agency, Will as effectually control the State as
ifthey held the offices. Let them, by your
neglect and Indifference adopt the proposed
constitution, and then your leading men--your
men of intelligence, experience in business
those to whom you look for counsel will be
thrown aside to give the negro and his political
associates the offices and posts of trust to rule
and govern you. Are yop ready and willing
for this?