New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-02-05
COMPOSITION OF THE CONVENTION.

r'0~ 'S' 'p''' TALLAHASSEE. Jan. 81, 1853.
For the first time, l have been able to see
the Convention in working order. as IL had ADJOURNED
over to this morning when reached town on Friday On
arriving of the Capitol was presented Win pote hote
from the President OF the Convention inviting me 10 taKe
seat within the bar OF the house. where was furhSheo
desk This desire to acknowledge as marked honor
70 TIE NEw-YoRK TRIBUNE. Indeed, L find myself
treated with "distngushed consideration by all classes
I'm consequence of connection Win tDht paper 10y
il will he remembered that to be known as us
emf only seven years ago, in time Of peace too would
have been almost 10 bring severe pelsOhhi
Cpnycnton bnt very very slowly This IL part owing to
the fact that nearly all OF the members are wholly unac
cusomed legislative business, and the PRESIDENT
having served before in a similar capacity is constantly
bothered with points OF order from few members WHO
appear 70 h9 nroceeapg CohseSueny the real vital
and important business OF tho Convention moves anos.
deliberate and scrutinzing examination OF the Conyen-
ton this morning arrive at entirely different concur
by the Rebel press" Some OF the members may be
reen" and somewhat awkward as legsators put tney
are not incapable ignorant Of what needed Tor te
fundamental rules OF government OF tne staei pos
OF Intelligence neeye t bady Of anv southern
State or indeed of OF the new states OF our Nv
And Florida to all intenis new state so faf az the
population Is concerned. that is allowed to take action
In law making, further than to register ld No.os
OF the poor whites" in favor OF some arisocrac slave
holder. While the slaves themselves, some OF the
members OF this Convention, who lived near the capital
the fascinating power conducted itself Consequently
nos, that these exaves have here To act az egls
hnng a tn1 S I insompeten And many whites
being selected from class eT bse co co
menco at A Il G OF the alphabet In Parliamentary DUST
ou who we're ever members OF any legislative Doay,
or whoever read Jefcgsons Manual, untll they came
here last week some OF them bring evidence "a s snS
have lived i'm country all their lives where the rnIinH
class looked upon schoohOuses their worst enemies
eScenng always the hated and hateful Yankees There
are intelligent. sharp men. and there are some VINO
are endowed with gift OF speech without lh,IhsenOo'
These arc few but terrible blocks to tie wheels OF pro-
| gress. - . .o,, ,hot tba white
portion ~ the Convention very fair representation
OF the people OF this state for whom they are to egsae
and are honestly disposed to act Lhuny ior te ' ,h
interests Of Florida. so much for my opinion Oh INC
majority OF the white delegates
TIE BLACK MIN IN TIE CONVENTION l..
wish could possibly convey my opinions or my I'M
pressons about The colored dclcgon so as 10 oe larry
IL present with this morning, any one OF theIl Wouu
He would wonder how could be possible TO select 80
many intelligent men, capable OF reading wiring, speak,
ing acting and thinking from race among whom an
atfempts 10 learn to read have been treated as crime
worthy Of the severcst punishment Ana was ueath or
expulsion with any white convicted OF Teaching
slave Even women logged and imprisoned for this
hcnOus Oncnse against tde good otuer anu NtiOoih6
Yet In spite OF ali whips and prisons, there we're
few who learned Ia read and write as now eE
d.uced Ina this Convention. do not that ono OF the
s-and believe 10 " them were formerly slaves
is destitute Of this desirable lnaePsnu
them POSSESSED Of ell the attributes Of gentlemen some
Of
Rebels call thembut eloquent speakers never heaIu
address in my life than did last evening from
.Fo n"e babsy attends the church of the Rev C.
M Penrce who il one finest looking aud soundest
men this Convention. 30 much Tor inc Diaek purIon
| of the Constitution makers.
Now have never been known negro worshiper."
bur I honestly confess / have objection to worship
| with such d" composition Of mean niSgers as ihoso
have described; should have any fear OF negro
supremacy" # such are the kind OF men VINO are 70 be
supreme in this state And have also carefully scanned
the contcnasces OF about 100 negroes present to1ay
who mere ookers-on. like myself aud must declare
do not see any cause oil alarm rom am MS' Inn ~ i
iclgence In their faces nor Ia their COMPENSATION Cpoh
the whole am hopeful Of good results from the laDors
VI ''''' rosfFoSEMEsr or TIE CONFLICT.
The nrcbrand that thrown IN on Friday ana when
seemed TO threaten serious disturbance, was quenched
| this morning la very quiet way by p0stpohlng me
day OF february before which the Convention will nd
Ionrn am willing to acknowledge that have earnestly
Journey here In the result "A the case stood an angry
debate would have been nduged without accomplishing
one ioa good. producing change IN the seats
OF those who is clnmed, not citizens The vote TO
aS S T Soos and forbearance on o part Of 80
20 save the lime the convention from being wasted in
morse and wind some Of tho members are unable to
make long stay here. for they have but little money
poverty stricken Besdes all the machinery is in the
hands Of mon bitterly opposed TO tins Conyenlon'
The financial agent MIR Crppen has just returned from
Atlanta aud reports that Gen. Meade says the Conyen
ton may levy special tax and no will see the ordinance
| enforced but that will not bring money immediately
About go 900 needed. have suggested the issue of
taxes but then there are banks bankers In the
state who cash the scrip. oven at prsntaDe as
count. Financially the Convention is In bad Way yet
there plenty Of men In who seem disposed TO waste
the time Capt House OF Marion County Is one OF this
perfect hrebrand ready TO rush into anybody
magazine lie is perfect specimen OF the genus ranter
and general faulthnder and should Do tod ,ha no .
dsurer Of the peace Ills long harangue thls morning
| had no interest to anybody nor any good purpose.
Nothing wa. done this morning beside settling the
question upon the report about the right OF 10
talk. because no committee ready to report 50
there was question before the body somebody started
all their grievances and all ter objections TO the mule
team" as they denomnate the majority, or extreme
{" Conservative Republicans" The talk this afternoon
showed some respectable talent upon both SIDES put
portion Of the members. The speech OF Mr. Gibbs was
| delivering 1t Is admirable. He Ia calm and strong
PERSONA SKETCHES e. ., orov,d or IN
would De na en & nS AND seater
thunderbos He is not the man for deberatve assem-
bly,. His arguments do not convince; GiD0ss DO Ihats
| tho difference between these colored giants.
Mr. Purman white and said to be extreme radical but
| County lie made tremendous effort to convince the
majority Of these men this morning, deAouneing every
body and every thing that opposed to his own ideas
He accused the coored Of being slaves their
leaders, and denounced with bitterness all the ministers
| Of the gospel in the Convention as being out
to be legislators for their people. He particularly
severe upon Bishop Pearce," but would have done
your heart good aud hear with what mild chris
tian spirit the bishop replied TO this attack He was
called up by request and vote OF the convention but he
said not his wish TO reply to any attacks he de-
sired his to speak for him. He should as soon try
to blow back chaf II was better TO consider II chah
which would hurt one and let 1t blow away believe
more than one was convinced that Major Purman had
damaged his cause; and am sure that all who heard
Col Bngss reply to the attacks upon himself thought
much OF the after than before. Indeed be-
eve II his Republican opponents continue TO persecute
him much longer, and the Rebel press continues Its IL
rades they will be pretty to make him Governor
thatis the Office TO which he aspIres While be and his
friends were mild and conciatory except part OF
Ssderss address his opponents were not So and the
result the mule team pulled It's load through the
difficulties the day, and In at the end of their
journey reser and stronger than the start This has
heen davd ev cd IN oH Oas