Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-01-29
FRIDAY MORNING, JAN. 20. 1860
On Monday last, Court-day, Messrs. Stu

FRIDAY MORNING, JAN. 20. 1869
On Monday last, Court-day, Messrs. Stu
art and Baldwin, members Of the committee
of nine, addressed large meeting Of the
people of Augusta, explaining the result Of
the labors of the committee, in Washington
We took full notes on the speeches Of these
gentlemen, but from their length we have
not the space to publish them. They report
in substance, that they have prospect of
having the Underwood constitution amended
by striking out the Test-oath and Disfran-
chisement, County Organization, Homestead
and Church property clauses and in that con-
dition to he presented for the adoption Of
our people. This we take occasion to repeat
is only prospect, which they account for by
saving that the new movement is only in
process and until something is accomplished
there can be nothing but prospect of sue
cess. This we readily grant the gentlemen
and while we accord them the best motives
in all they have done, yet we are compelled
to believe they are building their hopes on
promises never to be realized. They COM
plain hugely that, having obtained the
promise of relief from four out of five very
Objectionable features of the Underwood con-
stitution, their labors do not meet with the
assent of all our people. We submit that to
accord the committee of nine more than
patriotic motive at this stage Of their labors
was not to have been expected.
1t was the purpose Of those opposed to the
new movement to hear Messrs. Stuart and
Baldwin patiently and silently. This was
prevented by the offering Of a resolution,
which virtually committed our people to an
cndorsation of the Few movement. j. Mar
shall Hanger, Esq, Directing to the ques-
ton being taken on the resolution until those
opposed to the new movement could be heard,
Coils. Christian and Skinner were loudly
called for and responded in able speeches,
not only opposing the resolution as ill-tlmed
and i'll advised, but successfully refuting the
reasons given by Messrs. Stuart and Bald
win why our people should endorse the new
movement. During the remarks Of Col.
Skinner the resolution was withdrawn, leav-
ing the subject just where it should be at
present. At the conclusion Of Col. SINNERS
speech Gen Echols made few remarks eu-
logizing the pure motives and patriotism Of
Messrs. Stuart and Baldwin, in the course
they pursued, subject which seemed not
to be mooted by even the most ardent oppo
ser of the new movement.
This. as concisely as we can state it, was
the result of the meeting on Monday. and
unless some positive good results, can be
shown, which will far outweigh the objec-
tionable features still retained in the Under
wood constitution, according to. the pro-
gramme Of the committee Of nine, the same
result will attend all similar efforts.
We still incline to the belief that the COM
mittee will not be able to accomplish any
thing, but should they secure what they de-
clare has been promised, we can only say so
far, SO good-but in our opinion this does
not 60 far enough.
In the language Of another, "the commit
tee have not asked that any qualification for
holding Office shall be inserted in the Con-
stitution, thus leaving all negroes eligible to
Office; nor have they asked that any qualif-
cation for jurors shall be inserted in that in
strument-thus leaving the very fountains
of justice exposed to corruption and defle-
ment: nor have they asked any modification
of the Goth section of the Bill Of Biz hts,
which reads, 'That all citizens Of the State
are hereby declared to possess equal civil and
political rights and public privileges )" nor
have they asked any modification of article
nine touching the Militia, which does not
provide for separate organizations of the
whites andsblacks; nor have they asked for
an additional section to article eight, requir-
ing that there shall be separate public schools
for the two races in the State; nor have they
asked any correction Of the iniquitous ger
rymander Of article five whereby the negroes
secure majority Of twenty-o ne in the Leg
islature; nor have they asked any modifca-
ton Of the article on Taxation, which throws
the entire burden of taxation on the whites"
Such features retained in the Under
wood Constitution, going bow-shot be-
yond that instrument. in binding ourselves
never to change Or amend the constitution
on the question Of suffrage. makes the labors
of the committee, if every point asked by
them were granted, SO exceedingly unpala-
table, that we do not believe they will be
accepted by those even who arg most ready
to sacrifice rights and principles op the altar
Of expediency.
No ! the sentiments Of a large majority Of
our people will be those expressed in the fol-
lowing extract from the address of Mr.. Stu
art. before large and enthusiastic meeting
in our Courthouse, in June 1866:
1--WE have been overwhelmed, but we have
not yet been degraded. That can be inAic-
ted only with our own consent, and that con-
sent never will be given. Our rights may
be ravished from us by violence but we will
never agree that Virginia shall be placed in
the position of a political prostitute by CIV
ing consent 80 Der own degradation and dis
honor"
We gave. in our last issue. the joint res
olution passed by the Lower House of Con-
gress, requiring the removal of officers in
Virginia, who could not take the test oath,
within 80 days:
This resolution, amended as follows, was