Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-01-19
Brief Thoughts on the New Movement F"

Brief Thoughts on the New Movement '
IF the distinguished gentlemen who compose
the Committee of Nine at Washington, or
any other number of gentlemen from Virginia
in whose intelligence, integrity, and patriotism
the citizens generally could as confidently rely,
had gone there for the purpose OF inducing
Congress to modify the Underwood Constltu-
ton. by striking from that diabolical instru~
ment its most Objectionable features, and re-
lieving the citizens from all disabilities save
those imposed by the l4th amendment OF the
Constitution, their mission would have had the
cordial approval and hearty "Godspeed'' OF
most of the conservatives in the State. The
opposition to the action of those who inaugu
rated the New Movement as it is called,
rests upon the two propositions which form the
foundation of their announced policy.
1st To enter into compact with Congress
by which the citizens of Virginia would agree
to accept negro suffrage in consideration OF be-
ing relieved from disfranchisement and lnellgl-
bility
End. To have a constitution, framed in &C
cordance with the nature of this compact, sub
mitted as an alternative at the same time with
the Underwood Constitution unchanged.
The Conservatives object to the first on the
ground that it abandons principle, and yields 1t
for questionable temporary expediency, which,
in the end would be found to be a very grievous
bargain. In word, they think it is paying
too dearly for the aohistle.
They object to the second, on the ground of
policy, believing that, if the attempt be made
to defeat the unchanged Underwood Constitu-
ton by voting for an alternative one guarantee
ing negro suffrage, the almost inevitable result
would be the adoption of the Underwood Con-
stitution with all its accumulate horrors
Thousands of Conservatives would feel that
they could not conscientiously cote for such
Constitution and thousands more aoould not
The result would be, the adoption of the I'm
derUood Constitution unchanged The propo-
sitions above stated should, in our humble
opinion, be abandoned by the Committee of
Nine," and they should, in lieu thereof, exert
their influence to induce Congress to SO modify
the Underwood Constitution as that it would
not be more restrictive than would be necessary
to make it conform to the 14th amendment,
and make it, in other respects, free from objec-
ton.
Then there would be but one Constitution
submitted, and no necessity would exist for any
man to vote in tauor of negro suffrage who did
not believe it to be both right and expedient.
IF that Constitution should be go modified, it
might. in that shape, be adopted, though thou>
sands, like ourselves, would vote against it, not
only because of its Objectionable character but
because the Convention which framed it was
an unconstitutional body, and its action was
not only violative of the rights of Virginia, but,
in the eye of the Constitution of the United
States, null and void
P. S.-Since the expression in brief of the
views above, we observe by the last papers re~
ceived that the Committee of Nine are now
seeking to secure modification of the Under
wood Constitution. We hope that they may
succeed in having it modified to the degree in
dictated above-more might be hoped for but
even that cannot be confidently expected
Blessed are they that expect little, for they will
not be disappointed
The EFFECT OF THE AMNESTY. Wednes
day, as announced by telegraph, District At
torney Darlington, In the Washington Criminal
court, entered nolle rrosequi in the matter of
the indictments against Jefferson Davis and
John G. Breckenridge for treason. He also
entered one in the case of j ohm H. Surf att, but