Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-05-31
TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA.
Address ofthe state Executive Com
mittee of the Conservative Fariy.

PEELED 70 address you brleny on tne III peuu'us
crisis. and the duties and responsibilities 1t |
imposes.
The recent Conservative Convention urged |
vou so organize for the purpose OF defeating |
such obnoxious provisions OF the Constitution
framed by the late Convention at Richmond
as may be separately submitted, and securing |
the election OF proper persons TO the hegls,a' |
ture;" but torebore to make any recommeouf-
ton in regard to voting on the ConStituti0o'
or for the principal State ohcers-, Ids de-
parture from the former policy OF the party IS
| due 10 great degree to change IN the con
duct of the government at Washington towards
the State and a corresponding change 10 the
sentiments of the people themselves. When
| il seemed the purpose 70 coerce the adoption
| of the Constitution as it came from the hands
gifts trainers, they were banded IN unquahed
opposition to it, and nominated candidates
who represented that opposition; but when 1t
became probable that in the form OF submitting
| it TO vote, an opportuni y would be afforded
| 70 expunge its most obnoxious features--theIe
by restoring to the white race its legitimate
| influence in the affairs OF the State, with the
accompanying power to effect future amehora
tons in the organic law-it became apparent,
that the plan of unconditional RESISTANCE 10 re-
construction had ceased to command the one
indispensable condition OF success" "aaed
people, Many Conservatives too, tatlgucd INTO
compliance by years oil passive suliering' hao
come 10 regard negro suffrage already rvrtted
on eight OF the Southern States n fixed Tact
in the destiny of them all; and TO accept 1t a.
such, along with the alterations which would
attend restored suffrage, restored eHgihlhty 10
Office, and the withdrawal OF military rule
The test vote in the Convention upon the poll :,
cy proper to be adopted in this altered state OF
circumstances, may probably be regarded as
fair cyponent Of the change which had taken
place in the minds Of the people A DECIDED ma
iority favored the new line OF action which was
adopted. To have gone into the approaching
struggle divided in counsel, and distracted by
he presence of candidates OF the several
| shades of opipou, represented by Wihers
Walker and Wells would have been to assure
the success of the last named, and perhaps the
adoption of the Constitution with all lls enor-
| mites Some compromise, therefore, became
indispensably necessary; aud that was 1ounI I'D
the spiri; OF generous concession with which
minority, marked for its Intelligence, purity
aud patriotism, Welded the ground OF uncondi-
tional opposition, aud in which the candidates
who had stood on that ground resigned their
| positions conduct worthy ol them, anu when
has entaled on their iellowciiZens an obligation
~ grateful as il will he firm and lasting. Those
cd - b., left free to vote al pleasure III the
election on the Constitution aud Tor State ON,
9 cel~. and the Convention accordingly frIralneh
from making any recommendations on those
,u,iets 1t prescribed no tests but confined
| It's eyhortatlons 10 those objects, a. To when,
If will be conceded all Conservatives agree
oppo,itlon 10 the cau' eS OF the constitution
which will be separately submitted, and Sc
curing the election OF proper Legislature
Much aud natural dissatisfaction - lett at
tie refusal to submit the County Organization
clause. TO a separate vote; and It has been sug
gcsted by some, whose opinions are entitled to
respect that the disappointment thus inflicted
furnishes a reason Tor reconSiderlng The
. policy adopted by the convention, and Tor ITS
re assembling for that purpose. But 1t would
seem that such measure would involve loss
of time, which could ill be spared from the
work Of organization and preparation for &C
, tion-woud induce doubt and distraction IN
our counses, and result at last in adherence to
the we'll considered conclusions already an
. nounced.
| Moreover, such course would be depar
. ture from that liberation OF dissenting opln-
ions, which induced the convention to leave
the vote on the constitution and on candidates
an entirely opcn question. Could the minority
Of that body by any process grow into a
!, majority on that question, it would surely be
an ungracious return TO prescribe test TO
those who differ with them, when they would
not willingly have accepted one themselves.
becoming majority they would, on the re as
sembling of the Convention, find their num-
, bers reduced--at least there is none to sup
, pose they have increased.
But the question which rises above all others
10 Importance is: Should not the white vote
be rallied in its full strength in opposition to
the test oath and DISTINGUISHING clauses? The
defeat of these clauses will be in effect meas
ure Of white emancipation. 1t will rescue the
, white race from political ostraclsm--restore to
it the control Of tho State and forever secure
, to the virtue, intelligence and property inter-
ests of the community, their legitimate infu-
, ence. 1t will empower those who pay the
taxes to levy and expehd them, thus frustrat-
, ing the organized spoliation which comblna'
ton of negroes, paupers and worthless adven.
turers would otherwise have inflicted. 1t will
confer the power Of change or repeal over the
Constitution itself, which under the system Of
, exclusion it designed to perpetuate, would
+ have been forever impossible. On this subject
r the State OF Tennessee affords mournful but
, instructive example. There, what practically
, constitutes the State s Just what was designed
| TO he organized under this constitution, in its
original FORM The blacks brutalized by years
2 of slavery joined with native whites, OF the
I lowest order, and adventures from abroad, ii
possible, worse, make up thu body polite.
{ | There We have seen a mob militia, white and
, black, headed by ruffian Governor, INDUCING
its proper instincts in their widest excesses
l.awless force nsurps the place of order and law.
> No right is sacred, no home is sale. Mean
, time the virtue, intellipen e and wealth OF the
State are wholly excluded from the Govern
! ment, and denied its protection. Those who
in fact own the State stand outside OF the or
pauization thus created, poweress to change,
because denied admission into il, And thus
must this unhappy people continue, until per
haps bloody revolution puts period to the
suffering they endure.
Dolly second in Importance to the successful
assertion of our rights as members OF the body
polite, will be the election of Legislature,
with the power and the disposition 20 avert or
, mitigate the various evils designed to be In
hiced under this constitution. The taxing
power will be in its hauds-the election Of
Judges and other State officers Legislation on