Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-05-04

ton is to De submitted 10 the people for ratlt-
cation or rejection, and at the same time an e.
lection is to be held for State officers; and where
as for the purpose of consolidating and making
effective the strength of the Conservative party
in the State in opposition to the said constitu-
ton the State Executive Committee and the
county and city superintendent, in the exer-
else of the powers confded in them on the
- day of -, 1868, did nominate State
ticket: Now, therefore, be it
''Resozued l. That the declaration of princi-
Piles unanimously adopted by the said Conven-
ton, composed of the representatives of the
white men of all parts of the State, is binding
upon this body until it shall have been revoked
or modified by another Convention of equal
powers and this meeting has no right to aban-
don the same.
SO, That the meeting earnestly recommend
to the people of Virginia to adhere steadfastly
to the declaration of principles and to the plan
of organization adopted by themselves in Con-
vention assembled, and to continue to follow
the leadership of their nominee for Governor,
who has upheld the principl of their organi-
cation with such conspicuous gallantry and de-
votion.
%. That the clauses of the Underwood con-
stitution proposed to be submitted to separate
vote are immaterial and insignificant compared
to the leading features of that instrument-ne-
gro suffrage, negro eligibility to Office.
a That the same number of votes that will
strike out the clauses to be submitted to sep
arate vote will, if polled to that effect, defeat
the whole constitution.
20 That the military rule Of one of our own
race, responsible to his superiors, is far prefer
able to the domination of an irresponsible null
titude of ignorant negroes and that, impelled
by these considerations, we call upon all white
men, whether native or adopted citizens, to
vote down the constitution, and thereby save
themselves and their posterity from negro suf-
frage, negro cfhce-holding, and its legitimate
Observation-Disclosures social equality.
20 That even were an abandonment of the
above mentioned principles to be agreed on by
this body, the seventh section of the election
law entitled An act authorizing the submission
of the constitution, &c. to the vote of the
people, holds the restoration of the State sub
ject to the subsequent action of Congress, and
that in this fact we find abundant reason to be-
lieye other conditions may be imposed upon us.
~. That the act in question imposes con-
dition precedent in the adoption Of the fifteenth
amendment, which is in violation of every
principle OF constitutional law, and should not
of right be endured by the people Of Virginia. -
Judge Ould, in submitting the majority re-
port, made an effective speech in favor thereof.
John Goode, Jr., spoke earnestly in favor OF
the minority report.
After some discussion, Mr. Shackelford Of
fered resolution pOstponing all action until ten
days after the Presidents proclamation govern
ing the election. Subsequently he withdrew
this, and moved to lay both reports on the ia
ble This was lost-ayes, %; noes, 80.
On motion, the Convention adjourned until
10 clock Thursday.
SECOND DAY, Thursday, April 29th.-The
Convention met at 10 ocock-Mr. Daniel in
the chair.
On motion of Mr.. Garnett, Hon. D. c. DE
Jarnette was appointed delegate from Caro-
line county, the regular delegate from that
county having left.
Major D. S. Hammond, from Amherst, re-
ported as delegate from that county.
The following additional delegates were re-
ported Colonel T. S. Flournoy, Halifax; J
s. Saunders, assistant superintendent, Gooch-
land Wood Bouldin, Jr., Charlotte; J. P.
Williamson, Petersburg; Charles G. Moore
Orange; A. H. Fl. Stuart, Augusta; W. T.
Sutherlin, Danville; j. A. Littlepage, King
William; William Watts, Geo. w. Hans
brough, Roanoke Ex-Governor VIM. Smith,
Fauquier; F. D. Jones, Cumberland d. s.
Hammond, Amherst; R. w. Hunter, Frede
rick; P. W. Mckinney, Prince Edward; VIM
Martin, Henry.
Mr.. McMuln moved that the hall be opened
for the public and the press generally.
The proposition was divided so as to admit
the press, irrespective of politics.
MIR. Hunter Marshall offered resolution
providing that vote be taken on the PROPOSE
tons of the Committee of Thirteen at
o'clock, and for the equal distribution Of time
between the advocates of the different propo
sitions. This was adopted.
Mr. Tohn Cooda .Tr arose and with a
propriate remarks withdrew the report of the
minority in order that the vote might be taker
on the proposition of Mr.. Shackelford adjourn
ing the Convention until ten days after the
proclamation of the President fixing the time
of holding the election in this State. Ht
thought that this would harmonic contendine
elements, and afford some solution of the diff
cuIties which surrounded them.
Mr.. Shackelford again urged his resolutions
and opposed any hasty action. He implied
from his remarks doubt as to the competency
of this body to take action upon matters Sc
grave, and touching the vital interests of the
entire people of the State.
Mr.. Baldwin expressed surprise at the change
of programme disclosed by the opponents tC
the majority report When this meeting was
called, it was proposed that 1t should be a pop
ular convention, and the counties and cities
were invited to send representatives. The
question had arisen as to whether the powers
of the body were equal to so momentous an oc
casion. 1t had been determined in committee
that the powers would be ample, and men had
been selected capable of giving fair represen-
| taton of the sentiments of the people, and Of
presenting the unbiased judgment of the Con
sentative party of Virginia. The expediency
of public meetings had been considered, and il
had been judged best to take the working men
of the party, whose zeal in fulfilling the duties
which had been assigned to them had proven
them true to the party, beyond all doubt, as
the properest and best body to consider the
great questions to be brought before them. :
The Convection had been called in the interest,
if not upon the suggestion, of those who held
the very doctrines held by the gentleman from
Norfolk (Mr. Goode). They claimed that GER
tain grave errors had arisen in the course pur-
sued by the party, and this body was to be a
purifying ordeal, through which it should pass
to correct them. But now it seemed that those
who got up the meeting, and refused to infuse
the popular element into it, had been struck
with the beauties of popular legislation. He
did not believe that the proposition could dc
any good. 1t was but postponement of the
difficulty to make worse one. 1t urged the
factions, and infuse into the body Of the peo-
pie feud and discord. That was the very OPP
posite of what should be desired If ever
there was a time when all good men should u
mite to afford immediate opportunity to crush
out discord it was now. 1t was time for cul-
tivating mutual Cancellation and forbearance
one toward another. Our candidates had re-
signed the trusts that had been confded to
them The question now was as to whether
they should thrust candidacy upon the peo-
pie for the purpose of crystalizing the differ
ences existing, and make them for the future