Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1869-06-03
TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA.
A ddress of the state Executive Com
miffee Of fh.a Conservative Party.


urged you stto organize fer the purpose of
defeating such obnoxious provisions of the
Constitution framed by the late Conyen-
ton at Richmond as may be separately
submitted, and securing the election of
proper persons to the Legislature; but
forebore to make any recommendation in
regard TO voting on the Constitution, or
fol- the principal State officers. This de-
parture from the former policy Of the par
ty is due in great degree to a change in
the conduct of the government at Wash
ington towards the State, and CORES
ponding change IN the sentiments of the
people themselves. When it seemed the
purpose to coerce the adoption Of the Con-
stitution as it came from the hands of It's
trainers, they were banded in unqualified
opposition to it, and nominated candidates
vino represented that opposition but when
it became probable, that in the form of
submitting it to the vote, an opportunity
would be afforded to expunge its most OBJ
noxious features thereby restoring to the
white race its legitimate influence in the
affairs of the State, with the accompanying
power to affect future ameliorations IN the
organic law-it became apparent, that the
plan Of unconditional resistance to recon-
structon had ceased to command the one
indispensable condition Of success-a uni-
ted people. Many conservatives too, IA
tigued into compliance by years Of passive
suffering, had come to regard negro suf
frage already riveted on eight of the South
ern States as fixed fact in the destiny of
them all; and to accept it as such, along
with the alleviations which would attend
restored suffrage, restored eligibility to Of
fee, and the withdrawal Of military rule
The test vote in the Convention upon the
policy proper to be adopted IN this altered
state of circumstances, may probably be
regarded as fair exponent of the change
which had taken place in the minds Of the
people A decided majority favored the
the line of action which was adopted. To
have gone into the approaching struggle
divided in counsel, and distracted by the
presence of candidates Of the several shades
of opinion, represented by Withers, Wal
ker and Wells would have been to assure
the success Of the last named, and per-
haps the adoption Of the Constitution with
all It's enormlties. Some compromise,
therefore, became indispensably necessary:
and that was found in the spirit Of gener-
Gus concessions with which a minority,
marked for its intelligence, purity and pa
triotism, yielded the ground of uncondi-
tlonal opposition, and in which the candi-
dates who had stood on that ground re-
signed their positions worthy Of
them. and which has entalled on their
fellow citizens an obligation as grateful as
it will he firm and lasting. Those who
dissented from the majority. only required
to be left free to vote at pleasure III the
election on the constitution and for State
officers and the Convention accordingly
RETAINED from making any recommended
tons on those subjects. 1t prescrlbes no
tests, but confined its exhortations to those
objects, as to which ii will be conceded +,
all Conservatives agree-opposluon to the
clauses of the constitution which will be
separately submitted, and securing the
election of proper Legislature.
Much and natural dissatisfaction is felt
at the refusal to submit the County Or
ganization clause to a separate vote; and
it has been suggested hy some, whose
| opinions are entitled to respect, that the
disappointment thus inflicted furnishes a
reason Tor reconsidering the policy adopted
by the convention, and for It's re assem-
bling for that purpose. But it would seem
that such a measure would involve loss
of time, which could ill be spared from the
work Of organization and preparation for
action would induce doubt and distrac-
ton in our counsels, and result at least in
adherence to the well considered ooaclu-
sions already announced.
Moreover such c3urse would be de-
parture from that liberation Of dissenting
opinions, which induced the Convention to
leave the vote on the constitution and on
candidates an entirely open question. Could
the minority Of that body by any process
grow into majority on that question, it
would surely he an ungracious return to
prescribe a test to those who differ with
them,. when they would not willingly
have accepted one themselves. But there
is reason to believe that instead OF becom-
ing majority they would On the reas-
sembling of the Convention, find their
numbers reduced-at least there is none to
suppose they have increased.
But the question which rises above all
others in importance is: Should not the
white vote be rallied in It's full strength
in opposition to the test-oath and disfran-
chising clauses The defeat of these clau-
ses will be in effect measure of white
emancipation. 1t will rescue the white
race from political ostracism to it
the control of the State, and forever Sc
cure to the virtue, intelligence and prop
erty interests of the community, their le-
gltimate influence. 1t will empower those
who pay the taxes to levy and expend
them, thus frustrating the organized spo-
liation which combination of negroes,
paupers and worthless Adventures would
otherwise have inflicted 1t will confer
the power of change or repeal, over the
Constitution ITSELF which under the sys-
tenn of exclusion it designed TO perpet-
| udle, NUulu nave UCCH lOTCNeT lul pOSSlUlG.
On this subject the State of Tennessee
affords mournfnl, but instructive exam
pie. There, what practically constitutes
the State is just what was designed to be
organized under this constitution, in its
original form The blacks brutalized by
years of slavery, joined with native
whites of the lowest order, and adventu.
rers from abroad, if possible, worse make
up the body politic. There we have seen
a mob militia, white and black headed by
rufin Governor, INDUCING its proper
instincts in their widest excuses. Law
less force usurps the place Of order and
law. No right is sacred, no home is safe.
/ hn j