Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-01-12
Spirit Of the Press on the New Movement
From the Petersburg Evnress

Spirit Of the Press on the New Movement
From the Petersburg Express
1t is their own independent movement, in
which the executive committee of the white
man S party have nothing to do, and which, as
yet, is unauthorized by the people of Virginia,
and cratic from their present organization,
which we believe to be still compact and un-
broken, and Of which the twenty eight members
OF this independent movement claim to be a
part and part.
The entire results depend upon the action Of
Congressman then upon the people of Vir-
ginia.
From the Lynchburg News
From the telegram from Richmond, in an
other column, it appears the report of the cor
respondent of the Petersburg Index, published
in our issue Of Saturday, of the result of the
consultation Of Conservatives, held in Rich
mond on Thursday, was wholly incorrect. We
are now informed that this meeting did take
action on the subject it was called to discuss,
and action of highly important and we feel
compelled to say In Judgment, of very unwise
and suicidal character, and which will end in
anything but good to the Conservative cause in
the State. That the proposed scheme will Sc
cure the end contemplated, that of Kidding us
of the Underwood constitution we do not for
one moment believe. That radiance is only to
be attained by voting down that instrument
when it is presented for our action, as present
ed it will be, with all its Objectionable features
as surely as the sun rises in the east, notwith-
standing all our concessions, and all our offers
of compromise. These will be laughed to scorn,
and will be regarded by our Radical masters in
| Congress as evidence of the conscious weakness
| Of our cause on the part Of those who tender
them.
But we do not propose to discuss this ques-
ton more at length this morning. We simply
| designed to ask the calm and deliberate con-
sideration Of our people of the subject, as pre-
sented in the action of the meeting in Richmond,
and to express the sincere regret we feel, in
common, as we believe, with the vast majority
of the people of Virginia. that any respectable
body Of our fellow citizens should voluntarily
| propose scheme which places US at the feet OF
radical power as abject suppliants, and which
so dims the lustre of our proud old Common.
wealth.
From the Alexandria Gazette
| 1t will be seen by reference to an article in
another column, that some Of the prominent
gentlemen of this State have taken steps to
present an alternative proposition to Congress,
in relation to affairs in Virgina-the nature OF
which is expressed in the resolutions they
dopted This matter has been much mooted
in various quarters, Tor month past. Enter
tanning very grave doubts as to the practical
| bility or propriety of the movement, we have
avoided entering into discussion which was like
| ly to lead to division of sentiment and action.
| We have preferred, and do still prefer, that if
colored suffrage is to be adopted in this State,
it should be done, not by the invitation, action.
or concurrence Of the Conservative people of
the State-but by the force of circumstances
which they cannot prevent. We willingly admit
| q inf
Of the gentlemen concerned in this movement.
Their names are guarantee of their rectitude,
their honesty and their virtue and we certain
| ly have no wish to throw obstacles in the way
OF any OF our people who are anxiously seeking
| for restoration of peace aud harmony. We
! shall, therefore, continue to wait and see what
is the response of Congress to this movement,
if indeed, any response is to be given All the
indications now are that the people Of Virginia
will be required, first, simply to vote upon the
| Underwood constitution without any alternative.
| Upon that point therefore, all the Conservatives
| are agreed as to what is their duty. If an
alternative be allowed to be presented, then we
can discuss that. In the meantime, let it ever
be borne in mind that all our hopes for the
future, as far as political action or political
prospects are concerned, in Virginia, depend
upon the union, harmony and brotherhood OF
the Conservatives of the State. If they are
distracted or divided, if dissensions are allowed
in their ranks, they will lose every advantage
they now possess-and will fall into hopeless,
he'll less minority-easy victims to whatever
may be imposed upon them by the leaders Of
the Radical party. If we can, and we believe
we can, defeat the Underwood constitution
then let us unite upon the best practicable plan.
which is presented or which we may be allowed
to adopt, in relation to State government
From the Lynchburg Virginian
1t may be inferred from the foregoing that
we approve the action of the gentlemen recent
| ly convened in Richmond. And so we do. We
hope that they may be able to .Ranh Wells in
| Congress; but, whether they succeed or not,
the vast interests involved will justify the eff
fort We also favor, most heartily, the pro-
posed convention. When the last met, in De-
cember, 1867, there were strong hopes INDUCED
by the people Of the South that the madness of
Radicalism would be rebuked by the people of
the North. We were disappointed in that hope;
and now it only remains for us to accept the
situation and make the best of Let US have
new convention Of the people to consult and
agree upon some change of policy conformable
to the altered condition of affairs. Meanwhile,