The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-04-28
J THE convention-Tne Situation.

: THE Convention-The Situation.
The Convention Of the State Executive
Committee and the Superintendent Of
Counties Of the Conservative party will
meet day at IL o'clock at the Exchange
Hotel, a number Of gentlemen arrived
yesterday, and there was good reason to
anticipate a large meeting to-day. We
trust this expectation may be realized.
That the members viii address them.
solves to the important matters for their
elaboration with q calmness and earnest
ness worthy Of the occasion we cannot
doubt. The attitude Of the State is plain.
The facts bearing upon us stare us in bold
relief; and they are not to be disputed, and
their consequences as little to be evaded.
The Offices Of the State have been swept,
and are bat partially filed by persons who
CAL, take the iron-clad oath. The attempt
to organize the Government upon that oath
proves that as long as it prevails there can
be no well-organized government in Viz
pinia-and for the want Of that the State
must, during that time, be kept IN q con-
dition of poverty and distress.
The State is about to be called on to vote
upon the question Of the constitution en-
bracipg this test-oath, and also to elect
Governor, Congressman, and Legislators
We arc to be permitted to vote on purgiDg
the constitution Of its most obnoxious
clauses, through the influence OF General
GRANT with Congress. One Of three re-
suits must occur:
LIST. We may adopt the constitution as
whole.
I'd. We may succeed in adopting the ex-
purgated constitution and
Sd. We may reject the constitution.
II the frst-named result happens, the
white people of the State will, with an in
considerable exception, be disqualified nom
holding Office, and there will be installed
in Office party which will, as long as posi-
Bile, continue this sweeping disqualification
that they may monopolize the Offices of the
State. This condition will be infinitely
worse than the present mixed military and
civil government for the military power
acts as check upon the civil officers who
are in place by military appointment.
There can be no trust in such government,
and there can be no order and contentment
as long as the white peopl. are in bonds,
and denied even the privileges accorded to
negroes.
In the second named event, the people
will be relieved from test-oaths and be eligi-
BILE to Office and full participation in the Go,
vernment. Thus freed, we can have a good
government, directed by experienced men
of integrity and reliability. Wewill have
restoration of order and confidence, and
NIL the conditions essential to enterprise,
industry, and prosperity.
Should the third result occur, which is
the least possible of all. where ere we
The present Governor is in Office, and no
change will be made in our situation for
the better. Indeed, there is every reason
to believe that rejection Of the constitu-
tion-while we are permitted to vote down
it's most obnoxious features-which we could
do easier than reject it altogether-would
be considered as an act Of contumacy at
Washington, and be made the pretext
for imposing upon US measures morerigidly
in the line of penalties than any yet pre-
pared for US. Who will, after four years
of poverty and affection, open the scene Of
another woeful period Of uncertain dura-
ton and threatened calamities when it is
possible to avoid it and reconstruct the
State upon basis from which We may
soon work out our political and physical
redemption?
Questions like these at this day admit Of
no fine rhetoric. They are too solid and
serious for forid defamation and senti-
ment. We want action-immediate, practi-
cal, and wise and this is the sort Of action
which we are satisfied the Convention this
day means to take.