Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-12-21
Governor walkers Statement.

Committee
Governor Walker said Gentlemen Of the
committee, intended to be here at the open
ing OF the session of the committee, when
supposed the members of the Legislature who
were appointed upon that commlttc We're pres
cnt in order that might hear the paper read.
CThe paper signed by Zeph. Turner and others.
! heard that paper read at the rooms OF the
committee, and | beeveit expresses the views
and intentions OF large majority OF the PEG
rIe Of the State of Virginia. We believe that
we have complied iully-at least we have tiled
to DO so-with every provision OF the recor-
struction laws OF Congress from beginning to
end. We have adopted a constitution which
was framed by a convention composed OF dele.
gates elected under the reconstruction laws. -
The constitution, believe, is republican in
form in every particular, as adopted by the
people. We have adopted that constitution BY
an almost unanimous vote Of the State and
believe it to be the firm intention OF the PEG
pe to accept that constitution entirely, fully
and in GOOD faith. There are some provisions
of that constitution which did not approve
Of and which DO not now, because | DO not
think they are adapted to our peculiar conal
tiuu. Orr territory is large: it IL SparooIy r p
u,
cation would be well for New York, it would
not be we'll for Virginia. But from an in
spection of the constitution, | am inclined o
think that the evil would be in Its mode OF eL-
ecuiion rather than in the article itself, and
think it can be applied to our State and whn
the people come to understand it they will be
satisfied with it. Every other provision Of th
constitution has been ratified by the peopb
cheerfully, and, | believe, voluntarily, in eveP
respect; and | believe they will execute tht
constitution in the utmost good faith.
You, | suppose, gentlemen OF the committee
know that spoke in various sections of TIN
State during the canvass, and | stated to tn
people everywhere that these were the rule
laid down for us to abide by, aud that, whe
we coniormed to them faithfully, | had no sor
of doubt of our prompt admission to the Union
believe we have complied in every respect
at least we have intended to-and we are her
to ask for prompt admission. The necessity 0
prompt admission may not be so apparent t,
you as to Us, The affairs OF the State for thu
last eight or nine yesre have been in the ut
most confusion, and for the greater part OF tn
last tour years the laws have been executed b.
the military commander; and under the circum
stances, as you will iind by the reports of tn
various commanders, it has been next to Al
impoSsibity to find men who could take the
iron clad oath to fill the offices OF the State. -
But even it there had been plenty to fill every
position in our State, still its government Is
unsettled; its financial condition to day is that
OF dishonor and 1t cannot be restored until We
have a legislature and can support ourselves
rs civil government. We need capital, we
need emigration and neither ofthosc will come
10 our State until we have settled evil gov.
crnment do not desire to dctan you, nt /
wish to say that | agree with the language Of
that address, because it expresses my idea, All
the IDEAS aud intentions OF our people. dc.
sire il known not july here, but everywhere
to CONGRESS and to our friends here OF the com
mittec, that the people Of the State ore IN ear
nest about this matter; that they are sincere.
and have alOptcd this cons,it"''nn, and ap
proved the pets of the legislature una. this
corsitutinn hOncstlr and sincerely ana that
they will accept tins constitution IN entire P""l
faith in every particular.
By Mr.. BUTLER. VIII you allow M the
single question Some Of Us have been toiC
that there il an intention on the part ct The
legislature, ut S0lur portion OF the people u
Virginia, ~ soon rs the State ii admitted int
the Union, to have the legislature call new
convention, or thet the people will cali new
convention, and alter the constitution, taklnG
out the features Of equality OF rights, equality
Of education, and equality OF taxes, which arr
in the present constitution, ~ soon rs they cal
get the power under such circumstances tina
they cannot he controlled by tongres. Do yol
know or believe that any such intention exists
and il So, tn what extent
GovERNoR WALKER / have never hcarC
of any such intention, and do not believe
there is such an intention. There are Il great
many reasons why there should not be any
such serious design. Ia the first place, We art
too enxous TO be settled State government
without turmoil and confusion In the next
place, We have no power to hold q convention
But We have been in Il canvass, and il YEA:
said to the co0red people that We would ac
cept this constitution ana abide by it, and
stand by their rights, and show at ali times
that they should be defended in them. And
when our people pledge themselves to do l
thing they are very sure to do it, L have nc
sort of doubt about the result. as there are q
great many reasons operating why they shouIC
not change this constitution, There are some
questions of geographical positions which
would control in that respect, ii no other con
sidcrations did. There are here gentlemen
from the north side Of the James, AID asl
from the south side OF it, and [ had Just a.
lief state my views upon this question here al
not. The colored vote Of the State controls the
south side of the river and tide water, and the
white vote controls the north side and western
portion OF the State, and they are determined
to maintain and retain that strength which
they now hold
| have heard this determination expressed
by large numbers OF gentlemen from those sec
tons Of the State, and if there are no other
reasons this would be sufficient. But. gentle
men, the people of Virginia have solemnly
pledged themselves to maintain the civil und
political rights of the colorei men, and in my
opinion there is not the slightest doubt but
that they will faithfully fulfill their pledges
They have said it, and they will abide by it.
SO far as the system of common schools i:
concerned, there is also no doubt in my mind
of its faithful execution. The real objection tt
colored suffrage was the ignorance Of the col
ored people But now, having conceded the
right OF suffrage to the co!ored people, they
feel that they should be educated in order that
they nay properly appreciate the elective tran
chise | advocated upon the stump the neces
sity of a borough system OF common schools
open to all the children Of the State, and Sc
far as my influence should extend such sys
tenn should be established.
Mr., Charles IL. Porter made statement Ia
tie committee to the effect that Governor
l.. ] i Il 4