The New York herald., 1874-09-09

was taken. In this way tho Convention, from
which 30 much was expected, nnaly ended A few
progress, MT. Fernando Wood, OF this city, offered
resolution In the House OF Representatives,
to take into consideration the condition OF the
country to which all the States-North ahd south
were TO be invlied 10 send delegates. Mr.. woods
resolution was tabled.
NECESSITY FOR A NATIONAL CONVENTION.
national convention that would assemble at
the present time to consider the war, its conse
quences and results and how best the Union can
ADJUST itself to the new conditions It has left us,
would nave the highest ana most patriotic duties
to perform. 1t would have to devise measures to
avoid anarchy. war OF races and reputation.
toward which many OF the Southern States are
drifting; 1t would have to suggest measures for
reconciling the interests OF the negroes ana
whites and establishing harmony bet tween them,
as for either veal or woe, the two peoples have
to remain In the future side by side together,
as tney have In the past. and the policy which
has been pursued since the close OF the war
OF treating the Southern States as con-
quered territory would In such convention be
led to the existence OF the present deplorabe
dltOn oil afiairs. There are immense resources In
ment, and industries that were destroyed by the
war that could be readily revived by proper AID.
The prosperity that wonld follow the restoration
OF order and the revival Of business the South
would be shared IN by every part of Inc Union
But before this can be accomplished the negroes
must be rescued from the bad influence OF the
carpet-baggers aud inspired with confidence In the
friendly intentions and sincere good win of their
white fellow citizens. The freedmen should pe en-
couraged 10 acquire property and become lree
holders as the pest means OF giving them an inter-
est In good and economical government. The cor
rupt and In some cases illegal State governments
should be put aside and the best men, white and
black. intrusted with the administration OF the
Jaws.
THE QUESTION OF SUFFRAGE
Is one that requires most careful consideration
The states have no power to make color or race
an lmpedlment 20 the right OF voting, put they can
the case at present in Rhode Island where the
possession OF certain amount OF property Is q
frage. A similar law in the southern States would
be productive OF the highest possible amount OF
the adventurers and iterate negroes who have
robbed, ruined and dsgraced the states In which
they have had control. Governor Kershaw, one Of
the most prominent conservatives in South Caro-
Ina may be accepted as expressing the views OF the
educated whites in the following language used in
letter recently written by him:-"To secure CO.
operation between the blacks and whites the
honest colored people should be invited to full
share in public Offices The power intrusted to US
should be administered without favor or prejudice,
so as to secure the best interests OF the whole
people, and to protect equally IN the enjoyment OF
BILE, an0 promote the welfare Of all alike so far as
may come with the sphere OF the government.
Upon such principles only can harmony and good
government be secured III the present state Of
society here. Cooperation in this good work would
lead to material dependence, respect and good Will
aud tend more to the elevation and development
Ol the cOlored people than all other possible eX-
pedients." This language, coming from distn
gulshed Southern man, SHOWS how willing the edu-
Gated classestare to DO justice to the negro, and
places at fault the views OF those who attribute
10 them desire to keep the blacks IN degraded
condition. In calling national convention all
parry lines should be ignored and past failures,
errors and mshaps forgotten All good citizens,
in the cause OF order honesty, intelligence and
virtue in the government oil the Southern States.
Nothing but disaster to the South can be looked Or
as matters now stand, aud there Is no way OF
avoiding 1t except through the wisdom of ma
tional convention, which should be called without
delay.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONvENTION-17s7.
The National convention OF 1887 was assembled
with the great object OF framing system OF gov
ernment Tor the united interests OF the thirteen
original States Dy which the forms and spirit Of
republican liberty could be preserved. The
underlined and 1t found itself unable to enforce Its
will except through State action and State Oficers
Tn@ necessity OF some clearer ero specica
urgent and led to the adoption OF articles OF
confederation, which were assented to by
cede the iull measure OF authority essential to the
vlgor and efficiency OF the government, the estab-
lisnment of public credit ana the preservation of
latin with public creditors. An army could not be
kept in the field on q permanent footing, capable
Of holding the enemy IN check. The crty OF New
York iel into The hands OF that enemy, the inter
mediate country between this city and Pnilade
phia was overrun. and from the latter capital the
seat Of the general government, Congress was
Obliged
TO FLY BEFORE THE INVADING FOE.
JauR0t Oy CneSe events tnat q near intimate
union was necessary to the dellverance OF the cOun
try from foreign yoke convention OF delegates
from the States was therefore caied, as sug.
gested by Hamilton, on the recOmme n datiOn Ol
Congress, to prepare amendments to the articles
OF confederation. 1t met in Philadelphia, May,
1851, and organized by electing General WASH
irgtou President. The Convention was a body OF
great and dlsinterested men, competent, both
morally and TO sne r WORK assigned
theories and their acute perception OF principles
iur comprehensive patriotism, justice and mag
nv rhauv fvrllu fvNt%r ooad tt.o
idea that the States had mutual interests; that
each Of them had relations with the others, and
sne S a o aus MS
cess; and that even It's own internal peace and
prosperity required some external protection.
Being satisfied mat something beyond mere
amendments to the agreement then In force was
required, the members proceeded to frame
and Spo0 H. s7
submitted to convention OF eacn state
for ratification, it being provided that the ratin-
tabllshment between the States so ratiiying.
Eleven States. at the end OF July. 1883, dneOndl-
proposing amendments Is Tor the consideration OF the
hrst Congress that would assemble under it. and
one OF the five calling Tor second general conven-
ton to act upon the amendments desired.
NORTH CAROLINA AND RHODE ISLAND
held alOof for some time, bnt finally assented In
fully organized and put In operation nnder ihe con.
sttution, March 4, 1889. The constitution contains
within itself provision for the calling OF future
conventions for amendment or revision, but none
has hitherto been called; the amendments thus
far having been all made under another provision
by which Congress proposes and the States ratify.
Tne Convention had no power to enact or estab-
lish anything. 1t was representative body
clothed with authority to agree upon a system OF
government to be recommended to the adoption
OF their constituents. In like manner a national
cOnventiOn called at the present time to consider
the condition OF the South, would recommend
measures to be afterward given the lorce OF law by
competent authority:
OPINIONS FROM VIRGINIA.