The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-06
HUMPHREYS

| n"N-E .
| even went so far as TO visit the conven-
| tion and urge the repeal OF the test oath
But what | said seemed not &c have the
slightest influence. / enclose newspaper
report, which Is pretty accurate one.
Of what / said. and which will show that
have at least done my DUTY In that re-
gard, If not more.
The same banefui influence that secur-
ed the election OF a majority of ignorant
blacks. and equally ignorant or unpr1n-
cipled whites TO the convention, has prov
ed sufficient to hold them firmly TO their
original purpose. They could only hope
TO hold Office by disqualifying everybody
in the State who is capable of discharg-
ing official duties. and all else tc them
was of comparatively slight importance.
Even the question whether their consu-
tuition will be ratified or rejected they
treat with indifference. Congress. they
say, will make IL all right anyway.
or course / may be mistaken, but my
opinion is that the constitution must be
adopted. This would not be a serious
matter If 1t 0he constitution were
good one. and good officers could be elect
ed under 1t. But il seems hardly possible
that the union party can organize upon
satisfactory basis for the election. The
negroes and their associates viii doubt
less insist upon unqualified endorsement
of the constitution by their nominees.
This the respectable whites will not give.
Hence the late convention will be repro
duced in the Legislature, large major
ity being either worthless radicals. white
and black, or bitter opponents Of recon-
struction upon the congressional plan.
The danger is that we will have on our
hands not only one big elephant in the
constitution but a host of little ones in
the shape OF off1cers-elect who are not
fit TO be installed-a prospect not very en-
couraging at least.
Ny impression is that the wisest course
would be 10 let the thing fall and die
where It is-not to submit 1t to the peo-
pie at all. We can then go on putting
Union men in Office and reorganizlng
the provisional government upon a loyal
basis, until the friends OF reconstruc-
ton get control Of the State. Then a
convention can be called which will
frame a constitution fit to be ratified by
the people of the State and approved
by Congress and the country at large.
If Congress would give a little more
latitude in the selection of officers by
modifying the test oath there would be no
difficulty I'm filling all the offices I'm the
State with men who would aid restora-
ton. Without some change. the work of
reorganization cannot be carried very
far. The view of the question which I
have given above Is, of course, the local
one; but il seems to me the rational one
leads to the same conclusion. | can't
see how the endorsement of such a con-
stitution as this one, by the Republi-
can party. can be otherwise than dam
aging To them in the North. Would it
not be wise for Congress TO say at once.
We reject. once and for all, prcscriptive
constitutions?
have written this letter merely to
suggest points that occur TO me as
worthy Of very careful consideration. |
suppose Congress alone can determine
what is to be done
AS explained in my official letter to-
day, I feel bound to await the action Of
Congress before ordering an election.
The nominating conventions Of the two
parties meet in Richmond on the 9th
and 7th Of May. Perhaps II may be best
for Congress to await their action before
determining the question.
As was to be expected, and In spite of
any Influence which the military COM
mander could properly exert, that pro-
posed constitution. like those francs in
the other States perpetuated the worst
feature Of the acts Of Congress. II dis
qualified all the respectable whites from
any active part In the government. leav-
ing the negroes and carpet haggers" full
sway SO sweeping was this disqualif-
cation that In many parts of the State
not a native Nirginian, white or black,
who could be found who could read or
write. and who would be eligible for cleo
ton or appointment to any Office. In my
great anxiety to save the State from so
great an evil. ] went 10 the hall Of the
convention and explained the impossi-
biity OF organizing under such a consti-
tuition and besought the convention 10
strike out the disqualifying clause was
listened to with cold respect. my advice
was disregarded, and promptly after my
departure the constitution was finally
adopted and the convention adjourned
sine die
But the State was, nevertheless saved
from the impending disaster The act
OF Congress required that the constitu-
ton be submitted to the people for rati-
hcation or rejection: but Congress had
expenses OF an election. If an election
was to be held. the money must be taken
from the treasury Of the State. by order
of the district commander, or else Con-
gress must make a special appropriation
for that purpose. | declined to sanction
the use OF the peoples money for any
such purpose refused to order an cleo
ton for ratification or rejection Of the
obnoxious constitution, and referred the
matter to Congress- with a recommended
ton that the people be authorized to vote
separately on the disqualifying clause-a
which the convention had de-
MED.
The radicals in Congress were so glad.
apparently. of this mode of escape from
a result so obnoxious to the bitter sense
Of the union people at that time. that not
a voice was raised In favor OF the carpet
bag" constitution or in disapprobation Of
my action in regard TO II. The instru-
ment was permitted to rest quietly in the
pigeon hole OF the district commanders
desk until the next year Then an act
was passed providing for submitting that
TO the people of Virginia.
with the privilege OF voting separately on
the DISTINGUISHING clause. which clause
they OF course. rejected. Thus Virginia
was saved from the vile government and
spoliation which cursed the other South