Year: 1867




The annexed letter we copy from the
Boston Adpsrtiscr because uf its timely
though indirect refutation of the ISLANDERS
sent from Alabama by the Associated Press
agents. 1t part of a business letter to the
head Of well-known cotton firm in Boston,
and is therefore the more reliable because
written from non partisan standpoint.


We do not hesitate to deny the reports re-
Gently sent by the Associated Press of dis
affection among the Republicans of either
color in Alabama at the constitution Just
framed, or the State nominations made under
it. The so-callcd Conservative Republican
delegates. wha are reported as protesting
against the ratification of the instrument,
are not Republicans, but reconstructionists
of the Forsyth School; men who accept the
Congressional plan, not because they believe
in it, but because they do not see any other
way out of the difficulties that surround
them. Republicans must take with many
grams ofallOwance any Southern reports Of
the Associated Press. Their first dispatches
are always in the interest of the rebels. while
denials Of any statement come SO slowly as
to lose their value. But to the letter:


MONTGOMERY, ALA, November 2S, 1867.


DEAR SIR: Thinking a few lines from
this point would not prove uninteresting ut
the present juncture, avail myself of the
leisure afforded by days rest in my jour
neyings to give you a brief account of the
sayings and doings of the convention now
assembled in the State Capitol.


confess / had not formed very favJra-
bile opinion of this convention, Judging
from the numerous reports afoat in all parts
of the country. Judge, then, of my agreea-
ble surprise when, on being brought els q
els with its members in session, I beheld q
respectable and dignifed body of men,
naiuly achites, whose orderly department
and respectful demeanor at once arrested
my attention, and banishcd all disposition
for ridicule or contempt. soon secured
myself seat, and remained watching the
proceedings for some time. The debates
were very interesting, and displayed much
vigor of thought and terseness of expression.
By wise rule adopted early in the session,
each speaker was limited to ten minutes,
which secured condensation in argument,
while it added variety to the entertainment
for an outsider like myself. The discussions
were chiefly carried on by the whites, whose
quicker intelligence and reader discernmcut
gave them a decided advantage. Occasion
ally, however, a colored member essayed to
express himself, which he did in his own
original style, | do not mean common planta-
tion talk, but in tolerably good grammatical
language, remarkable chiefly for the absence
of any regular method in its composition
The illustrations used in the course of argu-
ment were often homely and occasioned
n,erriment, but seemed quite appr0pos to
the points at. issue. might remark in
passing that some of these colored delegates
have had DO mean education, and possess,
in addition the advantages of a varied ex-
perience. All the members seemed impress
ed with the importance of the work in which
they were engaged, and anxious to see 1t
well done. There were men there whose
gray hairs and self-collected mien betokened
ripe experience and careful Judgment
Others there were in the prime of life, whose
serious aspect, and yet more restless manner,
told of greater intellectual vigor and more
eager interest. The few young men of the
assembly kept themselves modcstly in the
background, and seldom spoke. a.f 4.


Take it all in all, as / have heard it fire.
quently remarked since my arrival, a more
sober and orderly Legislative body was never
before assembled at the State Capitol
Drinking is very rare among its members,
and those who remember the disgraceful
scenes formerly so much in vogue cannot
but draw favorable comparison of the
present state OF affairs with them. As to
the composition of the convention in other
respects, find very erroneous ideas prevail
ak~ rf <,f
Northern adventurers and negroes, of which
many suppose it to be made up, learn,
upon careture inquiry, that fully three
fourths of the whites, to say nothing of the
Others, are old residents OF good standing in
their several communities. Many of them
are lawyers of known talent, and few have
worn the judicial ermine That the did not
command larger support from the whites
is due in a great measure to the tenor of
public opinion, which kept numbers away
from the polls. The combined efforts of the
old secession element and the renegade Re-
publicans who have scattered themselves
everywhere in the South for the purpose of
stirring up strife have succeeded for tho
time being in depriving the people of their
senses on the question of reconstruction
But that truth will in the end prevail have
no doubt. Ali that remains is for Congress
to act firmly and with moderation, and We
shall soon see the States creeping back one
by one into their former loyal status.


Hoping you may find the above of auf-
ficient interest to repay perusal, and with
liberty to publish if you think proper, | re-
main, dear sir, yours, very truly, -


9 posTscRrPr. ~ 4.fa