The Lancaster ledger. (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, December 19, 1867, Image 2
The New Alabiina Constitution.
Moxtqomkut, December 12.? Th? Ad. I
vtrtiser of this morning publishes the pre- {
amble and resolutions adopted by the
Montgomery Council of tho Union Loyal
League, denouncing the new constitution !
and calling on the colored leaguers to aid
in defeating it, declaring that the delegates
to th? Convention went far beyond tho
purview of their duties and instructions, i
and framed a constitution disfranchising
and proscribing a portion of the most ill
telligent and law abiding citizens of Alabama,
and characterized in every feature
?
vy n iiuuivsu motive oi revenge anil Uatred,
and resolved, tirst, that id the opin.
ion of this Council, the said constitution is
ftu intatnous fraud upou tho rights of the
people of this State, and will, if ratitie<l,
inevitably result in tho dobarrmont of the
white race, and the destruction of the
black.
2d. That we Cannot, consistently with
our obligations as members of the Uniou
Loyal League o( America, give aid or
support iu any manner whatever to the
nefarious sclrcme to destroy at one fell
swoop the peace, happiness arrd prosperity,
for all time to come, of the whole people
of the Slate of Alabama.
3d. That we, as Uniou Republicans,
and as members of the Montgomery Coun
cil of America, call ou all law abiding
and Union loving colored men of Alaha'
ma to unite with us in our efforts to defeat
the adoption of this constitution, which
embodies principles dangerous to constitu
tional liberty, promotive of civil war bei
tweeu the races, and destructive cf all tbo
ends of good government.
4th. That wo denounce as contempti
ble an effort on the part of a few of the
members of this Council, who "re mere
political advonlurers, to break up the same
because they had failed to make it subservient
to these vilo political schemes.
The above resolutions are put forth by
the authority of Leaguo as a true copy of
(be minutes of the Council, and signed by
llie Secretary. Serious divisions in the
Radical ranks are taking place in otber
sections of tho State. The "Advertiser"
of to morrow will contain a statement on
tb? authority of the citizens of Autauga
county, that the colored loval leaguers
have been irreconcilably split in conse.
queuce of the objectionable features of the
constitution framed by the Convention,
and the caucus of tjie members of the
Convention, who nominated for Slate ofTit
cars all whites, and all members of the
Convention, and leaving blacks out in the
cold. At tho county seat of Kingston but
two loyal leaguers are loft, both white
men. So far as heard from, a split of the
leaguers has also taken place in Bulloek,
Pike and Barlow counties from the same
causo.
The Conservatives are organizing clubs
throughout the State to defeat tho con
titution at the coming election, and in
cartain sections are receiving large acces
sroas or 106 colored olement. In rratti
vilie, Autagua county,on Saturday, over
fifty, men joined the Conservative club,
uniting with the whites, and denouncing
the constitution. A call, signed by color d
men, for the formation of colored Com I
servative clubs here, declares its object
shall bo, first, the cultivation of mutual
assistance and good feeling, without which
there can be neither peace, prosperity or
repose to either. 2. To support in the
approaching election the policy of our own
tried people, neighbors and friends, whose
capital furnishes us employments, and
whoso roofs shelter us, in preference to
that inaugurated by strangers nnd their
allies. 3. To disoonrage by all means in
our power that war of rAcet which evil
ooutuels and ignoranco seem to be hasten
ing, anj which once inaugurated will re
nult in our certain And Bpeedy destruction.
Beverley Nash and that Speech.
The Winnsboro jVt'U'S, publishes a com"
muoieation, signed by J. A. Hinnant, to
which several certificates (sworn to before
a magistrate) Are appended, in which the
author asserts that on the 9th (Iav of
November last, he heard Beverley Nash
make a speech at a barbecue given by the
Uuion League in Fairfield District, near
Jacob Bookman's mill:
"Nash said the negro never would get
justice at law while the jury was composed
of white men ; that there had been
already 210 uegroes murdered in Bouth
Carolina, (meaning those tbat had been
hung,) and Governor Orr dare not carry
into execution tbe sentence passed by tho
court of Piokeos District, on the six negroes
to bo bung aDd eighteen to be sent
to the penitentiary, for killing a boy four
teen years old. If he (lid, he would not
remain in office six days after the Con
vention met. lie told the negroes to wait
and not contract yet, for there was better
times ahead; and not contract at all for
the third, for it was tho little end of notlu
ing; and if they would wait until the lit
day of February next, the white men
would get down on their knees to them ;
the negroes could do better without the
white uiau than he can without the ne
groes lie further said that the white
man had always been in power, and
vbamM ' '
wuuiu n.nnjo IQIIialU IU piJWOrll Wiey a 111
not gain it at the ballot box. If the H?i
publican party failed in the coming eleci
tion, rather than aee the white man remain
in power, he would shoulder his musket
and see these hills bleached with hones
and the gullies run with blood, rather
than remain under the white man's pow
er ; and, pointing to the crowd around,
asked 'would tb?7 follow him !' and the
answer was 'jee/ 'yea.' "
Wht Gkm. Smkiiman is irf Washinoi
tom.?A letter in the Baltimore G cue tic
says:
"The President would have resisted
suspension and in this resistance ho would
base been sustained by (Jen. Kherman, if
not by other general oflicers of the army.
Hence the General's pre once at the na
tional capital. The rerdaut individual
who would argue that he came only to
rile np a rpport on Indian affairs, be
cause, forsooth, the emergency did not
arise for his assuming command of the
Depsrtment of Washington, exhibits a
lack of judgment, if not of brains."
j&r
f? BIM ^ I III
Caurustcr linger.
PUBLISHED AT LANCASTER G. II. S. 0.,
v
Ol9!VOftS A C AHTER.
| THURSDA7 MORNING, DKC., 19, 1807.
Subscribers finding a (X) cross murk on tin;
margin of their paper may know that their
timo is ahout lo expire.
TERMS FOR SUBSCRIPTION.
For one year, in advance, $3 00
For MXtoentlis, " >, 1 60
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T) 1 .
uau&t ajjkty
We regret to see a disposition manifested
in some quarters to cast odium upon per
sons who aro so unfortunate an to be under
the necessity of applying for the benefits of
the late Congressional l'ankrupt Act.?
Tliis, we apprehend, is the result of false
conceptions of the objects ami purviow of
the la w,snd as it is a new thing in our time
and generation, public opinion should be
properly directed in reference to it; or
else injustice may bo dono a class of persons
who are the object# of public sympathy,
rather than censure.
We believe that the law is well adap
ted to the present time and circumstances,
and that the public good, as well as prii
rate interests, will be subserved by it.?
Our forefathers foreseeing the consei
qtiences of financial revulsions and politi
cnl revolutions, to which all governments
are liable, very wisely engrafted in the
Federal Constitution a provision by which
Congress was empowered to make, at any
lime, a general bankrupt law, which
would be binding in its operations upon
all of the States. This power cannot
be said to have been abused by the last
Congress in the pnsaago of the Act in
question ; for if such a law could be pro
per under any circumstances, it would
seem to be peculiarly so in its application
to the present embarrassed and ruined
condition of tho Southern States. Many
of our people, as the result of events
which they could not control, find them
selves involved in debt to an extent, which,
with their presest resources, it will be ut.
toriy* impossible for them ever to pay. In
such ensos, would it be desirable, either
for the creditor or for the public pood, to
keep these debtors bound for a life time,
their spirits broken and energies cramped,
eking out a useless existence; or would
It bo better for all concerned,to take what
they have, relieve them of legal liability
for past debts, and give them encourage- 1
ment and opportunity to practice industry
in the future, thereby benefitting them'
selves and the community in which they
live! Clearly, it appears to us, the latter
is the best policy; so thought Con
gress, and the present law is the result of
their conclusion.
The idea of a general repudiation of 1
all debts, with which tho public mind was
so pregnant a short time ago, and which
some still entertain, is as impracticable as
it it unjust and morally infamous. To
say that all contracts shall become null
and void, is to say that wo are in a state
of anarchy, where there is no security for
property or person ; and the proposition
that the debtor shall have all?that he
shall retain quiet possession of his broad
acres, hia stock and money, and share
none of it with hie creditors, is so mom
strous and unchristian that an intelligent
public opinion will, sooner or later, con*
demn and defeat it.
The bankrupt law comes in as a bap*
py medium of compromise betwpen the
debtor and creditor. It compels the surrender
by the former of all his estate
even to the most minute particulsrs; from
this he is assigned a small portion to pre
vent distress in his family, and to enable
him to t air a n now utatt in thn am. 1,1
Tho remainder goes to the creditors, who
having got *11 the debtor has, are debsrr*
ed from claiming his future earnings.?
The debtor who comes fully up to the requirements
of tho law, making an honest
schedule and surrender, has, in our judgment,
nothing to bo ashamed of. If be
acts otherwise than honest?if he attempts
to defraud his creditors, he will not bo entitled
to a discharge under the law.
We are aware that tho Inclination of
a large proportion of debtor* ia to aroid
the payment of their debt*, whether just
or unjust, new or old, and tho many acts
of fraud, deception and concealment, now
being practiced, is appalling, when viewed
in the light of justice and honssty ;
but the bankrupt who comes up to the
spirit and letter of the law cannot be
classed with these persons. lie not only
makes a clear surrender of his entire esi
tate, hut he summons his creditors, and
7 ...^"..7 ???
into hie past conduct. We repeat that
stroh men are more the objects of sym
pethy then of public suspicion end con
demnetion.
We have said this mucli in vindication
of the benfernpt, end to correct whet we
conceited to be e wrong direction of pub
lio opinion. It may not be emit* to edd,
that, personally, we here no concern on
the subject, end thet neither of the edb
tors of this peper entertsin the most re.
mote idee of going ioto benkroptey.
JtW The Southern Cultivator, for this
month is filled with iolerostiog reeding
for the farmer.
Gody's Lady's Book.
The January number is already at
hand and i* presented to the public in a
new nnd attractive atyle. There is no
magazine publisher in the United States
that expends so much money to gratify
| the growing taste of the American ladies
for every thing that is tasteful and useful
as the publisher of the Lady's Book.?
The embellishments in the number uow
before us consist of the following :
Now Shoes. A line steel engraving.
Steel plate Title page, containing three
pictures of wirier amusements?skating,
sledding, aril snow hailing.
A Colored Fftshion'plnte, containing
six figures.
Winter Sports. A tinted picture.
Colored plato of llerlin wool wotk.?
Figure of a stag, printed in eight colors.
A large Extension sheet, containing
twenty four engravings of ladies' dresses,
children's dresses, etc , etc.
The Literary department of the rum
her is verv good. "Pheinie Rowland,"
bv Marion Ilarland, promises to ho the
story of the year. '"The 1 >eooV Duck,"
"Life's Contrasts," "Nettie's Sacrifice,"
| "Raking Hay," aro all excellent. There
is also a New Year's story by Miss Frost.
This is without douht the beit number
Mr. (lodey lias ever issued,
The Charleston Dally News.
Tbe proprietors of this deservedly pop
ulnr paper announce that with the open'
ing of the new year, the price of subscription
will be reduced to six dollars a
year, thus placing it within tbe reach of
a much larger circle of readers. The
A~< IPS is decidcdlv one u( the frui nnnoru
in 'lie country and deserves to be liberally
patronized. The proprietors propose also
to issue a tri weekly at tbres dollars per
annum. Wo commend both to the at
teutioD of our readers.
Change of Post Headquarters.
Wo observe in a rcceut order from Gen.
Canby, regarding the disposition of troops
in this State, that the Po*t of Chester
hns been abolished. The following ex
tract from the order referred to, willl
serve to enlighten our readers as to the
new changes about to take place :
Post of Coi.iwdia.?Light Lattery E
3d Artillery, Headquarters and Compa
nies It and II, /5th Artillery, and Companies
C, II ard K, 8ih Infantry ; Col.
and Brevet Brigadier-General U.S. ltur
ton, commanding. The command to ein
brace the Districts of York, Chester, Fair*
field, Iticbland, Lexington, Lancaster, Or
...... I... L.*" 1 (J IT-!.. VT
rvoisiinir, cm liter, \j ill Oil, IV t? w
berry aud Clarendon.
Ihe Grant Meeting in New YorkOpinions
of ^ie Press, &c.
The meeting at Cooper Institute, New
York, nominating General Grant for President,
on Wednesday evening, was a large
affair,as the telegraph has already informed
ua. The New York papers have a
great deal to say about it, one way or
another, and their opinions will be found
to be interesting. The Htrald, which is
an enthusiastic Grant paper, says :
"It was a gathering more important
from the character and standing of those
who participated in it than from its nctu
al numbers. A. T. Stewart presided,
and the names of Francis It. Cutting,
William H. Astor, John Jacob Astor, Jr.,
William N. Vermilyea, Win. T. Blodget,
Hamilton Fisb, Moses II. Grinnell, Paul
SpofTord. Cornelius Vaoderbilt, Moses
Taylor, Uob't L.Stuart, and others largely
identified with the commercial atid fl
nancial interests of the country, gave importance
and significance to the proceed.
ings. The gathering breaks ground for
the Grant campaign, and will he followed
by similar demonstrations in every other
State, independent of al! the old politi*
cal organizations, embracing the beat
men of all parties."
The World (Democratic) says:
"The meeting was large in point of
number*, and entbuaiaatic in temper
whenever the name of the hero of the
occasion was mentioned. The political
allusions of the speakers were received
coldly, and there was a strong disposition
to resent an attempt of General Sickles
and Mr. Mreniaine to give a radical twist
to the proceedings."
The resolutions, or platform, are as
follows:
Resolved, That lha American people
have aver been true to the instincts of patriotism
in maintaining the rights and
honor of the nation, and that the acknowledgment
of distinguished services
in tha national cause cannot fail to be re
garded as a grateful doty by a free and
intelligent people.
U I 1 TL.I a. 1._:II! - _ ? ;
iMa^vcu, inn* inti urutiffiil lervicw
rendered by General Ulysses 8. Grant, at
a period of imminent peril to the existence
of the American Union, have abed im
perishable renown on the American name
and character, and can never be forgotten
by a people Alive to the blessings of in
stitutions under whose benign influence
tbey have become a free and united na
tion.
Rexolved, That, in the judgment of this
meeting, representing all the great Inter
est of national industry, the public sen
tirnent of the country unmistakably indi
cates its choice for the office of Chief
Magistrate, and that, in accordance there
with, and relying with perfect confidence
on the sagacity, judgment, persistent en*
orgy, and unfaltering patriotism so strikingly
displayed throughout his whole
civil and military career, we present Gen.
Ulysses S. Grant as the candidate of the
loyal Union people of New York, for the
office of President of the United States.
lietolvtd, That the President of this
meeting have authority to appoint twnn
ty four ciliaens, who, with himself, ahall
form a standing committee, with power
to take measure* to elTecluste the objects
and purposes of this meeting.
ij O V A I, .
Oar Advertiser!.
IIa8Seltinb Jb Chafkc?Dry Goods,
Groceries, Drugs, die.
Jokkb Crockett?Dry Goods, Groco?
Ties, ?fcc.
J. M. Sadi.kk Si Co.?Dry Goods,
Henry nnd Knncy Groceries, Drugs, <fec.
J. 11. Hoyd?Dry Goods, Groceries,
Medicines, ?fec.
T. n_ _ z-i /-? mi
XJtllAIH, \^NAIO ? V-<rftlgTIII? "
Dry Goods, Groceries, ?fcc.
CHARLOTTE, N. C.
Buxbaum it Lang?Dry Goods, Gro*rio8,
dtc., wholesale and retail.
A. Sinclair?Dry Goods, Fancy Notions,
Ac., wholesale and retail.
Kilgore & Cureton?Druggists, whole
sale aud retail.
"Bobin? Arouud."
For throo long days our local has benn
"bobing around" trying to bunt up an
item for hia column, but despite every ef'
fort lie is still blank ; vos, blank as a powder
cartridge. There's a henjy that the
public ought to know of through the
papor-~wo mean a heap of goods?but
as that belongs to another department wo
can't afford to say much. Merchant#
who thoroughly understand tho ropes' a!
ways appreciate this opportunity?some
are content In eking out an existooco;
others have a higher ambition.
Merchandizing is a pleasant employ
nient?here's an instance: "A lady entered?she
stood beside she counter?she
at 1 * .t
muugiii win musnn, etc., dearer than any
she'd seen yet?at her nod iho (.helves
were emptied. Clerk welched her playful
fingers as the Rilka nnd satins tossed?the
bosp smiled? the clerk was nil attention,
snatching with electric speed from the
shelves everything called for?he traveled
around "briskly"?at length, with heaita
tion, she bought?n yard of tape !"
Far iiions.?Ab, yes ! we may say some'
thing about fashions ! but they are so ra?
tied nod havo assumed such a well,
people that know us can attest our high
esteem for the ladies, and we wouldn't
have them get offended for the world.
Accidents.?Nobody killed, no fires,
no fighting, no d-r-i-n-k-i-n-g, (to excess.)
CilANOKS.?Some few going on?bap
pv ones at that. Christmas near at band
?eggs on the rise.
The Weather?Cold with an occasional
hot snap?dangerous to fresh pork.
qrnftll cnAW uaf ?
n >r*?? muuu t%j iiiurmn^*
Oi.d T^AcnitLons?Well, they aro a
crusty set?not much afraid of bachelors
?the ladies will help us out. They are
a curious sort of humanity, and wo can't
account for their preference. A writer
has said, "that no man can either live
piously or die righteously without a wife."
Selah. That fellow's head was balanced.
What say ye, "Ye shirt bnttonless,
rumpled, sour featured old single hearted
ness. Write the axiom upon your flinty
and unappreciate hearts with a diamond'
pointed pencil (if you have one) out it out,
and pasts it up kt aoine conspicuous place,
ia jour solitary cnes'less, comfortless rag
littered desert of * room, where even the
boldeet raj of the aumnier sun trembles
to linger for a moment ; where never a
(lower dares to show its blushing fAce with,
out dying an untimely death, and where
the healthiest breeze that evercains sing,
ing fiom the eaves of the mighty hills
will sicken And become impregnated with
the foul odor of decaying cigar stomps,
orange peelings, and the smell of unwaahi
ed gin tumblers.
llow can you feel pious, and go to
church every Sunday, with the phantom
of your impious single wretchedness be
fore your mind's eye, and accusing your
selfish heart, like lianquo's ghost, every
time some sweet, unconscious, rosy cheek
ed, laughing-eyed and elaborately-dugnetted
fairy lakes a seat beside you iu the
same pew, or brushes by you at the door,
bke A butterfly, while you stand gazing
| on vacancy, and irresolutely twisting the
"few and far between" hairs that discolor
your upper lip! You can't fee! pious with
such distracting thoughts rushing like
lava through your brain, and turning
every unwise bachelor resolve to dust and
ashes, llow can you expect to die righle
cusly without a wife to assist you 1
) ou may manage to light your way
through a useless bachelor life, in a cat*
anil dog sort of a way?hut you heartless
sinner, will this si.dice you when the day
of retribution comes, and old Death raps
at your lalchlesa chamber door, with a
polite request to tako a seat in his ferryboat,
immediately to be rowed to the
other side of the Styx; will you be pre
pared to meet the occasion f Can you
point to the diary of your mateleas life
and prove that your sufferings and trials
on earth have been sufficient anj severe
enough to purify end chasten your heart,
or will you then exclaim, with Qieec
Elizabeth,
"My kingdom for a moment of time."
to get married in. Hard hearted mortal,
shake off* your baebfulnes*, and resolve to
lake a delghtful trip through tho seven
Mahomineuan heavens, with a regular
passport signed an^fealed in due f..rm
by an officiating clergyman. We know
we are right, and will leave it to thejudg*
roent of wisdom?represented by tbe fair
Queens of the land.
w-'i' f?:
TELEGRAPHIC.
Congressional.
bknatr.
Wariiinoton, December 9 ?Petition
from Assistant Assessor!in North Carolina
were presented, prayiog for additional
compensation.
Mr. Wilson gave notice that he would
to morrow report a bill removing political
disabilities from two hundred and eighty
four Alabamians, commended by Pope
and Swayne.
The Secretary or the Treasury was call'
ed on for full details in reference to the
restoration ot captured and abandoned
property.
A resolution declaring neutrality be
tween Abyssinia and Ureal Britain came
up. A farcial debate ensued, when the
Senate went into Executive session, and
adjourned.
HOL'SK.
The regular call wns mado for bills
and resolutions by States. Among those
offered was one exempting from taxation
manufactories yielding less than |5000 ;
one directing the Secretary of the Treasury
to uso $4,000,000 of greenbacks in
purchase of bonds*, one to abolish the
office of Assistant Treasurer ; ono for the
more effectual government of the rebel
Statea.
The Judiciary Committee was directed
to inquire into the expediency of amend
itig the Reconstruction acts, to make
members of the Convention take the test
oalb.
After n severe contest certain portions
of the President's Message were referred
to the Reconstruction Committee, thus
reviving that Committee.
,A bill, striking white from the District
laws and ordinances, was passed by a vote
of 106 to 38. It goes to the President.
The President was called on for a record
of the trial of Albert Lusk, iu New Or
leans, for the tnurder of the negro boy
Hooper.
It was moved to suspend the niloa to
pasa resolutions that the tax?* shall not
exceed $300,000,000, but the House roi
fused to suspend the rules.
Several new hills and financial resolutions
were introduced, wheu the House
adjourned.
reit ate,
Washikotow, l>eceml>er 11.? K peti
tion was presented from ho immense mini
ber of naturalized citizens, complaining of
grievances, and asking that their rights
inay bo defined bv law. It was referred
to tho Committee on Foroign Relations.
Mr. Anthony introduced a bill doclar
ing null theconfiscation and forfeiture acts,
passed by liehel Legislatures. It was
referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr. Sherman introduced a hill provid'
ing that all balances from captured or
abandoned property bo paid into the
Treasury, and not drawn from thence
without authority of law. Mr. Sherman
stated the amount reached several millions.
A discussion ensued, during which Mr.
McCulloch was charged with illegally dis
posing of several hundred thousands.?
The bill was postponed.
noun.
Several members rose to personal ex
planalion*, giving their reasons why they
vol ad in favor of impeachment, in which
the President was roundly abused.
The Judiciary Committee reported back
the bill in relation to the government of
the rebel Stales, and it waa referred to
the Reconstruction Committee.
The Committee on Clnima reported ad
veraely on the petition of the citizens of
Cbambernhurg.for compensation for dam
ages done by McCausUnd's raiders.
Northern Newt.
Washington, December 9.?Senator
W'laon's lilt for restoration to political
rights includes the names of Governor
Patten and General Longstreet.
The mercantile anJ shipping interest
pra?? the Senate to confirm Secretary
Seward's treaty for the Wast Indian Islands.
One hundred anil twenty six farms,
comprising noarly eight thousand acres,
?? a.') > At 1 I a t Is A rvpit/lnaliuA f a/
-?wiu nuw?u ?v ?uw WU UVU ? *3 I UI V.H *_?|
Florida during November.
Chicago otfers $20,000 to secure the
Republican Convention there.
Shurtleff (Democrat) has been elected
Mayor of Hoaton. Thia ia the drat event
of tbe kind since the glorioua days of
Jackaon.
The Freaident'a Message Concerning
Stanton's RemovalWasuixotoM,
Dec'br. 12.?Tlia I'reei
dent's message to the Senate, giving raa
son* for the auapenaion of Stanton, ia re
garded aa a masterly document, lie
quote* Stanton's reply to hia request that
Man ion fhould resign, wherein Stanton
aava that considerations of a high public
character leaJ him to withhold his resig
nation until tbe next meeting of Congress.
Thia tbe President holds was not *n allei
cation merely, but a form utterly want
ing in the respect du? from Stanton tc
hia superior officer. Tbe point is made
that Stanton could not appeal to the Ism
creating the '.Var Department, because
that law gives the President the right to
remove Stanton. The Tenure of Office
bdl alone supported Stanton, but that law
did not compel him to retain the office.
Tbe President argues the necessity of
unilv and barmonv amonw his eonstifii
/ / ** "" 0 "" "
tional advisers, end niliirl?? to hi* having
with one escepiion, retained the Cabinet
of hi* predecessor; and states, incidental
ly, that the Cabinet was unanimous in
hi* policy of reconstruction, and upon the
unconstitutionality of the Tenure of Office
bill. Stanton having been United
Statea Attorney, wan specially nonsuited,
and wm emphatic and resolute in his
condemnation of the hill as uneonstitu*
lional. The most pointed and specific
charge refers to the New Orleans riots.?
According to the narrative, General Heard
reported to Stanton the danger of the
riot and asked advice. Staoion not only
withheld instruction* to Heard, but kspt
the dispatch from the President and his
Cabinet until after the occurrence of the
riot. The President holds that had Stanton
acted himself, or made the message
of Heard known to hie superiors, the riot
would hare been preveuted. Lie produces
a letter from Sheridan to the etiVct that
had Hheridan been advised of the danger
of the riot, it could have been avoided.?
The President concludes thnl the public
cannot complain of the change, because
the judicious measures of the new Secre*
tarv have already saved many millions of
the public treasure.
Earthquakes In the West Indies.
Washington, December 11.?At t?ro
o'clock this afternoon Secretary Welles
received a dispatch from Thomas Savage,
acting Consul General at Havana, dated
December 10, in which he stye, "From
our Consul in Jamaica we have further
news of the earthquakes at St. Thomas,
Tortoln, and St. Cioix. The tailhquaks
began November 13, end continued until
Monday the 20tb. The deitruclion of
lives end property was immense. Tb*
steamer Do Soto ?ni washed ashore, bot
torn upwards. Her officers and crew were
saved. The steamer Monongahela was
thrown into the town of MidJIeton, St.
Croix, nod broken to pieces. Nothing
wss said about her officers and crew.?
Admiral Palmer baa arrived safe at Havana.
The Navy 1 bjpartinent hat fur.
ther information in regard to the Susquehanna.
She is not damaged much, and
-it is thought that she will soon arrive at
Fortress Monroe, when full particulars of
this great disaster will be obtained."
Affairs in Virginia
Richmond, December 11.?The Conservative
Convention assembled at the
Theatre this morning, F.ight hundred
delegates appeared, representing all parte
of the State. Hon. A. II. If. Stuart,of
Augusta county, was elected President?
In his address he said that this was not ft
Convention of a party, but of Virginians.
At the close of the war we were assured
thrtt, upon the repeal of the Ordinance of
Secession, the repudiation of the Confedl
erate debts, and the emancipation of the
slaves, we would bo restored to our rights
in tho Union. Instead of these promise*
being fulfilled, the policy bad been inau
gurated to place the Southern Slates urvder
control of the inferior race. We meet
to appeal to the North not to permit the
infliction of thru disgrace upon us?oar
rights may be wresiod from u?, but wa
will never agree to the rule of an alreo
ttnJ inferior race. We prefer the rule of
the bayonet.
Among the Vice'IVesidnnta were R,
M. T. llimter, Thotnai llocock, ex Got*
ernor Letcher, and others.
The Virginia Reconstruction Convention
Ricuuosn, December 12. ? A colored
delegate today offered a resolution ap*
pointing a committee of live to investigate
whet can be dono to put a stop to the i??
timidation of loyal men who are not lands
holders, but who voted the Republican
ticket, and are distressed therefore by
disloyal landholders. Three colored and
two white Republicans spoke in favor and
three Conservatives in opposition to the
resolution. The apoeohes took a wida
political range, and pending the diecueaioo
the Couvenlion adjourned.
The Georgia Convention.
Ati.a*t4, December 9.?The Convea.
lion in?t at 10 A. M , 108 whites and S3
tiegroes present. George K. Ashburna
moved that Foster Hlodgel be temporarv
Chairman, which waa carried. lilodget
not being proaented, J. L. Punning, of
Atlanta, was called lo he Chair, an<l W,
F. Cliflon, of Chnthntn, Secretary.?
Much confuaion prevailed and an inability
lo agree upon organization. Campbell,
negro, inovej a revolution that all aepi*
rar.ta for Provident define their poeilioa*
on the relief (?) question. After con aider#
able wrangling they adjourned to 12 to*
morrow.
Aclire canvaaaing it going on for Pr??
aiiient. The Kadicala are much divided*
the ultraa for llopkina or Blodget, tb*
real for Sallbld or Parrotte. The negroaa
held a caucua this afternoon and teUUd
on llopkina aa their choice.
Ati.iita, December 12.?The Co?*
vention paaaed a relief ordinance thie
morning, imrounwd lit li. If. Ifullock,
of KiebtnonJ, which reads as follows:?
"Ha it ordained," die., "that from sod it*
tpr the passage of this ordinance all levies
which have been or may be made, tinder
an eiscutinn issued from any eourt hi
this Slate, shall be suspended until tllie
Convention shall bare taken or rtfoted
to take final action upon the matteiV of
relief, and that all star** under exeafltfliife
in violation of this ordinance, shall boOW
and void, and of no effect." The Oaorfte
Supreme Court having decided the stay
laws of the last legislature to be uneoa*
stitutiooal, this ordinance, which it is as*
dersiood will be enforce<l by f?en. I'opet
commanding the Military District, will
operate as a barrier to all legal actio*
upon private debts until the Convention
can act further. The remainder of tfc#
day's session whs consumed in disc use lag
rules of order.
The and Arkansas Conventions
Carried.
Ati.awti, December 12.?General Ovd
has issued so order declaring that Conventions
have been carried in Mississippi
and Arkansas, and orders Conventions to
assemble at Jackson and Little Rock OO
l January 7th. The order says there ere
nuch irregularities at Home preoinelB ee
make it impossible to give the total vote
in each State for or against the CootM*
tion. .
Foreign News.
Havana, I>ecerober 7.?Tlia Souther*
emigrants who recently settled in lIoe^tH
rat feel much dissatisfied with the ooeree
of the llrilisb Government toward the*.
Governor Austin bad granted theiu laada
upon which to settle, and given theei
other privileges which the home Govern*
ment hae disapproved. Many Southerners
are aboat to return to the United
States.
LATEST.
Congressional.
SKMATK?Washington l>ec'Hr. II,?
The memorial of the New York ChaiM
ber of Commerce relative to the reeuosp*