Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-05-29
Resolutions Of the Alexandria Convention


The resolutions of the Unconditional Union
Convention at Alexandria, which We published
last week, were as they were reported by the
committee. They were revised and, the pre-
amble and first resolution we're changed The
following are the resolutions as adopted by the
Convention by vote Of SO to Sd:
| Whereas, while we rejoice that the executive
and legislative branches of the Government
both profess to desire the establishment of the
great principle that those, only who are loyal
should be consulted In the reorganization of
the State governments for those States lately in
rebellion, and both at different times have ex-
pressed their appreciation of a provision of law
extending the right Of suffrage to the colored
race therefore,
+ Resolved, That no re-organized State govern
ment of Virginia should be recognized by the
Government of the United States which does
not exclude from suffrage and holding Office at
least for a term of years, all persons who have
/ voluntarily given moral or material support to
rebellion against the United States, and which
does not, with such disfianchisement provide
for the immediate enfIanchisement of all Union
men, without distinction Of color.
/ Resolred, That the doctrine Of the right of
secession was the principal issue of the late civil
war, and that no policy of reconstruction is safe
which does not provide against the possibility
!! OF that issue arising again.
Resolrc1, That while the late rebels affect to
accept the situation they not only hold the
same. opinions still in regard to that ISSUE but
! openly advocate their views in that respect, as
the basis of party action in the future, as we
believe, for the purpose of accomplishing with
votes what they have failed to accomplish with
bayonets.
/ Resolved That the Union Republican party
of Virginia, believing that knowledge is power
and that an enlightened and yirtuous people
can never be ensaved, and that the maintenance
and perpetuation of Republican institutions de-
pend materially upon the education of the
masses. of the people Therefore we are in
! favor Of a system of free schools, whereby uni
yersal education may be disseminated.
That admirable old organ Of conservatism,
the New York Journal of Commerce, says "a
curious inconsistency is visible in the present
aspect of Congress toward Virginia. They di-
vided that State on the pretence that Virginia
consented to the division. This was in the
midst Of the war. Now that the war is over,
they deny Virginia S existence as a State, and
refuse her representation. Ii she was not a
State, how could she give the constitutional
consent necessary to justify her dissection? But
Inconsistency is not fault in Radical eyes
The end justifes the means, and Colorado was
to be admitted, as Virginia was divided, solely
for partisan objects. We have always regarded
the division of Virginia as unconstitutional, for
reasons which it is unnecessary to repeat here.
F We trust yet to see that old State united and
patriotic as Of DID, ~ ~ ~ 80
The crpose made in General Steedman' S re-
port, of the nlalfeasances of officers Of the
Freedmen's Bureau in Virginia and North
Carolina, has induced the President to order
the arrest of all officers and agents Of the bu-
reau who arc engaged in cultiyating planta-
TONS The Judge Advocate General has been
instructed to prepare charges and specifications
against these fellows with the view Of bringing
them to trial before court mortal,