New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-05-19
THE ALEXANDRIA CONVENTION
Formation Of the Union Republican
Party Of Virginia,
Universal Amnesty, Universal Suffrage and
Free Schools Part of the Platform.
PROSPECTS OF THE CAUSE.
Special Dispatch to The N. Y. Tribune.

The Union Convention met again at Alexandria this
morning at o'clock, tho Hon John Minor Bolts in the
chair. After the usual prelmnsries Of organization the
committee to whom referred yesterday the yari
GUS resolutions reported in favor of the party being de-
nominated the Union Republican Party Of Virginia. AZ
that State Central Committee Of eleven be chosen who
should have charge of the party arrangements. The Com
mttee chosen by the Convention is: Lysander Ill., Aez-
andriaj John F. Lewis. Rockingham County b. F..
waddoll, Richmond City, John Hawxhurst, Fairfax
County; John Minor Bolts Culpepper County Joseph
Williams, fredericksburg Edward Smith, Frederick
County; f. X. Sneed, Accomac County james Ii
Clemens Portsmouth, Lewis Mckenzie, Alexandria,
Francis j. Smith, Richmond.
The following report unanimously adopted and, as
will DO seen strikes at the very foundation Of the present
State Government
Your Committee which instructed to inquire and TO-
port concerning the legal status OF the present ocaed Legs
iature which In their Judgment necessary
the loyal Of the State its political control
would respectfully report That where's by the CONSTITUTION
and known the Alexandria Constitution number not
less than eighty in The House Of Delegates and Sumeer
required to constitute a legal Legislature and
whereas this Constitution expressly declares that no
person should hold any office under 1t who had held
office under the called Confederate Goyerhment,
Government; whereas the said Constitution ex
pessy requires test oath to be taken by all members OF the
Legislature convened under it, and inasnuch present
socaed State Legislature elected and assembled together
under authority from body which met IN June last IN Rich
mOnd which 70 be the Legislature OF Virginia
but which really consisted Of not than twenty membe
and nasmuoh is further notorious fact that many OF the
members Of the present called Legislature have held mill
tary civil Office under the Ocaed Confederate and State
Government rebellion against the United States among
whom cite the present Speaker the socaed Legs
Legislature the oath required by the said Con-
F,sed That we declare the body which assumed the Legs
.smb.d and oTss1od soS's to the law and the coS.ea otSo
STATE snd sst az acts and part s.,. res % ~ h
Earded as null void
Your Committee with regard 70 tie means which in their
Judgment necessary to 10 the loyal people OF the
its political control would report that IN their udg
men the matter should be referred the State Central Com
mttee that Committee shall be requested TO call
State Convention Of the Union before the first
Monday October before that time they shall not have
effected such plan will secure to the loyal Union people OF
the State its political control
The report of the Committee platform for the party
productive Of long tedious and monotonou debate
The plank Of universal suffrage the most oboctiona
bic feature and while not one of the several speakers
doubted the business of giving the negro the night of eK
ercisng the elective franchise under the wholesome re-
srctions of education majority seemed to think it in
expedient at the present time to announce doctrine so
papaby obnoxious their neighbors, it would engen-
der exhibitions Of personal abuse Under the regime Of
the Presidents present policy, it is difficult enough
for man to live peaceably who had opposed the
Rebels in the late war, and who is now avoiding
any expression OF opinion of the events Of the day
But to thus publicly declare that negro suffrage one
Of the objects OF the present party wond subject every
one of adherens persecution and outrage Especially
was this feeling manifested from the counties lying
the Potomac and one would have been led to infer it to
have been suicidal advocate the rights OF the freedman
The Union men Of the South want confidence, want
Strengthening want encouragement; and 1t 10 be hoped
the attitude of this little band Of true men will inspire
respect for their class in the South and that the party
North will extend the hand Of welcome To the Commit
report dozen amendments were offered and
the whole subject referred back foI theI Reconsideration
After the recess from O'Clock o'clock they presented
second report, very much modified, but with resolution
advising universal suffrage if universal amnesty be the
policy of the Government. Herewith give you ths
platform
leas Willie We rejoice that the Executive and Legatvc
branches Government both profess desire tho estab
3 G s, cg ss 9ose ST s state are GoreS %
Inent for lately in rebellion ana ooth al different
times expressed their appreciation OF provision OF law
RssoIrsd That rsorganized State Government o. vlr
gna should be recognized by the Government OF he United
States which exclude from suffrage and holding OIL
Aces at for term OF years all persons who have voan
tar given s. 4 Ts,e,s Y' the E'p .acS d sS
chsement provide for tie immediate enfraseaen OF 81
Union men without distinction OF color
RsODs That doctrine Of the right Of Secession was the
ncipal issue OF the late civil war and ha no policy Of re-
which does not provide against the posi-
R,eS That while The late Rebels Offer accept the situ
alton thew not only hold the opinions s Ia regard to
that ISSUE openly advocate their Vows in that respect as
bas action In the future as We believe Tor the
purpose accomplishing with votes what they have Jailed TO
accomplish with bayonets.
leyng knowledge power and that an enlightened
and yrtuou be enaved and that the main
and perpetuatOn OF republican institutions depend
materially upon education OF the masses OF the peoples
therefore favor OF systsm OF free schools whereby
universal education may be disseminated.
The men who have been present at this Convention
Are those OF marked ability and the discussions though
warm and closely argued have been kindly in spirit
Within the coming month, the State Convention Will
issue an address preparing the fold for an active canvass
Though this body has been limited in its representations
the ultimate results will supass the most sanguine expect
atoms Of its friends in the number that through the State
will rally around the principles here enunciated The
Convention adjourned sine de, with the usual compl-
fnentary votes to its officers.
To The Associated Press - -, - ,,ec
The report Of the Committee was signed by George
Tucker OF Alexandra, G. p King Of Frederick j. III.
Clements of Portsmouth, y. Dudley Of Henrco w X
Smith of Frederick, j. w. Becner Of Clark, q. W.
William of Abemare and John Hawxhurst OF Fairfax.
Mr. Clements stated that there considerable debate
in the Committee before any conclusion arrived at
They had come to the conclusion that the policy Of Union
men In the South should be to avail themselves of the
negro element The Committee intended, by using the
words qualified impartial suffrage to convey the idea
that the two races to suffrage, should De upon the