Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1866-05-25
rHE vIReINlA UNIoN ooNyENrIos.
substitutlOn Of Yotes f0r Bayonets.

6uDSLllutlOh U Nubcs tOA OdyOhptSs
ALEXANDRIA, May Is.
The Union Convention re-assembled to-
day, Hon. John NJ Bolts in the chair, when
Mr. Hill offered the following:
Resolced, That accepting as the settled
policy of this Convention, the resolutions
and reports agreed upon, We organize our
selves into a permanent political organiza-
ton, to be known as the Union Republican
party of Virginia
Resolped, That a State Committee, con-
sisting of nine members, be appointed by
the Convention, to act until the meeting OF
the next annual convention of this party.
Resolred, That the State Central Com
mittee be authorized to proceed, as soon as
in their Judgment it be deemed advisable,
in forming County Central Committees in
each county of the State, the members of
each County Committee to be appointed for
the first year by the State Central Commit
tee, and afterwards by the County Conven-
ton.
ResolUed, That the State Central Com
mittee be invested exclusively with the pow
er to call State Conventions of the party,
and the County Central Committee be in
vested exclusively with power to call County
Conventions of the party.
After some little debate the resolutions
we're adopted.
The following were reported by the Com
mittee on Resolutions, and adopted.
ResolCed, That while we rejoice that both
the executive and legislative branches of the
National Government desire the establish
ment of the great principle OF equality OF
civil and political rights, we regret that they
differ in opinion as to the legitimate means
of gaining the same end, and we, whose in
terests are so much affected by this question,
deem it our duty not to remain silent; there
fore, as we are unable by any representation
in Congress to take part IN the national
councils, we will do all we can to bring about
the mutual wish of the President and Con
gress by initiating State action In favor of
impartial qualified suffrage, which, in our
opinion, is one of the requisites Of Repub-
lican form of Government.
ResolUed, That the accountability Of both
the legislative and executive branches of the
Government of State to the whole people
is the only safeguard against the enactment
of partial and unjust laws, and the only sure
protection against tyranny and oppression In
the execution of all laws, so that if any con
siderable portion of the community is denied
voice in the election, that portion of the
people win be denied such perfect protection
as ought to exist in the right of person and
property.
Resolued, That the doctrine of the right
of secession was the principal issue of the
late civil war, and that no policy of recon
struction is safe which does not provide
against the possibility Of that issue arising
again.
Resogced, That while the late rebels affect
to accept the situation. they not only hold
the same opinions still, in regard to that is
sue, but openly advocate their views in that
respect as the basis of party action in the
future, we believe, for the purpose of ac-
complishing with votes what they have
failed to accomplish with the bayonet.
Res0lued, That the Chairman of this Con-
vention be authorized to appoint a commit
tee of five or eight persons, whose duty il
shall be to visit the President to ascertain
his feelings with reference to the objects
and action of this Convention, and that this
committee be requested to get from the
President and Congress their Endorsement
of our action.
Resolued, That the Union Republican
party, of Virginia, believing that knowledge
is power, and that an enlightened and virtu-
GUS people can never be enslaved, and that
the maintenance and perpetuation of repub-
lican institutions depends materially upon
the education of the masses of the people,
therefore we are in favor of system of free
schools, whereby universal education may
be disseminated.