The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1866-05-19
THE vInoINIA coNyENTIoN.

The Union Convention at Alexandria yesterday
had under discussion the following resolutions re-.
ported from the Committee on Resolutions:
he'Otosd, That We rejoice that both the execu.
tive and legislative branches Of the National Gov.
eminent desire the establishment Of the great prn.
ciplo Of equality Of civil and political rights we
regret that they differ iu opinion as 10 the legit
mate mode Of gaining the same end, and We whose
interests are SO much affected by this question deem
IL our duty not to remain silent ~. ...
Therefore, as We are unable by sny representa-
ton In Congress to take part in the national coun
ellis We will do oil to bring about the mutual
wish Of the President and Congress by initiating
STATE action In favor Of impartial qualified suffrage
which In our opinion 10 one Of the requisites Of
republican form Of government - ~, 4,
ReSolped, That the accountability Of both the
legislative and executive branches OF the govern.
ment Of State to the whole people is the only safe
guard against the enacting Of partial and unjust
laws, and the only sure protection against tyranny
IN oppression In the ion Of all laws SO that
" any considerable portion Of the community IL do
pied y9,ee In the elections, that portion Of the
people viii be denied such perfect protection as
ought to exist In rights Of person and property.
ResofUsd, That the doctrine Of the right of seces
sion was the principal issue Of the late civil war
and that no policy Of reooustruetion Is safe which
aoes not provide against the possibility Of that
Re'oiVed That while the late rebels affect to nc.
oept 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, Is We believe for the
purpose OF accomplishing with votes what they have
failsdto accomplish with bayonets.
Resolped, That the chairman OF this convention
be authorised to appoint 4 committee Of ave or
eight persons, whose duty II 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 Pros-
dent and Congress their endorsement Of our action
ResofUed, That the Union Republican party Of
Virgihia, believing that "knowiedge 10 power -
and that an enlightened and virtuous people can
never be enslayed, and that the maintenance and
perpetuaton Of nspublioan institutions depend ma
terially upon the education OF the masses of the
people, therefore We are in favor OF a system Of
free schools, whereby universal education may be
disseminated. TIT.
The report Is signed BY George Tucker, Of Alex.
andrai @. p. King, Of Frederick; ]. II. Clements,
Smith, Of Frederick J. w. Bsemer. Of Clark @.
", billiard, of Albemarle; John Hauxhurst, of
Fairfax WIZ T7T'~TII'
Mr., Gibbons offered the following substitute for
the first resolution .'.|.. D.. = r. w.
RsSOIVsd. That We endorse the action of the
Congress Of the United States In rendering treason
odous and traitors Infamous so far as II has gone;
that 1t Is the sense Of this convention that no per-
son should hereafter be capable OF holding any Office
executive or Judicial under the Federal
or State goyernments, who was over the age Of
twenty-one years on the 18th Of April 1881, with.
out taking the following OATH In addition TO the
Ons now required BY law: II, A. b., do solemnly
swear that am now and have ever been an enemy |
10 the socAllsd southern eonfedsraoy or to any re-
bellion or pretended government unfriendly to the
Government Of thu IJnitad RtaLea -