Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-05-19
LOCAL NEWS.
THE CONVENTION OF THE UNION REpUBLI-
CAN PARTY OF THE STATE OF VIRGINIA

The convention re-assembled yesterday even
ing at half. past three o'clock.
The Chair stated that the first business be-
fore the Convention would be the resolution
to appoint special committee of five to visit
the President and members of Congress, and
find out from them their feelings with regard
| to the action and objects of the Convention.
On motion, the resolution was laid on the
| table.
The revised report from the Committee on
Resolutions was then read
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 re- organization of the State
governments for those States lately in rebellion,
and both at different times have expressed
their appreciation of provision of law extend
ing the right of suffrage to the coored race !:
therefore,
Resolved That no recognized State gov,
eminent of Virginia should be recognized by
the Government Of the U. States which does
not exclude from suffrage and holding office, at
voluntarily given moral or material support to
rebellion against the United States, and which
does not, with such disfranchisement provide
for the immediate enfranchisement of all Union
men, without distinction of color.
Resolved, 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 pos
sibility of that issue arising again.
Resolved, That while the late rebels affect
to accept the situation, they not only hold the
same opinion 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 thy have failed to accomplish with
bayonets.
Resolved, That the Union Republican party
Of Virginia, believing that knowledge is power,
and that an enlightened and virtuous people
can never be enslaved, and that the maintain
tions depend materially upon the education of
the masses of the people: Therefore we are in
favor of system of free schools, whereby uni.
versal education my be disseminated.
Mr.. John B. Troth said he dislked the first
resolution, but for the sake Of harmony, and to
facilitate the work before the Convention, be
would move that the report be adopted as a
whole. Some here held that if the negroes
were permitted to vote they could all be bought
by the enemy by knocking the heads out of
few barrels of whiskey. It was also asserted,
before the negroes we're put into the army, If
they should be armed the war would not close
in thousand years or more. He believed no
such things, and if the negroes were useful I'M
der arms, they we're capable Of using the fran
chise privilege.
Mr. g. NJ. Gibbons thought it would not be
expedient to adopt the universal suffrage poll
cy at present. Congress had decided that it
would not be good policy to adopt it, He was
in favor of DISTINGUISHING the traitors-every
one Of them.
Mr. Gibbons here offered the following pre-
amble and resolutions which were read:
Whereas the late war was waged on the part
of the United States for the suppression of
treason, and the punishment of traitors there
fore,
Resolved That it is the duty Of the supreme
legislative power Of the country to declare that
all who have adhered to the rebellion or abetted
the same arc Aliens and capabe OF exercising
any of the rights OF citizens either IN national
or State capacity.
Resolved, Thatwe endorse the action Of Con-
gress in DISTINGUISHING rebels as tar as 1t has
gone, and that it is their duty to apply the rrin-
ciple indicated in the first resolution.
Mr.. L. Hill, of Alexandria was not in favor
of lisfranchising all those branded as traitors,
but he was in favor of universal suffrage. He
would ask Mr. Gibbons why our representatives
were not in Congress acting for their constitu-
ents.
Mr.. Gibbons replied that it was because
rebels were permitted to vote.
Mr.. Hill declared that there was no valid
and substantial reason Why the colored people
should not vote.
Mr.. John f. Lewis wished to know how they
were to entranchise the negro without first dis
franchising rebels. II we were to inaugurate
the policy recommended by the gentlemen who
has lust taken his seat, we would be hanging
from some tree in the forest before next week.
It was asserted that Joe Seigel was loyal. He
held that he was NOT, and his antecedents did
not show it. There are one thousand five hun
dred loyal colored men Unlocking ham who have
never voted with rebels, and if the negro was
as black as the ace of Spades he would say,
"Let him vote" The speaker never vo-
ted for the ordinance Of secession, and
he was threatened with hanging if he did not.
| He would not be driven out of the Union, and
between going to the Democracy and going to
the devil he would not know which to choose.
Mr.. Hauxhurst was in favor Of the resolu-
tons in question. When the Convention was
| called he had great doubt as to their propriety.
| But now he was aware that it was necessary to
| adopt them or similar ones. He believed that
our forefatbers imbibed those principles when
their breasts were pressed by British bayonets.
They promised before high heaven, that should
they be successful, that all should be entitled to