The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-05-19
The Union Republican Convention at
Alexandria.


Alexandria.
WASHINGTON, May lS.-Thc Alexandria
Convention assembled this morning, Hon.
J. NJ. Bolts in the chair.
Mr.. Hill offered the following resolutions
RcSolucd, That, accepting as the settled
policy of this Convention the resolutions
and reports agreed upon, we organize our
selves into permanent political organiza-
ton, to be knowna as the UNION REPUBLICAN
PARTY OF VIRGINIA.
ReSolred, That Il 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
mittcc be authorized to proceed, as soon
as in their Judgment il may be deemed adj
viSablc, in forming county central commit
tees in each county Of the State, the MEM
bcrS of each county committee to be
appointed for the first year by the State
Central Committee, and afterwards 10y the
county convention.
RcSolrea, That the State Central Com
mittcc be invested exclusively with the
power to call county conventions OF the
party.
The resolutions were adopted.
The following were reported from the
Committee on Resolutions:
ReSolceR, That we rejoice that both the
executive and legislative branches of the
Government desire the establishment of
the great principle Of the equality of civil
and political rights. We regret that they
differ in opinion as to the legitimate mode
of gaining the same end, and we, whose in
tcrcStS are SO much affected by this qncS-
ton, deem it our duty not to remain silent.
Therefore, as we are unable, by any repre-
sentaton in Congress, to take part in the
national councils, we will do all we can to
bring about the mutual wish Of the PrcSi-
dent and Congress, by initiating State ac-
ton in favor of impartial qualified suffrage,
which, in our opinion, is one of the rcqui-
sites Of republican form of government.
ReS0lrcd, 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, 50 that if any considerable portion
of the community is denied a vote in cleo
tons. that portion of the people will be
denied such perfect protection as ought to
exist in the rights of person and property.
Res0lred, 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.
ReSolred. That while the late rebels
affect to "acccpt a 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, as we believe, for the purpose ac-
completing with votes what they have
failed to accomplish with bayonets.
Resolred, That the Chairman of this Con-
vention be authorized to appoint COM
mittcc of five or eight persons, whose duty
il shall be to visit the President to ascer-
tain his feelings with reference to the OBJ
iects and action of this Convention, and
that this committee be requested to get
from the President and Congress their en-
dorsement of our action.
Resolved, That the Union Republican
party of Virginia, believing that "know-
ledge is power" and that an enlightened
and virtuous people can never be enslavcd,
that the maintenance and pcrpetuation of
republican institutions depend materially
upon the education of the masses of the
people, therefore we are in favor of sys-
tenn of free schools whereby universal edu-
cation may be disseminated.
The report is signed by George Tucker,
Alexandria; G. p. King, Frederick; J. ii.
Clements, Portsmouth; P. Dudley, Hen
rico; w. II. Smith, Frederick; j. W.
Beemer, Clarke; G. w. billiard, Abe
marie; John Hawxhurst, Fairfax.
J. Ii. Clements, of Portsmouth, stated
that there was considerable debate
in the committee before any con-
clusion was arrived at. They had come
to the conclusion that the policy of the
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, as to suffrage,
should be on the same footing. He would
not endorse President Johnson's party, for
he had seen its workings; but he could
endorse his policy as he had expounded it,
if he had not seen its workings. While the
majority of the committee stood by the
action of Congress, they had deemed II
proper that they should not pin their faith
to the coat tails of any set of men. lie
II. TT..s0 anWa