The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-08-03

tlon declared q mere trueism, which admitted
Of no dispute, to wit: That all persons born
or natnraIiZed in the United States, and SUBJ
ject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens OF
the United States and of the State wherein
they reside that no State should pass or en-
force any law to abridge the privileges of citi-
Zens of the United States nor deprive any per-
son of life, liberty or property without due
process of law, nor deny to any person the
eq ual protection of the law.
What is there objec tionable or degrading in
this?
The second proposition simply required for
the whole country that the voting population
should constitute the basis Of represen tation,
and left each State to regulate, extend or con-
tract the right Of suffrage to suit itself, in
stead Of, as now, having it extended TO all
classes by Congress.
In what did this degrade the people Of the
South?
The third proposition declared that no per-
son shonld be capable of holding any Office un-
der the Federal or State Governments Is who rs
n member of Congress, or officer of the United
States, or rs member of the Legislature, or
rs IN executive or judicial officer of any State,
had taken IN oath to support the Constitution
of the United States and afterwards engaged
in rebellion against the same, but reserving
the power of two thirds of Congress to re-
move the disability.
Here was where the shoe pnched here was
the degradation, not Of tie people, but of the
perjured Office holders, as they were held to be.
The idea that this gigantic republic could be
carried on without their manipulations was
held to be q proposition too monStrous to be
en- tertained; and TO deprive them of office in
the future was confiscation OF vested rights
that they had appropriated to themselves eX-
clnsiyely for more than half n century, and
was nothing short of sacrlege and in n vain
and protitless effort to save the spols for their
own various appetites they forced upon Con-
gress the necessity OF throwing another stone
at the boy in the apple tree. Let those who
are not satisfied with the universal suffrage rs
It Row exists thank our late representatives in
the so called Legislature for it, rs we do who
were again admonished that if the offer then
made was not accepted they would have uni
versal suffrage forced upon them.
The fourth and only other proposition con-
tanned i'll the proposed constitutional amend
ment simply contained q recognition of the
national debt and n reputation of the Con-
federate debt-a proposition that tmet with the
universal approval Of the Johnson Demo
cratic Paddock Philadelphia Convention in
August last Doesn't it seem 4 little strange
that whilst the more prominent and real fight
ing men of the war-such as Generals Lee,
Johnston, Beauregard, Longstreet, Thomp-
son, and others-recommend an acceptance of
the situation in good faith. that these gentle
men who, for the most part, never saw Il fight,
and many and many of them never saw Il
battlefield, are so tenacious of their honor
that they would die before they would sub
nit?
1t Is to be hoped that it is not on the princi-
pie that what Il party has least of is parted
with with the greatest reluctance.
Congress, finding that nothing short of en-
franchising the freedmen would enable them
to overcome these incorrigble rebels who
held the power, and who resisted all efforts at
reconstruction in all the southern States,
adopted that measure of universal suffrage
in their. late reconstruction acts, and autho-
riZed convention to be held by the loyal
people of each southern State to form q new
Constitution, which would for the future
place these late rebellious States in the hands
of the friends of the Union, the Constitution
and the enforcement of the laws and thus
rest each State that was not still bent on
mischief to their original relations with the
Government of the United States.
In preparation for the coming election, We
the unconditional Union men and members of
the Union Republican party of the State and
the United States, are here to-day, and have
thus addressed you, and herewith present you
the platform of principles by which we in
tend TO be governed, inviting all our fellow
citizens to unite with lis at the polls i'm this
great work of reconstruction and restoration
to our ancient and natural relations with the
Government and people of the United States.
We present the following rs the principles
by which we will be governed:
l. That Secession is Treason, and treason is
not Il bunder simply, but Il crime to be pun
shed and whilst we give up indemnity for
the past, we must demand security for the fu-
tnre.
3 That the first allegiance of every citizen
is due to his country, and not TO his State,
which is only component part of his coun-
try.
3. ~ liberal and enlarged system of educa-
tion for all ut the public expense.
1. Impartial suffrage and equality in all po-
litical and legal rights, without regard TO race
or color.
J. Free thought, free speech, and free
press, piMom HcentiOnsneSs or deprncay,
throughout free America.
6. recognition and perpetuation of unver-
sal liberty, whether heretofore constitution
ally accomplished or otherwise.
:. The maintenance of the public faith and
credit by the payment of the public debt crea-
ted for the pcrpctuation of American liberty,
and the Reputation of the Confederate debt,
crea ted for our enslacement.
Sth. To give elevation and responsibility to
labor, that honest industry in al honorable
pursuits may be appreciated and rewarded.
9th. A liberal system Of internal improve
ments, for the full development Of the re-
sources of the State.
10Th General amnesty and restoration 70 all
civil and politicaf rights to the rank and file of
the army and to the great body Of the people,
who were misled and seduced intu the war by
more artful and wicked men, or who were
forced in by conscription or otherwise, but
exclusion from all political power hereafter TO
those who were instrumental, either by speak
ing, writing, or preaching, in bringing on the
-
sion, humiliation, penury, and ruin, as unfit
custodians of the pnblc honor and general
prosperity of the State. This is nothing more
and nothing less than they would do with all
opposed them (who have committed no crime)
If they had the power.
After reading the address and platform, Mr.
Bolts remarked that these were principles
which he had expected to offer in the Conven-
ton of which he, with other gentlemen eX-
cluded, had expected to be member. The
principles are those which no true Republican
can oppose. 1t was before the meeting, and
they could act upon il as they pleased.
George Rye (white), of Woodstock, moved
that the address and platform be approved by
this informal meeting-not as a convention.
"No, no - "Yes ~ "Question -
Another contest for the floor and violent ef-
forts 10 gain the ear OF the bewiljered
speaker. TCries of 'Tote it down 49, It's
alI right, gentlemen - Several leading Radi-
Gals assured the colored men that there was
nothing wrong about the address, but too well
instructed by their chief, they were still in
credulous, although they had heard it read
with cheers of delight.
Major G. W. Buttz (whitel, of Norfolk, de-
sired TO ask few questions of Mr. Bolts be-
fore 4 vote was taken upon Rye's motion.
Mr.. Bolts was willing to answer anything
the gentleman might ask.
young gen tleman proclaiming himself
from the g" bantam ward of Alexandria, !" Cor
nelius Harris of Richmond, and several
others, disputed the right TO the toor with Mr.
Buttz amid cries of Sit down. . Go on,
&C. Disorder and confusion reIgns for the for
tieth time. Buttz finally regains the floor, and
repeats that he has few questions for Mr..
Bolts to answer. r. Ask them.'']
ButtZ.-I will, my friends, If you will have
patience. Does Mr. Bolts wish The negroes to
vote with him merely from a desire to crush
the Democratic party or gain a triumph for
the cause of TRUTH He is understood TO have
classed hniggers, monkeys, and parrots to-
&c ether, saying that If either of these classes
was enfranchised they could vote
Mr.. Botts.-In reply TO the strange ques.
tion propounded, win say that favor uni
versul suffrage, because negroes are free citI-
zens, and when monkeys and parrots are free
citizens, I shall favor heir voting. loud
cheers.
Mr. RuttZ-I have heard that ]. NJ. Bolts