The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-08-01
CAUCUS LAST NIGHT.
Meeting To-day.

heetinS IO-uay.
Previous to the passage by Congress U
the military reconstruction bill, in Marcl
last, there was no organization in Virginia
which could presume 10 call itself the Re-
publican party Of the State. In AleSan
dria, in Norfolk, and in Richmond, were 8
few men who avowed themselves support
ers Of Radical doctrines, and here anG
there throughout the State were ex-Fede
raj officers and few Union men of long
standing who hesitated not to avow theil
approval Of the aims of the Republican
party. A few assembled in Alexandri:
dria in May, 1866, appointed State Cen
tral Committee, composed of representa-
tives of that city, Norfolk, and Richmond
but still no permanent party organization
was attempted.
The enfranchiSement Of the blacks wa
the commencement Of new era in Vir
ginia politics, and the Radical leaders i'm
mediately began their efforts to secur,
them as members of their party. To thi.
end, before the month of March had passed
call was made public, signed by the State
Central Committee, appointed at Alexan.
dria, urging the "loyal people of the State
without distinction Of color, to assemble
,n mqSSe in the African church, at Rich.
mond, on the 18th Of April, 1867" This,
"in view Of the passage Of the military
reconstruction bill, and subsequently, OF
the supplementary bill, by the Congress OF
the United States"
The mass convention duly assembled,
and its session was not marked by perfect
unanimitv. The moving spirit was James
W. Hunnicutt, although much of his work
was accomplished behind the scenes; and
the colored people, for the first time as
sembled in political meeting as proSpec-
tive voters, ruled with defiant speeches
their white brethren, who seemed tamely
10 yield the mastery.
The platform adopted was that recon-
mended by the Committee on Resolutions.
The first resolution returned hearty thanks
to the Thirty ninth Congress for their
legislation resulting in the passage of
the Sherman Shellabarger bill and its sup
plement, certified with gratitude that the
beneficial effects of the said legislation
were already visible, and pledged the Re-
publicanS Of Virginia to earnest and per-
sistent efforts to carry out its provisions
without evasion and with honesty Of pur-
pose. The second resolution mentioned
with high approval the principles Of the
National Republican party Of the United
States, adopting them as the platform of the
"Union men of Virginia." and invited the
cooperation Of all classes of our fellow -citi-
zens, without distinction Of color. "With-
ont regard to former political opinions,
or action induced by such convictions, we
invite them to join US, and pledge them a
warm welcome to bur ranks and full and
free participation III all the advantages of
our organization and lirmly believing
that in the present condition Of public af-
fairs the Republican party offers the most
available means, through its organization,
for the speedy attainment Of permanent
reconstruction, we do hereby adopt its
principles and platform as the basis and
platform Of the Union Republican party of
Virginia"
The following were adopted as cardinal
points in the policy:
lst. Equal protection to all men be-
fore the courts, and equal political rights
in all respects, including tile right to hold
once.
"2d. 4 system of common school edu-
cation which shall give to all classes free
schools, and free and equal participation
ID all its benefits.
"3d. A more Just and equitable system
OF taxation, which shall apportion taxes to
property, and require all to pay in pro-
portion to their ability.
A &c 1oy q
sufficient to induce foreign capital to seek
investment in the State.
9th. Encouragement to internal I'M
provements, aid every possible induce
Ment to immigration"
A fifth resolution pledged the members
OF the Convention to support for an cleo
i've office no man who failed to Join in the
ratification Of the platform. The sixth
contained a eulogy upon the 1aboring
classes, and expressed desire to elevate
lhem TO their proper position.
An address marked by considerable par
tsan violence was adopted, and published
10 the citizens Of Virginia after which the
convention adjourned sine die.
In this convention Hon. John NJ. Bolts
franklin Stearns, and the class known as
original Union men," had no part but
soon after, Senator Wilson, OF Massachu
selts, came to Virginia and sowed the seed:
which afterward sprang up in the "co.
operation movement" The design OF
wilson was to organize the original U MON.
,Sts, Old Line Wings, and colored men OF
virginia. into e party which should act II
qn.son with the Republicans of the North
IN this work he was soon aided by leading
newspaper of Richmond, which, after nauct
asiilance at length boldly advocated
cooperation with the Republican party
Mr.. Bolts and Governor Peirpoint. were
warm supporters of movement which bio
lair to enlist large number of the most
respectable citizens Of Virginis In ths