American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1867-08-07
VIRGINIA..
THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION
Five Thousand Persons Present.
Platform of April COnyen-
tiOn Adopted.

ttOA fAuOEAOAs
q RICHMOND. August 1.-The Republi-
can Convention met this morning. There
were present 5000 persons, nearly all
blacks. The African church being open.
cd. was Immediately filled, and motion
was made to adjourn to Capitol Square
It was carried. After arrival there, Mr..
HunxLurst, of Alexandra, was appoin,
ted temporary Chairman, and Nj. Whit
tlesley, of the same place, temporary Sec
retary. A recess was taken to appoint a
committee to report on permanent officers.
At an early hour the neighborhood of
the African Church was filled by about
5000 blacks, awaiting the opening of
the doors, and the streets were alive with
others coming to the place appointed for
the Convention. At eleven the doors
Of the church were opened and the build
ing instantly filed, still leaving about
1900 blacks outside. Very few of the
white Republicans recently appointed by
the County Convention had made their
appearance, whites present, about fifty in
number, being chiefly delegates who had
attended the April Convention.
A motion was made inside to adjourn
to Capitol Square, and the crowd outside
mistaking it for carried, hurried off to
that place.
Mr.. Hunnicutt made a short address
in favor of adjourning to the Square
He couuseled harmony in the delibera-
tions of the body, for they were this day
looked to by the whole country, and by
HUNDREDS of thousands, of blacks, whose
fathers had looked prayerfully forward to
such day as this The rebels of Rich
mond and their press were looking joy
fully for disturbance and he wanted
them disappointed This was a mass con-
vention, and he wanted all Republicans
represented in it. Those who could not
indorse the Republican platform adopted
by the convention of April, might 60
home, as they we're not wanted here
Any men who came here to break up the
Republican party in Virginia, were
sconndrels and hypocrites, and would
meet the odium they merited.
Mr.. Tucker, of Alexandria, moved the
appointment of fifty able bodied men to
clear the ground and keep order for the
convention at Capitol Square, which mo-
tion being carried, the convention ad-
journed.
The announcement was then made that
the Convention was assembling on the
other side of the Capitol, and some OF
the audience left Another Conserva>
tive arose and commenced protesting
against prescribing any man now for his
past political opinions. The Republican
party, he said, was not strong enough in
the State to throw away such aid. 1t
was notstrong enough inthe North either
Look at Gen. Butler, who did more than
any other man at the Charleston Con-
vention to bring on this war.
A voice here cut the speaker short by
announcing that the crowd must walk
around to the other side, and it left en-
maSse, jeering the speaker as it left.
On the other side there was assembled
one of the largest crowds ever seen in
Richmond, with considerable sprink
ling Of whites. Amid a good deal of
confusion, caused by the immense crowd :,
John Hunxhurst, of Alexandria, was
chosen temporary chairman, and Charles
Whttlesley, OF Alexandria, temporary
secretary. A recess of two hours was
had to give time for committee to be
formed of one from each delegation
The different delegations met under the
trees. In the meantime the other wing
had printed and distributed the follow
ing handbill:
REPUBLICAN STATE CONVENTION.
She delegates to the State Convention
of unconditional Union men, called to
meet in the African Church of this city,
at II o'clock to-day, will meet in the hall
of the House of Delegates this evening
at eight o'clock, to perfect the organiza>
tion of the Republican party of Virgin
Ia Every delegate is requested to be
prompt in attendance None other than
regularly appointed delegates will be ad,
mitted into the hall"
Signed by the Committee of Arrange
ments.
During the recess several short adj
dresses were made relating to the course
of John Minor Bolts and his clique, and
the proposed Convention called by the
handbill. Bolts was denounced as de-
string to make the Republican party of
the State subservient to his own party,
or break it up. There were loud cries
for Bolts, and proposition made to in
vite him to explain his position, but it
failed
Rev. Mr.. Given made an address, and
the Convention formally reassembled
about five O'Clock. The Committee on
permanent officers reported in favor of
appointing all the old officers of the April
Convention, and recommended that the
platform of that Convention be adopted
without alteration
The report as to officers was adopted
and John Hunphurst declared permanent
Chairman. The Recommendation as to
the platform gave rise to an excited de-
bate.
Mr.. Butts, of Norfolk, said If the con-
ventlon, which was termed mass meets
ing, adopted the platform, it would have
nothing to do but 90 home If they did
that, then the meeting held by the other
wing tonight, calling itself convention,
would remain in session two or three days,
adopt platform, appoint an Executive
Committee, and the Republicans would