Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-12-21
Grand lodge Of Virginia.

FIVE hundred delegates, representing every
county and city in the State Of Virginia We
have never seen Il more intelligent body OF gen
tlemen, nor more perfect harmony prevail IN
the deliberations OF a body. --rrr -
The question Of paramount interest Tor the
decision of the Grand Lodge was the settle
ment of the difficulties between the Grand LODI
ges of Virginia aud West Virginia. Shortly
after the commencement of the war the subor-
dinate Lodges in West Virginia, all OF which
had, of course, been chartered by the Grand
Lodge Of Virginia, instituted Grand Lodge
and worked under it until the close OF the war.
When this event occurred the Grand Lodge OF
Virginia held that the Grand Lodge of West
Virginia was an illegal body, having been III
stituted by Lodges holding charters grantedby
her. Negotiations for settlement OF the dill
ficulty were commenced in 1865. A commits,
sion was appointed by the Grand Lodge OF
West Virginia to conduct them.
At the annual communication OF the Grand
Lodge of Virginia in 1867, an able committee
was appointed to investigate and report on the
matter The committee reported the following
terms of settlement: lst. That majority OF
the subordinate lodges in the jurisdiction OF
the Grand Lodge Of West Virginia should give
in their adhesion to the Grand Lodge OF West
Virginia Cd That the subordinate lodges IN
West Virginia should pay to the Grand Lodge
of Virginia all their dues from the time OF the
institution of the Grand Lodge of West Vir,
GINA to the annual communication OF the Grand
Lodge of Virginia in 1865; and, Sd. That the
subordinate lodges of West Virginia should
surrender the charters granted them by the
Grand Lodge of Virginia.
Deputy Grand Master Martin and Grand
Junior Warden White, were present as com
mission from the Grand Lodge of West Vir-
GINA, and accepted the terms proposed 10 the
report OF the committee. They requested that
their subordinate lodges might be permitted to
retain possession of their charters, in order that
they might be placed In their archives. 1t was
acceded to. The report of the committee was
unanimously adopted and the right hand OF
fellowship was extended to the commission OF
West Virginia.
Deputy G. Nj. Martin made an clog uent
speech after the report was adopted, and said
the action of the Grand Lodge of Virginia
would send JOY to the hearts of the masons OF
West Virginia, for it would show that spirit
of fraternal regard yet existed between the peo-
pie of the South and those OF the North. Lie
accepted cheertully the terms proposed by the
committee, and said he thought they were fra
ternal and liberal.
The disputed territory Of Jefferson and Ber
kelley counties is to remain within the jurisdlc-
ton of the Grand Lodge of Virginia until the
Supreme Court shall decide the question as to
whether these two counties are in Virginia or
West Virginia.
Altogether, the proceedings of the Grand
Lodge were perfectly harmonious, the utmost
good feeling and fraterna regard prevailing
throughout the ses slon.-Rlcb. Enquirer.
RECONSTRUCTION OF VIRGINIA. Under this
head the National Inteligencer has an editori-
al, uttering word of appeal and caution to
Congress.
"The necessity of new registration is shown
by the fact that large number were fraudu
lently registered in the city of Richmond, as
appeared from an investigation set on foot and
conducted by Gen. Schofeld. There was
found to be in one ward alone deficiency of
SOP colored voters, whose names were yet on
the registration books, and who may be-, and
will be personated if there be no new rlgistra-
ton. Doubtless other frauds exist elsewhere
requiring correction.
Caring naught for such considerations as
these, Gov Wells, the candidate Of this party
for Governor Of Virginia, under the new con-
stitution, came before the Reconstruction
Committee OF the House, at the last session,
and boldly asked for these reconstruction laws
passed by the Radical party, to be changed. so
as to exclude all those not already registered,
but Untitled to register as the law stood The
number thus Untitled to register-who, be it
observed, were not disfranchised by the con-
stitutional amendment-he put as high as 25,-
600 persons His reason tor this exclusion,
he stated, was that thus only could majority
be secured for the new constitution, contain
ing the proscnptive features we have already
detailed,
Mr.. Thaddcus Stevens was then in life, and
the chairman Of the Reconstruction Committee
As soQr as the question was made clear to his
mind, and he saw what was wanted Of him, he
re'pudiated it in the most emphatic manner
lie declared that he would not be q party to
such a proceeding. Mr.. Bingham and other
members concurre9, and the result was a bill
reported by Mr. Bingham, which provided for
a vote on the new constitution, but without
cutting of the %, 600 votes, as Welles had de-
or essentially changing the reconstruc
ton laws This bill passed the House asst
July but failed IN the Senate, owning, as we
suspect, to the mr. .lgues of the carpet oaggers,
who did not W nt a square vote or, the pro ,
Sc'I9'i'V " institution.
f. UQUIER COUNTY ITEMS, -Theyoung men
o. Warrenton interested in the organization of
young Mems Christian Association met
in the Methodist Church on Tuesday, and Or
ganized by the election Of the following officers.
Viz: DR.. D. B. Phillips, President Gabriel
Fdmondson. Vice President Manly Fletcher,
Secretary; Edgar G. Graham, Treasurer.
Mr.. John G. Beckham, an old resident Of
Warrentou, has moved with his family to his
farm near Haymarket,in Prince William coun-
ty, which will soon be made to blossom as the