The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-04-20
REPUBLICAN ORGANIZATION IN
HENRICO COUNTY.
SPEECH OF MIR. FRANKLIN srEaRNs

| 80, Sea'ooy' lHeTe was GOOD at
tendance OF negroes, and more than the
usual number ofwhite persons. The meet
ing was called to order at about half-past
10 oy Major S. L. Annable, upon whose
motion Colonel Normand Smith was called
10 the chair, and General G. West request
cd TO act as Secretary. The Chairman read
the call, stating the call of the meeting to
De the more thorough organization of the
Republicans Of the county, by the appoint
ment OF an executive and other commit
tees.
a Mr.. Conway rose to say that he be-
iieved the county Republicans we're al
ready organized, and committees appoint
ed. de saw no use, therefore, of this meet
ing. No.,
Major Annable said that although he had
oeen at all the county meetings, he had
never heard of such an organization.
True, he had heard of a private meeting
held in acorner of the county where com.
m'ttees had been appointed. But this
was not the way to do business. Let the
Republicans gather as to-day, at central
place, and work openly and above board
lie wanted to know the names of the
members of the committee the gentleman
mad alluded to, and if the thing had
been fairly done, he and his friends pro-
posed only to add to it a proper number of
good men from other districts.
A Mr.. Eberhardt muttered that the
committee was appointed with the ap-
proval of the Grand Council Union
League) Of the State.
Major Annable said now the cat was out
of the bag. This bogus organization bad
been effected at some midnight gathering
under the authority of some Grand Coun-
Gil. The Republican party did not do
business in this way.
Mr.. John Woodwork followed aior
Annable In denouncing this secret mode of
procedure. He wanted to know why the
whole county was not informed of meet
ing to be held for the purpose Of organiza-
ton. Every man should have say in this
matter. He gave history of the move
ment which had eliminated in this meet
ing. 1t had originated with intelligent
men, good Republicans, and it was agreed
that Mr.. Swan, the delegate to the Con-
vention, should head the names to the call.
Swan refused, he blushed to say, because
there were some mon interested in it who
had not advocated his election last fall.
In conclusion, Mr.. Woodwork urged unity
Of action, and warned the colored men
against arraying themselves against the
gentlemen who had signed the call for this
meeting-men who had fought and bIed
for their freedom.
Conway arose to deny that the present
committee was appointed at midnight.
Frank Dickman was the chairman, and the
rest were good men. The meeting had
been held at Dickman's house.
After good deal of talk, the names OF
the committee were produced and read.
Three were colored and one Whitehall
from the same (the third) district.
Major Annable moved that as these men,
all from one district. could not represent
the whole county, that like number be
appointed from each of the other districts.
There was then some squabbling about
who should appoint the committee, and
there seemed no hope Of pacifying
some turbulent spirits. Mr.. Franklin
Stearns at length gained the floor.
He said he trembled with fear for the des-
tiny Of his colored friends, as long as they
were controlled by some of their present
evil counsellors. He cautioned them
against the idea that they can run the Re-
he had expressed to them long ago, and
by this time they must have seen its wis
dom. In August last there were hundreds
of good men, ex-slaveholders, Old Line
Wings, and others, who were ready to
unite with the Republican party. But they
came to Richmond, only to be overslaughed
by an acre of colored men, and to be treat
cd with contempt by party leaders. IN
wise policy! Could the Republicans OF
Virginia longer pursue it? He urged CO.
lored men to combine no longer against
their own party. He claimed that ex-
soldiers, whose loyalty could not be dis
puted, should be heard: They had right
to voice in the organization Of the party.
Clioues should no longer rule. We have
heard enough of Hunnicutt men, Hawk
hurst men, and Swan men.
Fully one-third of the party, and per-
haps a larger proportion of the white mem
bers, are looking only for Office, and would
stoop to anything to accomplish their pur-
pose. They could not even pass the Sab.
bath without meeting for political purposes
He then alluded to Mr.. Swan and circu.
lar which he had put forth, winding up
with the statement that Hunnicutt was
the man for the people. Now, while Hun
nicutt had done some good in the last few
years, he (Mr. Stearns) did not hesitate tc
say that he was made up of selfshness and
ambition, and always had his mind more
upon Office than anything else. So it was
with other men identified with the party
several of whom were looking after office
in three or four different counties. One
reason of this deplorable condition Of
affairs is that preachers have too much te
do with politics. They always make bad
politicians, and should not be encouraged
in that line Of business.
AS for himself, MIR. Stearns said he had
never been an office-seeker, and he de.
clared that there was no office in the gift
of the people which he coveted or would
accept. He had never put dollar of the
public money in his pocket. He earnestly
desired the success of the Republican
party and the prosperity of Virginia. To
this end he advised the people of color
that they must come in with men of intiu-
ence, wealth, and intelligence.
After the conclusion Of this address the
negroes seemed to be little notified, and
there was a general peace-making. A
committee of five, appointed by the chair,
recommended the following-named per-
SONS as members of the executive commit
tee, and the report was unanimously
adopted:
FIRST District. -Eldon Scott and William
Scott (negroes), J. S. Atlee and DR.. Gil
mer (white).
| ceoon5 D;c3,;ct G r. Annable and John