Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-04-28
LOCAL NEWS.
TUESDAY EVENING, APRIL Is.

RADICAL MASS MEETING.-In TespoHso " "
call mass meeting of the Radicals OF TINS Guy
vas held last night, in Liberty hall. Inc
room was we'll filled. Nearly all the white
members Of the party present, however oecrl-
MED seats on the stage, leaving the auditorium
for the oolored people, and number Of white
bows, who sat on the extreme rear benches,
and who caused some interruption to the pro-
coed ings by their improper behavior.
The meeting was called to order by George
Tucker, white, and, on his motion, Josiah
Thomas, colored, was unanimously elected
chairman. John Hawxhurst, white, member
Of the late State Convention from this county,
wss then introduced, and delivered a speech of
about an hours duration, explanatory Of the
course he had pursued in the body Of which he
had been "a constituent portion" and depreca-
torv OF the evident split that exists in the party
in this county. He said that in that conven
tion there was man who had belonged to
Pekett's Division of the Confederate Army,
and had been elected by members Of that divis
inn, who had said that before he would submit
to negro equality he would gather the scattered
Gapments of his old Brigade, and from the
mountains Of the State renew the conflict.
THE sentiments of the member Of the conven-
tiop alluded to, were evidently agreeable to the
whites 10 the rear of the house, and were &C
cordingly applauded.) He believed however,
that this gentleman was honest in his opinions,
and acted from principle, and for that reason
he should be dsfranctised, for the State would
revert to its former condition if left in his
hands or the hands of those who thought like
him. He said that there were mon in that
Convention who, having been elected by colored
people, had basely betrayed them, and that
there we're others then elected by the same
class Of voters, who, though they did not actu-
ally 90 over to the enemy, voted against the
coored mans interest by favoring property
qualification for suffrage. Then there were
true men in the convention, and from these dic-
terent classes, with their various subdivisions,
he thong bit that about as good a constitution
had been obtained as could we'll have been ex-
pected. He was opposed to contiscation, and
gave as one reason for his vote in favor Of the
81 head tax, that unless the colored people
we're called upon by the Sheriff they would
think they were sighted. He censured Judge
Underwood for ruling out of the new Constitu-
ton an entire section, and an important one,
viz: that defining citizenship.
Having gone through with the Convention,
he devoted some time to the consideration Of
the breach in the party in this city, and assert
ed that ss soon as he found out that he was in
minority, he would cheertulIy give way for
the more popular aspirant for official honors
and emoluments; but that he was in the major
ity, and tn, minority was composed merely of
the few who thought, like Mr. Mckenzie, that
negro would not have the impudence to offer
himself as member of Republican club!
Such men did not deny the negro the right to
vote, but did deny them the right to select the
persons for whom they should vote. He con-
Guided by repudiating the aforementioned by
one Of the audience, as report in circulation
at the Freedmen's Village-that every man
who voted for him would have to put $3.50
with his ballot into theAox
Geo. Tucker, white, the candidate Of the late
County Convention for Congress, then address
ed the meeting, prefaciug his remarks by char
acterizing those in the rear of the hall who had
been the cause Of some slight interruption as
"less than human, and meaner than dogs" He
eulogized the course pursued by the member
Of the Convention from this county, and ex-
tollad the Constitution the Convention had
made, but devoted the main portion of his
speech to vindication of the wing of the par
ty which he belongs, justification Of the
proceedings of the late County Convention,
and to the condemnation of the Wellsites.
His speech was we'll received, and at its termi-
nation, though there were loud calls for Hill
and other speakers, and amid considerable con
fusion and excitement, the following resolu.
tions handed to the Chairman, were read and
adopted by large majority, both by the sound
and by rising vote:
ResolpeG, That we cordially and earnestly
approve and endorse the action of the Repub-
lean County Convention, which assembled in
this city on the Oath instant, in declaring their
preference for John Hawxhurst as their candi-
date for Governor, and for George Tucker as
their candidate for Congress; and We, also,
heartily endorse the nominations made by said
Convention as candidates for members of the
Legislature and we pledge them our earnest
and undivided support.
Rssolvea, That We hereby denounce and ut
tesly condemn the action of those delegates,
who, finding themselves in the minority, sece-
ded from said Convention, whose entire disor-
gsnizing proceedings appear to have been pre-
meditsted, and whose whole object clearly is to
either rule or ruin the Republican Party; and
We earnestly hope that no true Republicans will
BE- influenced by any such designing and in
trigueing politicians. but that when tempted
BY them they will reply in the words of Christ
S shen tempted by the devil, ''Get thee hence,
Satanr'
The excitement now rose to fever heat, and
The noise creotad woo ca root thot othipr said