The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-03-26
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
EQUAL CIVIL RIGHTS AM
NO DISFRANCHISEMENT
THE OPPOSITION.

The rain yesterday afternoon did moi
prevent the gathering of large concourse
of people on the Capitol Square to hear on
address from Colonel Gilbert G. Walker, Of
Norfolk, the "Irue Republican candi'
date for Governor Of Virginia. The crowd
was largely composed of white persons, but
there was also goodly attendance of CO.
Tered people.
Colonel Walker made his appearance
punctually, accompanied by Franklin
Stearns, j. W. LeWellyn, and other Nom
beers of the State Executive Committee
Colonel Walker is a gentleman of unusually
prepossessing appearance, and besides the
attractions Of fine figure, handsome ply
sique, and refined carriage, his voice is
clear and his delivery graceful.
Mr.. Stearns called the meeting to order
and on his motion Charles D. Yale, of Rich
mond, was called upon to preside, and
James w. Lewellyn, of Henrico, to act as
secretary.
MIR. Yale, before taking the chair, an.
hear an expression of political views from
the distinguished gentleman who had been
chosen as the standard bearer of the "True
Republican party of Virginia." whom he
begged leave now to introduce, confident
that his remarks would be received with
merited attention and consid GRAFTON.
SPEECH OF COLONEL WALKER.
Colonel Walker then spoke as follows:
Mr.. Chairman and fellow. citizens,-]
appear before you to- day under very pecu.
liar circumstances. have been nominated
IS the candidate for the high and RESPONSE
bic Office of chief magistrate of this noble
old Commonwealth and nominated, too, as
the lawyers would say, without my know
ledge, privity, or consent. | am no politi
clan, and did not seek this or any other
nomination. I did not settle in Virginia t.
devote myself to politics. [Applause.l
came here for business. The genial climate
of your State, your vast commercial ad
vantages, the high character your people
have ever entertained for honor and integ'
rity, attracted me here. 1t was, therefore
with more than ordinary surprise, and
l might almost say, with feeling Of regret
that have found myself thrust before the
good people Of this Commonwealth as can
didate for the highest Office within thei1
gift. But when l consider the character Of
the men from whom this nomination ema
nates-when ] consider the important issues
involved and the vast interests at stake
when I read the platform of principles upor
which they desire me to stand and see
therein the principal plank, "Peacs
throughout the broad borders of Virginia
goodwill among all her citizens 81 fee
constrained to accept the nomination and
do the best can to accomplish the object
Applause.
Fellow citizens, the men who have placed
me in nomination are well known to you
and to the people Of this State. They are
men Of substantial character, men of broad
and catholic views and liberal principles
They are Republicans all-yes, Grant Ad
ministration Republicans-apd 30 am 1
These men, you and I, and every citizen o.
this Commonwealth, have the most vita
interest in the real and complete resto
ration of this State to her relations witt
the Federal Union. But how shall tina
be accomplished How shall Virginia agar
clothe herself in the sovereign habilimentt
of q State and again enter the grea
sisterhood of States There is but
one mode, there is but one road which yor
and can travel. We must execute the re.
construction laws of Congress promptly and
in good faith, and We again tread to the
music of the Union-again consider our
selves o sovereign State-again call our
selves freemen and then again, gentle
men, prosperity and peace will reig1
within your borders. believe, gentlemen
that the time has arrived when the people
or large majority of the people, of THU
Commonwealth are in accord with me upoI
this measure. I believe that they are con
WINGED that the time has arrived
when they should not only accep
the situation, but realize it in al
its force and bearings. have beer
one Of those who have been always in favo,
Of executing the reconstruction laws of Con
gress promptly, honestly, and thoroughly
have said it before, and repeat it AGAR
here, that in my judgment the wise and
polite course for the people Of this State t
pursue is to carry out those measures il
good faith. Are the people ready to carry
them out in good faith Are we ready fol
this issue What other mode is there By
which we in Virginia can ever again ente
the portals Of the Union ] see none, anc
/ believe you see none. Now, fellow. citi
zens, at this juncture there is no election
ordered for Virginia. A convention assem-
bled here last winter year ago AMI
framed constitution. That constitution
object to. object to it because Of it