The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1869-01-07
Conference Of Citizens Of Virginia.


portions of the State convened at the Ex-
change Hotel in the city of Richmond on
the 31st of December, 1868, for the pur-
pose Of consultation in regard to matters
explained in the narrative of their pro-
ceedings hereinafter supplied; was organ
lied by calling the Hon. A. II. FL. Stuart
to the chair and by the appointment of
c. G. McRae as secretary.
Mr.. Stuart, on taking the chair, explain
ed the object for which the meeting was
held, and the circumstances under, and
the manner in which it originated
After considerable discussion, in which
large lumber of the meeting participated,
and in which much harmony of feeling
and views was displayed, it was determin-
ed that committee of eight in number
(of which the Hon. A. H. H. Stuart was
made chairman by the meeting) should be
appointed, charged with the duty Of de-
liberating and reporting in regard to suit
able business for the consideration Of the
meeting.
The Chair being requested to appoint
the remaining number of the committee,
accordingly named Messrs. George w.
Boiling, of Petersburg; Thomas S. Flour
noy, Of Halifax John J.. Marye, Jr., of
Fredericksburg D. G. De Jarnette, of
Caroline; Frank G.. RuAin, of Chester
field B. H. johnson, of Bedford and
James r. johnson, of Bedford ; and there
upon the meeting adjourned to convene on
the ensuing evening and at the same place.
According to the order of adjournment,
the meeting again assembled ON January
LIST, 1869, when the committee appointed
at the former session, through its chair
man, submitted a report, the distinct fea-
lures of which being separately consider
ed and acted on, the whole, after elabo-
rate discussion, with some modification
introduced by the action of the meeting
was finally approved by vote nearly
unanimous, only two gentlemen who par
ticipated in the meeting expressing, as be-
fore explained, unwillingness to concur in
it's final action. The names of several other
gentlemen who acted with the meeting
would doubtless have been added had they
been present at the adjournment.
In the progress of the meeting the fol-
lowing proceedings occurred: 1t was
Resoluea, That the Hon. Alexander H.
| FL. Stuart be requested to serve as chair
man of the committee of nine persons to
be appointed to visit Washington for the
purpose indicated in another part of the
proceedings, and that the Chair be reques-
ted to appoint committee of three to
recommend for the consideration of the
meeting the names Of eight other gentle
men, who with the chairman shall consti-
tute the delegation referred to in accor-
dance with the foregoing resolution.
The Chair named Messrs. John Echols,
F. G. Rufin, and James D. johnson, as
ment, reported recommending as the dele
cation, in addition to the Hon. A. II. II.
Stuart as chairman, Messrs. John L. Marye,
Jr., of Fredericksburg; James 4. John
son, of Bedford W. T. Sutherlin, of
Danville; Wyndham Robertson, of Wash
ington county; W. L. Owen, of Halifax
John B. Baldwin, of Augusta James
Neeson, of Richmond; and j. F. Slaugh-
ter, of Lynchburg.
The question being put Oh the recon-
mendation of the committee, the same
was unanimously approved.
G. G. McRAE, Secretary.
The und ersigned, residents Of different
portions of Virginia, having, upon invita-
ton of some Of their own number, assem-
bled in Richmond for the purpose Of hold
ing conference in regard to the present
imperrilled condition of the Common
wealth, after full interchange Of opinion
have come to the following conclusion
which they respectfully submit to the
calm and patriotic Judgment of their coun-
ttymon:
l. While the conviction of the under
signed, and, as they believe, of the peo-
pie of Virginia generally, remains unchang-
ed that the freedmen of the Southern
States, in their present uneducated con-
dition, are not prepared for the intelligent
exercise of the elective franchise and the
performance of other duties connected
with public affairs, and are therefore, at
this time, unsafe repositories of political
power, yet, in view of the verdict of pub
lie opinion in favor of their being allowed
to exercise the right of suffrage as ex-
pressed in the recent elections, the under
signed are prepared, and they believe the
majority of the people of Virginia are
prepared, to surrender their opposition to
its incorporation into their fundamental
law as an offering on the altar of peace.
and in the hope that union and harmony
may be restored on the basis of universal
amnesty.
2. To give effect to this purpose, and
to spare no effort to effect speedy and
permanent restoration of union and har-
monious relations between the portions OF
our country which for some years past
have been alienated, the undersigned will
appoint committee of nine from differ
ent portions Of the State, and rejecting
as far as may be practicable the public
sentiment of the State, whose duty it shall
be at an early day to proceed to Washing
ton and be authorized to make known the
views and purposes hereby declared to the
Congress Of the United States, and to take
such other measures as they may think
proper to aid in obtaining from That body
such legislation concerning the organic
law of Virginia as Congress in its wisdom
may deem expedient and best under all
circumstances. The delegation SO to be
constituted may fill vacancies, and are
authorized to enlarge their number in
their discretion.
8. The undersigned recommend to the
people Ct Virginia, by primary meetings,
to appoint delegates to a popular conven-
ton to be held in Richmond, on Wednes-
day, the 10th day of February, 1869, to