The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-01-04
Conference of Citizens of Virginia.

A meeting Of citizens from different por-
tions Of the State convened at the exchange
Hotel in the city of Richmond on the 3lst
of December, 1868, for the purpose OF con-
sultation in regard to matters explained IN
the narrative of their proceedings herein
after SUPPLIED was organized by calling the
Hon. A. n. H. Stuart to the chair and oy
the appointment of G. G. McHae as secre-
tary.
Mr.. Stuart, on taking the chair, explained
the object for which the meeting was held,
and the circumstances under, and the man
ner in. which it originated. After consider
able discussion, in which large number
of the meeting participated, and in which
much harmony of feeling and views was
disnlayed. it was determined that COM
mittee OF eight in number (of which the
Hon, A. e. II. Stuart was made chairman
by the meeting) should be appointed,
charged with the duty of celebrating and
reporting in regard to suitable business 1or
the consideration of the meeting.
The Chair being requested to appoint the
| remaining number of the committee, &C
cordingly named Messrs. George ". SOL
ling. of Petersburg; Thomas S. Flourno,y'
of Halifax John L. Marye, Jr., Of Frede.
ricksburg +; D. G. De Jarnette, OF GaE o q
Frank G.. Ruffn, of Chesterheid D. p
Magruder, of Albemarle;; ana James - = !. .
Johnson, of Bedford; and thereupon .n'
meeting adjourned to convene on inc 'a0o
ing evening and at the same place
According to the order OF aoJou Iaauar-,
the meeting again assembled On 1aauat
LAT 1890. when the committee appolnteu
~ tha, Form ar session, throug b its chairman,
snbmitted a report, the distinct features OF
wh;ch beinei separately considered ana
s 10 ~ ttbs whole, after elaborate discus
900 1 LEI some modification introduced by
az ~, an of the meeting, was hnally ap-
~ uro,sd bv a vote nearly unanimous, only
p ,no,ran+Iemen who participated in, the
s~G of The meeting expressing, as before
1ainad unwillingness to concur In lts
ssp1 octior,. The names of several other
nan.,s,nen who acted with the meeting
sso,,IS doubtless have been added had they
Men h nresent at the time Of adjournment.
Tn the progress of the meeting the follow
inc proceedings occurred: 1t was
! Resol,,ed. That the Hon. Alexander Fl.
n Stuart be requested to serve as chair
man of the committee of nine persons to be
| annointed to visit Washington for the pur-
| nose indicated in another part of the pro-
| ceeAings, and that the Chair be requested
"a apr,point committee of three to recon-
/ mend for the consideration Of the meeting
| the names of eight other gentlemen, who
with the chairman shall constitute the dele
cation referred to in accordance with the
foregoing resolution.
The Chair named Messrs. John Echols,
F. G. Ruffin, and James D. johnson, as the
committee, who, after short retirement,
| reported recommending as the delegation,
| in addition TO the Hon. A. 81. II. Stuart as
| chairman, Messrs. John L. Marye, Jr., Of
fredericksburg James F. Johnson, of Bed
ford; W. T. Sutherlin, Of Danville; Wynd-
/ ham Robertson, of Washington county w.
! L. Owen, of Halifax John B. Baldwin, Of
Augusta; James Neeson, of Richmond and
]. F. Slaughter, of Lynchburg. i.
The question being put on the recommen-
dation Of the committee, the same was
unanimously approved.
g. C. McRAE, Secretary.
The undersigned, 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
i ing a conference in regard to the present
! imperilled condition Of the Commonwealth,
after full interchange Of opinion have
come to the following conclusion, which
they respectfully submit to the calm and
patriotic Judgment of their countrymen:
While the conviction Of the Undersigned,
and, as they believe, Of the people of Vir-
ginia generally, remains unchanged that
the freedmen Of the southern States, in
their present uneducated condition, are not
prepsred 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 de-
positories of political power, yet, in view
OF the verdict Of public opinion in favor Of
their being allowed to exercise the right Of
suffrage as expressed in the recent cleo
tons, the undersigned are prepared, and
they believe the majority of the people Of
Virginia are prepared, to surrender their
opposition to IFS 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 suffrage and universal amnesty.
Q. 70 give effect to this purpose, and to
spare no effort to effect speedy and per-
manent restoration of union and harmoni-
GUS relations between the portions of our
country which for some years past have