Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-01-04
RESTTTT OF POLITTCALC CONFER
EECE IN RICHMOND.

A meeting of citizens from different portions
Of the State convened at the Exchange Hotel,
in the city of Richmond, on the 3lst Of De-
cember, 1868, for the purpose of consultation,
in regard to the matters explained in the par
rative Of their proceedings hereinafter supplied,
was organized by inviting the Hon a. IL. ii.
Stuart to the chair and by the appointment of
G. C.. McRae secretary.
MIR. Stuart on taking the chair explained
the objects TOR which the meeting was held,
and the circumstances under and Inc manner
in which it originated
After considerable discussion, in which q
large number of the meeting participated, and
in which much harmony OF feeling and views
was displayed, it was determined that com
mittee of eight in number (of which the Hon.
A. II. Il. Stuart was made chairman by the
meeting) should be appointed, charged with
the duty of celebrating and REP ting in re.
gard to suitable business for the consideration OF
the meeting. The chair being requested to ap
point the remaining members OF the committee
named: Messrs George w. Boiling, OF Peters
burg Thomas S. FlournOy, OF Halifax; y ohm
L. Marye, jr., of Fredericksburg u. =. DE,
iarnette, of Caroline; Frank u, Ruthn, OF
Chesterfield; James L. johnson, OF Bedford
ID. MdRIuUSis VI &AAVSAh'AAN) "AAS. ~NfN'-
the meeting ad ourned to convene on the en-
suing evening, 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 their Chairman, submitted
report, the distinct features OF which being
separately considered and acted upon, the
whole. after elaborate discussion, with some
notifications introduced by the action OF the
meeting, was finally approved by vote nearly
unanimous, only two gentlemen who partlclpa7
ted in the proceedings OF the meeting express
ing, as before explained, an unwlilingness to
other gentlemen who acted with the meeting
would doubtless have been added had they
been present at the time of adjournment.
In the progress of the meeting the following
proceedings occurred 1t was resolved that the
Hon. Alexander Ii. Ii. Stuart DO requested to
serve as Chairman of the Committee OF nine
persons appointed to visit Washington Tor the
purpose indicated in another part OF the pro-
ceedugs, and that the Chair be requested to
apuoint a Committee of three to recommend
for the consideration of the meeting the names
of eight other gentlemen who with the Chair
man, shall constitute the delegation referred TO.
In accordance with the foregoing resolution
the Chair named MesSrS. John Echols, i. q.
Rufin and James d. Johnston as the Com
mittee, who, after short retirement reported,
recommending as the delegation in addition to
the Hon. A. II. II. Stuart, Messrs. John Il.
Marye, ir., of Fredericksburg; James +. John
son, of Bedford; w. L. Sutherlin, of Danvllle;
Wyndham Robertson, of Washington county
w. Il. Owen, of Halifax; John B. Baldwin, OF
Augusta James Neeson, OF klchmono' y. u.
Slaughter, of Lynehburg. Inc question belng
put on the recommendation OF the Commlttee,
The same was unanimously approved. 1t was
ordered that the Richm ond press be requested
to publish these proceedings, and thereupon
Q. G. McRAE, Secretary.
'gThe undersigned, residents of different parts
of Virginia, having, upon invitation OF some
of their own number, assembled in Richmond
for the purpose of holding conference in re-
gard to the present imperrllled condition OF the
Commonwealth, after a tull Interchange OF
opinions, have come to the following concu-
sions, which they respectfully submit to the
calm and patriotic Judgment Of their coun
trymen:
I. While the convictions of the undersigned
and as they believe of the people Of Virginia
generally, remain unchanged, that the freed
men of the Southern States, 10 their present
uneducated condition. are not prepared Tor 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 public opinion in favor of their being
allowed to exercise the right of suffrage, as eX
pressed in the recent elections, the undersigned
are prepared, and they believe the majority of
the people of Virginia are prepared, to surren
der 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 uni
versal suffrage and universal amnesty.
III. To give effect to this purpose, and TO
spare no effort to effect speedy and permanent
restoration of union and harmonious relations
between the portions Of our country which
have been for some years past alienated, the
undersigned will appoint committee Of nine
members from different parts OF the State, and
rejecting, as lar as may be practicable, the pub
lie sentiment Of the State, whose duty it shall
be, at an early day, to proceed to Washington,
and be authorized to make known the views
and purposes hereby declared to the Congress
Of the United States, and to take such meas
ures as they may think proper to aid in OBJ
tanning from that body such legislation concern
inc the organic law of Virginia as Congress in
its wisdom may deem expedient and best under
all the circumstances. The delegation so to be
constituted may fill vacancies, and are author
lied to enlarge their number IN their discretion.
III. The undersigned recommend to the
people of Virginia, by primary meetings to APP
point delegates to q popular convention, to be
held in Richmond, on Wednesday, the 10th
day of February, 1869, to receive the report Of
the committee appointed by the foregoing res
olutions, and adopt such other measures as
may be deemed expedient to promote the OBJ
jeets herein advocated.
Alex. H. H. Stuart, Augusta county
Thomas Branch, Richmond
ID. Q. Dearnette, Caroline;
Thomas S. Fiournoy, Halifax;
Wyndham Robertson, Washington co.
VIM D. QueSenberry Caroline;
g. II. Magruder, Albemarle;
Geo. w. Boiling, Petersburg;
Asa D. Dickinson, Prince Edward;
John i. Marye, ir., Fredericksburg
w. G. Knight, Richmond;
Ro. Whitehead, Nelson county;
j. +. Slaughter, Lynchburg;
A q Pend Teton Giles: