The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-01-15
THE VIRGINIA SUFFRAGE AND AMNRs.
TY MOVEMENT.

IL AUNEMkNT.
The Washington correspondent ofthe
New York Tribune gives the following
Interesting statements in regard to the
virginia conservative movement now
on foot at the capital Ita.-,
The late movement in Virginia for
universal suffrage and universal amnes-
ty was undertaken BY prominent citi-
zens, The conservative organization fail
ing to act one way or the other. The
conference being hastily convened, in
cludes only u few of those favorable to
the movement, but the committee now
here includes several of the most con-
splcuous citizens and they are all rep
resentative men. With one exception
the committee are at the n ational ho-
tel, where they have had several con-
ferences with other leading politicians
Among whom are Mcssrs Deiar~ e,
McMullen, Turner, and various MEM
bers of the Virginia press
. All are united on the general basis of
settlement already Indicated, and in
opposition to the Underwood constitu-
ton, but there are various counter plans
suggested. One is, that Congress should
be asked to make notifications to the
to take the Alexandria constitution, or
that of 1860, or some Northern State
constitution, as basis, inserting the
proper suffrage clause, or such other
clauses as Congress may demand. A
third plin is to ask for new conven-
ton, with removal of disabilities, to
make a now constitution. 1t was con-
sldered best to confer freely with re-
nnhIInpn har
various plans for their consideration. =
So far, neither among the committee
nor among the members consulted is
there fixed opinion as to the best mode
OF proceeding, but all the Indications
point to some result which will be mu-
tnally satisfactory. t .sf-5.er5 .... 3 &.
Leading republican Senators insist
on universal suffrage, and OH some
schooi provision as necessary features
IN the new instrument, and this the
Firglnians freely concede. On other
points all the Senators and members,
who have been conferred with express
readiness to act in the most liberal.
manner. The committee are greatly
pleased with the courteous reception
they haze met with from leading re-
publicans, and speak in high terms
OF the readiness to accord q fair and pa
tient hearing to their representations.
Senators Stewart, Wilson, Howard,
sherman, Ross, Cole, Coukling, and
movement, and the committee ale en-
couraged, by all the Indications. to ex-
pect success. Mr.. Washburne is also
believed to be favorable to the propo-
sitlon. Gen. Grant has expressed his
at the prospect Of a settle
ment, and will lend the weight Of his
name 10 wnateyer Pan may be agreed
ulon between leading republicans and
thls delegation. General Schofield has
always been opposed to the Underwood
constitution, and says that with it's pro-
scriptive features proper State gov
eminent cannot be secured. He would
prefer any fair plan which includes i'm
partial suffrage. The leaders of the for
mer republican organization in Virgin
ia are divided in reference to the I'm
derwood constitution. Judge Rives,
Mr.. Franklin Stearncs, Gen. Wickham
and others opposing it as unfortunate.
Ihe moyemenE of the delegation now
here is bitterly assailed by the Rich
mond Enquirer and other newspapers
OF the State, and there is an attempt to
break 1T down. This division is already
SO bitter as to toreshadow a breaking up
Of former political organizations. Gov.
Wise, II. L. Daniel, Gov. Smith, Robert
Ould are very hostile to conceding inn
partial suffrage. In their action how
ever, the members OF the committee are
sustained by Geo. w. Boiling, Hon.
JAS. A. Seldom, Thos. s.. Flourney,
Frank @. Ruffner, Judge Meredith, the
Hon. ID. G. Dejarnette, The Hon. AL
len L. Caperton, Judge w. Robertson,
and many other influe atial persons.
The position of Messrs Bocock, j.. X.
Fucker, Harvie and James Barbour IS
not yet known, and will depend prola- |
ply upon the nature of the settlement |
arrived at. Gen. Robt. e. Lee and |
.he Hon. II. III. Il. Hunter, who are by |
ar the most influential men in Virgin !
a, were known some time ago to be |
willing to settle on the basis of impair !
'ial suffrage, with some intelligence or
!, property qualification. At all events
The friends OF the movement ex pect to |
DC sustained by the public sentiment. |
md to carry with them a large number |
Of the coiored people, and thus control |
5he politics of tie State. They are in |
earnest. and mean to proceed regardless |
,f past party associations, looking only |
20 the future of .heir State. ~