The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-03-14
THE RADICAL PARTY.
THE C0NFLICT1NG ELEMENTS IN
COUNCIL.
A UNION EFFECTED.
CALL FOR 4 CONFERENCE.

CALL FOR A CONFERENCE.
A meeting of gentlemen representing the
different branches of the Republican party
in virginia was held at the United States
courtroom in this city on Saturday in re-
spouse to call signed by Senator Lewis
and several of the Virginia members Of
Congress, the object being a settlement OF
the differences of opinion existing in the
party.
Hon. James H. Platt read the call under
which the meeting assembled, aud on his
motion Henry NJ. Bowden, of Norfolk. mem
ber of the House of Delegates, was called
to the chair, and Andrew Washburne and
". n. Stevens (colored) were appointed
secretaries.
Colonel Platt and Hon. John +. Lewis
then addressed the meeting, urging the i'm
portance of uniting all the present conflict
ing elements in the Republican party in
opposition to the Democratic majority, and
that all past differences should be forgotten.
Mr.. Washburne then read letter from
Hon. Lewis Mckenzie, member of Congress
from the eighth district, expressing his COR
dial approval of the objects Of the call, and
apologizing for unavoidable absence.
Mr.. Platt moved the appointment by the
Chair of a committee of eight to forward
to Republicans in different sections Of the
State invitations to assemble here on the
9th day of April next for the purpose of
having conference with view to re0r-
ganize the Republican party Of Virginia.
Mr.. Fayerman moved to amend by substi-
tuting the 9th of May as the day of meet
ing, which was afterwards withdrawn.
Senator Lewis stated that the object Of
the proposed conference was to appoint an
executive committee which would be recog-
nized by all the elements of Republican,
ism in this State. He remarked, too, that
all persons who have the welfare of the
Republican party at heart should feel au-
to take part in the meeting.
Ex-Governor Wells, George +. Gilmer,
Judge Bramhall, Peter G. Morgan, S. NJ.
Dodge, and others, participated in dis
cussion of the propriety of the proposed
conference, the prevailing sentiment ap-
peariug to be in favor of the proposition.
Governor Wells remarked that the time
had come to lay aside oil personal conside-
rations, and that nearly all good results
were obtained by personal sacrifices. This,
he said, was the time for Cancellation, and
nothing should be done to widen any exist
ing breach.
On motion, Hon. C. II. Porter was re-
uuestel to submit his ideas on the question
at issue. Mr.. Porter spoke at some length,
expressing himself as of opinion that the
proposed conference would not be the best
means of accomplishing the end desired.
Colonel John W. Jenkins offered as Il
substitute to the original motion OF Colonel
PIatt the following resolution
Z" ReSolred, That the committees, headed
respectively by Hon. c. II. Porter, General
Williams G. WiCkham, and G. X. Gilmer, be
requested to appoint five persons each,
who arc authorized and requested to invite
persons from the different parts of the
State to assemble in the city of Richmond
on the 9th of April for the purpose OF
taking measures to retjrganizc the Eepubli-
can party of Virginia"
Colonel Platt moved to amend by insert
jnr five names from each Republican COM
mittee of the State.
The resolution and amendment we're
adopted, and the following gentlemen ap'
pointed:
Messrs. G, K. Gilmer, J. B. Crenshaw,
Normand Smith, c. :. Bundy, ana FRANK
lin Stearns General Williams C.Wickham:
Messrs. Andrew Washbune, PIG. Morgan,
Il. W. Hughes, and +. NJ. Manlcy; lion
G. II. Porter, alessrs. S. +. Maddox, John
B. Miller, anI 7. lie,muth: :;
On motion of Mr.. Fayerman, the Virsi
mia Republican delegation in Congress were
added to the committee; after which tht
meeting adjourned.
In the afternoon Il ma i0rity Of the com
mttee thus appointed met at the same
place, when Senator Lewis was called to tht
chair and Mr.. Washhurnc waa appointed
secretary.
Mr.. Crenshaw submitted resolution de
clariiig it inexpediettt to hold d conference
of the Republican party at this time.
Mr.. Robert ". Hughes opposed this pro
position, and proposed the following substi'
tute:
.ReSoIced, That We call q conference oI
as many persons Ms now constitute the
House Of Delegates, representing respective.
" the constituencies in that body. an'j
twelve members ut large, to meet III Rich
mond on the 9Th of April for the purpose OF
reJrganizng the Republican party Of Fir-
ginia.'
IN informal debate ensued, in which the
state of the party was discussed, and Mr.
Lewis incidentally remarked that the safety
Of every Union man in the State depended
upon rescuing the State from the hands OF
the rebel Democracy. =,
Mr.. Porter make quite speech, and sand
that if it was the intention OF the gen
tlelncn composing this meeting to support
the policy of Governor Walker he desired
to have nothing further to do with 1t. lie
wanted to know whether it was meeting z
in the interests Of the Republican party OF
of the rebel majority in the Legislature.
Mr.. Lewis said this meeting had nothing
to DO with Mr.. Walker or Mr.. Anybody
clse's politics, but he thought the Governor
would do what was right. At any rate,
we ought to wait and see.
Mr.. Hughes objected to anything further
being said about the Governor or his policy.
Mr. Crenshaw said he only wished to say
as Il friend of Governor Walker that Inc
was pretty sure he would come out al right
Mr.. Hughes reioined that for his part he
didn't care whether he did or not.
The resolution offered by Mr.. Hughes was
then adopted, together with the following
offered by Mr.. Franklin Stcarns:
" RcSolred, That Il committee Of three,
to consist of the chairmen Of the Republi
can committees, be appointed to select the
persons to form the conference, and that
each chairman ~,lcsignate one-third of tho
one hundred and thirty-eight members of
the conference, and that the twelve remain
ing be selected at large, jointly, be the COM
mittpp