The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-03-31


the record in the direction claimed by my
colleague. The first was at the conference
held on the 21st day Of April last, mot on
the 26th day of May last, as errone.
ously stated by my colleague,) by which
the universal suffrage and universal
amnesty resolution, which | have al
ready quoted, was adopted. The other
time was at the State convention, held on
the 22d of last September, before which
the proceedings of the April conference
legitimately came for review--for approval
or disapproval. The committee on reso-
lutions, OF which had the honor of being
the chairman, unanimously reported in
favor Of the affirmance of the suffrage am
nesty resolution of the April conference.
And, as matter of course, the Republic
can party of Virginia would still be in
favor. Of universal amnesty for the disabled
citizens of that State If so many loyal men
had not been defrauded out Of their suf-
frage in the late election, and outragts
committed upon the eve Of tho election.
My colleague again says:
"Sir, as l said before, stand here instructed
on this question by a resolution adopted by
the representatives of the Republican party of
Virginia, at a meeting Of their State Central
Committee, only two months ago. A resolution
adopted BY that committee unanimously with
the exception of one member, who afterwards
Congress of the United States to give this mea-
sure to the people of the South"
| have never heard of any member of
the Republican State Central Committee
apologizing for having voted against the
resolution referred to by my colleague. I
did hear, however, that one OF the men,
bers OF the committee thought it was not
proper subject for the State Committee to
exercise jurisdiction over, and l think be
was right. | never received any official
notice whatever of the adoption of this
resolution and if had, should not have
complied with its instruction.
My colleague says he is instructed by
the State Committee to vote for universal
amnesty. 1t is the first time l ever heard
that State committee could instruct,
could direct Representative in Congress,
how he should vote.
Even the Legislature of State does not
instruct its Representatives it simply re-
quest them to do SO or so, in given case.
The State Committee. in adopting the reso-
luton referred to by my colleague have
certainly made mistake. One of request
would have been very proper before, bat
not after the election. Suffrage must net
be denied to loyalty and amnesty given to
disloyalty. The election demonstrated
that it is the purpose of the leaders of the
disabled forces to "crush out" colored suf-
frage in Virginia. 1t is the circumstances
attending this election and the outrages
Immediately preceding it, and the conspi-
racy on The part of the Conservative leaders,
made more and more manifest with each
succeeding day, to keep our colored citi-
zens from the jury box, and to deny them
"the equal protection of the laws" that
has caused the Republican party of Vir-
ginia to cry out, "No further am nesty for
disl0yalty until !, loyalty can !, BE- pr0tected.'
My colleague goes on to say:
"Sir, / am utterly surprised at the course
of my colleague in this House for only two
months ago he stumped his district, the third
district OF Virginia, as an advocate of general
amnesty. He advocated it from the stump,
repelling with Indignation the charge that be
was in favor of continuation of the policy of
and l aver here to day that he
would not have been elected to this House if
he had not taken that stand"
1t is true that I advocated amnesty 10
my late canvass, but only upon the assump-
tion that the colored people of Virginia
were not to be molested Ia their rights.
was willing to assume, as have already
said, that the Democratic party ia Virgin
ia would carry out the fifteenth amend
ment; but on the day of election they de-
that they intended to nullifyit
by unlawful means. My colleague UNDER
takes to aver that would not have been
reelected to Congress if had not taken
the stand which he enormously supposes
was that of unconditional amnesty. Well, |
as my colleague comes into my district and |
to tell the House how my re-
election here came to be secured, / am |
quite sure that my suave colleague will |
have no objection to my entering his |
district aud informing the House how it is |
that they are favored with his genial pres
snce here for second term.
Ny colleague again proceeds:
"But, sir, growing wiser with experience,
We last September took away from our politi.
'ai enemies the plank OF general amnesty, |
adopting it as part of our platform; and on
hat broad policy we retrieved the disasters of
he previous year we overcame the adverse
majority of twenty thousand we carried the
state of Virginia on that platform of general
amnesty"
This is very remarkable statement
! lacks as much of being fact as his ar
,uments, in my. humble judgment, are
wanting in soundness and his opinions des-
itute Of force. Why, sir, out of the eight
congressman the Conservatives elected five.
md on the popular vote in the State the
majority was against us; and yet my COL
eague AYERS that we carried the State 1t
S to be regretted that my colleague, in his
leat and anxiety to have the test-oath re-
'ealed, should have forgotten the result of
he election held in his own State not
hree months since.
My colleague again says:
"Sir, point to the State of Virginia to day
Is an evidence of the effects of that policy,
the amnesty policy.) Why is it that we do
lot hear coming up from that State the cry of
utrages which we hear coming up from other
southern States? Because in that State the
republican party has risen to the demands of
he occasion, has placed upon record and
dopted as part of its platform declaration
q favor of general amnesty to all the people
f Virginia, and the repeal of all these OBJ
oxious relics Of the rebellion"
My colleague refers to outrages commit
i u