The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-02-11
PORTER READ OUT Of THE RE-
PUBLICAN PARTY.

Buchu" organ, published by Humphreys
& Co. in this city, TO read our great and
good representative, Mr.. Porter, out OF the
Republican party. In his opposition TO
the State Central Committee, on the ques-
ton of the repeal of the test-oath, we
have no doubt that MIR. P. was actuated by
patriotic and pure motives, and was moved
to oppose the Committee by an honest
difference of opinion. Under these cir
cumstances, we think it hard that he
should be taken to task in such severe
terms as the following we "extract" which
from the leading article of the.."Buchu" of
the 7th instant:
awe do not believe that while the State
Central Committee exists any one else has
the right to speak for the party, and that
aohen that committee has determined upon
any course Of action, The party and its
seUeral members are in honor-bound to
abide By its decisions. That man aoho
refuses TO adhere TO and abide By The
actions Of this committee, alone the oit-
MoriZsd agent Of The party, is not en-
titled TO recognition as a trustworthy par
lyman, and acin in the future, be liable
10 the suspicion Of treachery, and should
necer receice the confidence Of his party"
On the 14th Of December, The State Cen
trail Committee of the Republican party
held meeting at their rooms in this city.
Among other resolutions offered and adopt
cd was one by Mr.. j. B. Sener, of Frede-
rcksburg, in which the policy of the party
in this State was declared to DO in favor of
general amnesty. The only member Of the
committee voting against it was Joseph NJ.
Humphreys, the collector of the port of
Richmond.
Mr.. Porter was informed of this action
of the Committee, and knew that in this
resolution its members were but reiterating
the sentiments of the Conference of last
May and the Convention of last September.
Yet, in the exercise of his undoubted right
to obey the dictates of his own conscience,
he has seen fit to oppose the State Central
Committee, aud has refused to be bound
by their decision. While we differ with
him on this question, we insist that
he shall not be SO harshly treated by
the paper referred to--a sckly semi
weekly, appearing ENTHUSIASTICALLY, semi
printed in New York, of which State
Mr.. Porter is demi-semi- quaver.
On the contrary, we insist that Mr..
Porter shall be permitted to remain a
member of the Republican party if he
chooses to do 50, although he has opposed
the policy of bis party as defined by its
authorized agent-the State Central Com
mittee--in regard to the question of gene
ral amnesty.
Mr. Plat, when the test-oath question
came up, held himself bound by party
instruction, and voted freely and intelli-
gently for its repeal. And this reminds us
that we failed to do justice to this gentleman
on that occasion by giving bis remarks,
which omission we now hasten to correct
by publishing them in full as they appeared
In the Globe
On Wednesday the House of Representa-
tives resumed the consideration of the bill
prescribing an oath of office to be taken by
persons who partici pated in the late rebel
lion, but who are not disqualified from
holding Office by the fourteenth amend
ment" After remarks by Messrs. Upton
and Bingham (Republicaus) in favor Of the
bill, Mr.. Plat (Rep.) of Virginia obtained
the floor, and spoke as follows:
Mr.. PLATT. would have preferred,
Mr.. Speaker, that this bill should have
provided for the entire repeal Of the IRON
clad oath. And had it been such bill,
would have voted for it with much more
pleasure than | shall now vote for the bill
as it is. But as in effect and practically it
accomplishes the same object which would
be accomplished by total repeal of the
iron-clad oath, will vote for it /; and / |
hope that every gentleman who desires to
see peace restored TO the South, and to see
that party prevail which put down the re-
bellion, will support this bill. |
I stand here, Mr.. Speaker, directed by |
The Republican party of the State of Vir-
,inia, to vote for the total repeal of all |
and all DISTINGUISHING clauses.
That party 10 the State of Virginia has
lime and again during the last eighteen
months put itself upon the record in favor
If that policy and, sir, / point to the
State Of Virginia to-day as an evidence of
he effects of that policy of the South.
Why is it that We do not bear coming up
rom that State the cry of outrages which
We hear coming up from other Southern
states Because 10 that State the Repub-
lean party has risen to the demands OF the
occasion, has placed upon record and
dopted as part of its platform declara-
ion in favor of general amnesty to all the
people of Virginia, and the repeal of all
hese obnoxious relics of the rebellion.
Mr.. MAYNARD. Will the gentleman
Mr.. PLATT. decline to be interrupted;
have only i've minutes. On the 26th OF
asst May there was held in the State of
'irginia conference of representatives of
be Republican party. My colleague Mr..
'orter] was a member of committee APP
'ointed by the conference to draw resolu-
ions for that body; and, as member of
hat committee, he reported for incorpora-
ion in the platform resolution in favor
general amnesty SO sweeping in its terms
nat, at the suggestion Of one of the Sena-
)rs from our State, Senator Lewis, it was