Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-06-20


oath until there was not an organized
body Of Confederate troops known TO
exist--not until our beloved chief, Jefi.
Davis, had given himself up--not until,
in fact, no other alternative was left us.
Leave your children at least the legacy
Of "duty we'll performed"
lie was followed by Captain j. Med.
Darlington, favoring contrary course
to some extent. He thought there was
no need Of waiting II the last army Joe
Johnston's) in the field had surrendered.
Still, however, he distinctly wished it
understood that he was not advising.
lie was exchanging views, and he hoped
all would give their views; and hoped
that every one would act strictly in &C
cordance with the decision of the meet
ing. In most eloquent and impressive
style be depicted the condition Of our
old mother, Virginia. "What was her
condition? Should we stay in prison
if our armies were gone, our Govern
ment fugitive, when it was in our power
to ameliorate the condition of our old
State by returning? Well might we
ponder this question. Let no inordi-
nate delicacy Of duty to Government
which has no local habitation prevent
us from returning at once to the one to
whom we first owe allegiance-the Old
Dominion" He saw no grounds for
hope and with the stern fact staring
us in the face, duty bade US act for our
selves and adopt a policy best calcu-
lated to do the most good. He again
desired to say that he was not advising.
He admitted he had some miSgivings
about bis own views; but he hoped
every officer would be candid and ex-
change views, so that we could act adj
visedly.
Captain Swan spoke at length, favor
ing Captain Carrington's views. His
speech was touching and beautiful.
Hardly dry eye was to be seen in the
house. To attempt sketch Of it would
do injustice to it. Ills beautiful re-
marks about the mother Commonwealth
touched every heart.
lie was followed by Captain McCue,
v no also favored Captain Carriugton's
yi,Ys
Addresses were made pro and con-,
when the following resolutions were Of
fered by Captain Bumgardner
Resolred, That in the opinion of this
meeting, under the present circum-
stances, if the oath of allegiance to the
United States Government is rendered
US by the Federal authorities, it can be
taken without violating any practical
construction Of the law Of honor,
or Of repudiating any practical bind
ing to the Confederate Government
believing, as we do, that it has been
dissolved; and the claims of Virginia
TO our sacrifices and exertions are now
paramount to all other considerations.
Before this was put to the house a
motion to adjourn till t P. NJ. was car
red.
Pursuant to adjournment, the meet
ing was called to order by Major Otey,
and on his motion ION account Of the
sickness of Colonel MOsely), Captain II.
c. Dickerson was called to the chair.
Resolutions were offered as follows:
Resoired, That we, officers from Viz
einia, are at perfect liberty to take the
oath Of allegiance to any Government.
as we have none Of our own.
Almost unanimously defeated.
Again
Resoired, That no violation Of any
duty to the Confederacy will occur
should any member of this meeting take
the oath Of allegiance to the United
States Government.
Defeated.
Again
Resolred, That in the opinion of this
meeting we are at liberty to act for our
selves in the matter Of the oath Of allie
glance.
Defeated.
On motion, Captain Bumgardner's
resolutions offered in the morning meet
JDB hSIt ldhSh uP'
The Secretary was directed to read
them.
On motion of Captain McCue, Gen
eral Page was rendered seat in the
meeting.
The Chair appointed Captain McCue,
Colonel Christian and Captain llalsey
n committee to wait on General Page,
and escort him to the meeting and re-
quest his views, pending which Captain
Swan was vocilerously called for, when
he came forward, advocating the reso-
lutions of Captain Bumgardner.
The resolutions were being discussed
when the committee reported General
Page too unwell to attend. However,
be sent his views. which were that ne
thought We had right now to act for
ourselves, as all our armies were gone,
our Government fugitive, ard Virginia
needed us.
A motion was made that a copy Of
the oath be procured, so that the meet
ing could see, for the first time, the
yellow puppy "a name gl'eA 10 the
oath in prison, printed OF yellow pa
per-
Captain Bumgardner closed the dis
cussion, fayoring his resolutions, when
the committee appointed to procure a
copy Of the yellow puppy" arrived.
1t was produced and read and reread
and exhibited. when the Chair an
nounced that he would put tho lues-
ton on the resolutions.
Captain lIalsey moved that they be
laid on the table.
Carried almost unanimously.
Then, on motion, the meeting ad-
jouIned sine die, after having directed
the Secretary to set the names and ad-
dress Of all members Of the meeting,
and to preserve the same for future use
should they ever return to the land they
loved so well.
Annexed will be found the names.