Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-06-01
The Committee of Nine.


this siste 70 its place in the Union. Before
US is pamphlet OF seventy-two pages con-
tanning the paper prepared by Mr.. STUART IN
compliance With that request. It's prepare
ton was delayed by circumstances which 1t
Is not necessary to mention; and even now
Il does not purport TO be Ga full history OF
All that occurred IN connection with the
events OF 1869"
The title OF the pamphlet is as follows:
A Narrative Of the Leading Incidents o.
the ORGANIZATION OF the First Popular
Movement In Virginia ia 1865 10 Reesta-
bhsh Peaceful Relations between the
Northern and Southern States, and Of the
Subsequent Efforts Of the "Commttee OF
Nme," in 1869, TO Secure tho Restoration
Of Virginia to the Union. BY ALEXANDER
II. II. STUART. Richmond: W. ELLIS
JovEs. 1883. price 80 cents.1
This narrative we have found highly inte-
resting. So far as we know, the facts 1t
states are all beyond dispute, as OF course
would be expected In paper prepared by
the distinguished statesman who so kindly
performed this work for the benefit Of his
felow-cltizens. Aud yet we fear that the
public Of to-day will infer from his state
mens on the subject that the Dispatch OF
1863, instead OF helping Mr. STU
ART in his good work, did nothing
more than yield TO the request OF several OF
Nj. STuARTs friends that we should publish
bis article fores hadowing what at that i'm
poriant period he thought the people OF
Virginia ought to do. lie says we objected
TO his article that "public opinion was not
prepared 10 entertain the propositions con-
tanned 10 IT." and asked why be had not
signed his name to st; that bis friend General
ECHOLs then informed us that hr. STUART
was willing that we should refer to
him as the author Of the commune
cation and responsible for its contents;
that our objections did not seem TO
be removed by General ECHOLS's statement;
that the communication was refused publ
cation by the WING and the Enquirer; that
Colonel SUTHERLIS and General ECH0Ls
then returned to Mr. ALEXANDER MosELY,
the editor OF the wig, and. upon their re-
quest, he consented to publish the communi-
cation on condition that Mr.. STUART should
be referred 10 as the author, that the editor
Of the Wing should not be held committed to
support the propositions contained in the
paper, and that the Dispatch should agree
10 publish 1t simultaneously under like con-
dtions. I'VE are surprised to learn that MIR.
MOsELY made conditions for us.] Dir. STU
ART then adds:
"9he Dispatch having consented 10 this
arrangement, the publication was made 10
both papers on the 2jth OF December, 1865,
indicating me Enthusiastically as the author"
VIII not the uniformed reader infer
from the foregoing statements that the DIS
patch turned a cold shoulder to Mr.. SrUARr's
propositlonf 1t seems to us that the inier>
ence is unavoidable. 1t IS due, therefore, TO
the Dispatch that we should reproduce our
article OF December 2j, 1865 commenting on
Mr.. SruARr's letter. Here It is;
"OUR Political TRoUBLEs."- let
ter OF our correspondent "Senex," one
Of the most distinguished statesmen in
the VaheyOi Virginia, which appears else
where In this paper, is worthy the serious
consideration OF our people. His statement
OF the difficulties OF our situation, OF tho
imposslbility OF avoiding negro suffrage.
and Of the possibility Of escaping other ana
worse evils, and the reasons he gives for adj
vlsipg the people OF Virginia to agree upon
the platform Of 'suniveTsal amnesty and
universal suffrage" commend themselves
TO our minds a. unanswerable arguments.
We dislike the proposal TO render negroes
eligible 20 office; yet we are willing 10 con-
ceie that even that is infinitely 10 be pre-
feri ed 10 the Bayne- Underwood Constitu-
tiou. But with all proper difference We
suggest that the plan proposed by "SeneX
j. incomplete. A constitution framed in
the manner suggested would never be ac-
cepted by Congress ~ the work OF the peo-
PIE OF Virginia. 10 present IL thus, and
a.kf for its acceptance or recognition 10y that
BODY. would be TO invite torrent OF denun-
citation consisting chiefly Of the words, the
Old slayOcrscy," "the people are ignored"
1.-the leaders still desire To rule the Masses"
&c, sc. But constitution framed IN this
or any other manner might be presented 10
Congress with the request that 1t and that
framed by the negro convention should be
submitted TO the voters OF Virginia, white
ard black, as competing constitutions, the
one receiving the greater number OF votes
to be accepted 10y Congress as the constitu.
ticn OF Virginia. II there Is one spark OF
generosity 10 the composition Of that body,
or the least regard for the rights Of our
people, such a request would be granted.
4 word as 10 the day named for
the assembling Of the gentlemen who
ere TO be charged with this important
duly. We learn that the Executive Central
Comnittee VIII probably he called together
on the 18th Of January-the day for the
meeting Of the Virginia Agricultural So
cieiy. As Congress will re8ssemble on the
6ln Of January, and may proceed ut once
f.r Of
this state. II Is all important that what we
have 10 propose shall be proposed as soon AS
possible. We suggest, therefore, the 18Th
DAY OF January. Instead OF the 1st day Of
February, as the time for the meeting Of
such gentlemen as may be selected TO un.
dertake this responsible, delicate, and most
important task.
SO much for the history Of the Dispatches
connection with the communication OF Mr..
STUART. We add that both the edltor.in.
chiet-then Mr.. j. A. CowARDN and his
associate attended the important meeting at
the Exchange Hotel, and that the former
spent good deal Of time In Washington
with the celebrated Committee Of Nine,
which, it was afterwards said, had done ga
great deal Of good" lie certainly did bic
NV ." hN"iHs 'hkhi" iVHtOitu w fNpAt-
ssntation 10 Congress, and 10 aiding in the
election OF GILBERT q. WALLER as a means
to that end. lie kept ahead Of the Virginia
publlc.
We do not wish to be understood % CEN
furing Mr.. srUARr 10 the least degree. He
could not recall every fact nor every actor.
His work Is well aud conscientIously done.
His narrative Is both interesting and impor-
tznt--invauabie. we might say. II viii no
doubt have wide circulation. Look to the
ntle-page, and not to this article, to learn
wsst range bis paper takes.
The pamphlet is for sale by J. W. RAN.
DoLPH & ENGLISH.