Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1891-02-13

May Sth, 1865, the first step taken tt
bring order in Virginia was taken in Au
gusta. A large meetinglwas held in Staun
ton at the court house and A. III. II. Stu.
ert, VIM. NJ. Tate, Jno. 3. Baldwin, M
G. Hartman and Hugh w. Sheffey were ap
pointed to go to Richmond and confer witt
the Z. S. military authority to that end
They went but accomplished nothing.
On Oct. 18th, 1865, Mr. Stuart was cleo
ted to Congress from this district, but wal
refused admission because he could no
take the iron-clad oath. In 1857 was tn
year for electing Governor, and it wa
generally conceded that if it had been held
either MI. Stuart OF John B. Baldwin
would have been chosen.
On December c11th, 1867, Mr. Stuar
at Richmond, presided over the first
State Convention of the new Con
servative party which had been formed
by the old Wings and Democrats Of
the State-a party which in 1859 swept the
State carrying everything before it.
THE COMMITTEE OF NINE.
In December Of the following year, MI.
Stuart undertook a work which required
more courage than any that he had under
| taken in political life before. 1t had be-
come pretty clear that the intention OF
Congress was to give the negro suffrage
and prescribe test oath for office holders
which would effectually exclude the white
men from filling any office in Virginia.
MI. Stuart determined to counterfeit this,
and in December, 1868, with others, in a
meeting in Staunton framed what was
called the ''New Movement OF 1.-The Com
mittee Of Nine 1t was, in brief, to ap-
jngton and urge upon congress universal sui
rage coupled with universal amnesty. A call
was issued to prominent men in the State
who assembled at Richmond, December
81, 1868, and appointed the following Com
mittee of \ inca. II. Fl. Stuart, Jno. B.
Baldwin, j. L. Marye, w. L. Sutherlin,
Wyndham Robertson, w. L. Owen, Jas.
Foote Johnson, Jas. Neeson and J. F.
Slaughter. The originators Of the plan
and the committee met opposition and rid
icule all over Virginia, but the men proved
steadfast and in the end accomplished the
| greatest work ever done for the State. The
committee persuaded Gen. Grant to
recommend a separate vote on the test oath
clause of the Underwood Constitution
which he did and the people voted
it down and saved the civilization
Of the State. Mother act of Mr.
Stuart S public life equaled this for cour-
age and persistence on his part and in
great results to his people,
When the election for U. S. Senator came
on in 1876, Mr.. Stuart came within two
votes Of being elected to that post
Since reconstruction days Mr. Stuart
has been member of the legislature, but
aside from that has taken but little part in
political affairs.
AWAITING DEATH.
Mr.. Stuart has for many years awaited
the approach Of death with philosophical
calm. Some years ago, after the death of
his wife, in 1856, he had a monument erect
ed in the cemetery under which he and she
should take their last rest. He prepared
the simple inscription with reference to
himself which was engraved on it several
years ago, and which is as follows:
"ALEX. H. H. STUART,
Born April End, 1907,
Married August 1st, 1855,
Died -
Member of the House of Delegates of Virginia
OF the 9th Congress;
Of the Senate of Virginia;
Secretary of the Department of Interior;
Member of Virginia Convention of 1861;
Rector OF the University of Virginia;
Trustee of Peabody Educational Fund;
President Historical Society of Virginia %
MI. Stuart leaves three children, the
wives of Rev. r. II. Gibson of Cincinnati.
DR.. Hunter Mcclure of Richmond, and
Alex. F. Robertson, Esq, of Staunton. He
has lost three sons and two daughters.
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