The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-01-20


ists-united In the brotherhood
or a common danger. and animated
~ "a common purpose. Tne name diiier
which the old factions were mingled into
one was conservative
The later bocy was similarly composer,
and the ticket placed In the heid ASSOC
ciated together men OF former diverse
affiliations: at the head Colonel Il. T..
Mithers: Tor Lieutelant-Governor, John
A.. Harye. and James A. Walker, Tor At
torncy-GeneraI. "A vigorous canv iss was
made In behalf of these nominees, but
the election was postponed from time to
fime. until il seemed that our ammunition
OF oratory had been thrown away. In
the spring or 1869, General Grant having
Just entered upon the first term OF his
presidency, information was received
through friendly, sources at Washington
that a predetermined part of his policy
would be 10 order submission OF the con-
stitution drafted by the Underwood con-
vention II popular vote, and at the
same time an election for the officers
contemplated by that instrument would
be held.
The situation rad changed so distinctly
since the previous year that the Conserva-
tive leaders began at once TO question
the safety of pursuing the line OF policy
thtH thought to promise d.liverance. MIR.
signed 'Lenox.' sounded the Remote of
an alarm which soon became general.
This document was the inception OF the
COMMITTEE Of Nine" which subsequently
aid such good Ser' ice In obtaining CON
cessiors from the Administration. An
informal conference in Richmond develop
ed practical unanlmty on his PROPOSE
tons: First that the CONSERVATIVES could
not afford to accept the Constitution as IT
a do 20
go before the people with a ticket every
member of which had been active IN so
called rebellion and lao member of which
could take the oath3 required by the
Constitution, IL elected. This opinion
grew into conviction. Under the call of
Mr. Raleigh r. Daniel. chairman Of the
state Conservative Committee. meeting
took place at the Exchange Hotel of the
city ana county superintendent Of that
party. Hon. John +. Baldwin presided.
or the hundred counties. elghty-two were
represented. our representatives who
had visited Washington reported the re-
suit of their negotiations. President
Grant had evinced a desire to eliminate
the obnoxious clauses from the Constitu-
ton. was willing 10 submit them TO
separate vote of all the qualified voters
hut expected some equivalent concessions.
These were understood to be the nomina-
ton of loyal men to fill the State Of
fices. an implied pledge. If securing the
Legislature, 10 elect senator's not Objec-
tionable to the -Ndminstrati ton. and to
run their nominees on a platform not an
tagonistic to 1t. An earnest discussion
cnsued. during which Messrs. Ould. Bald
win and John II. Edmunds advocated
withdrawal of the Withers ticket, while
Ex-Governor Smith ard General James
l.. kemper were the spokesman of the
tpposition. Baldwin and-1cdmLnds spoke
with quiet but convincing fcrce Extra
Billy grew round after round of applause
by his fiery exhortation. But the cooler
counsel prevailed. by vote of nity-
nine to twenty-three, the sIperintendenis
decided to take down their nominees. In
this decision the gentlemen affected ac-
quiesced. The resolution further advised
the Conservatives to support the ticket
known as True-Republican. Thus was
inaugurated the famous new movement
in Virginia"
For. meanwhile, other forces had been
invoked to stay the march of proscrip-
ton. Many of the original Union men
of the State had responded 10 the call OF
John r. Lewis, Franklin Stearns, Or.
Glmer. James G. Taylor and others, and
had held "a convention at Petersburg, as
True Republicans. This assembly, after
endorsing Grants policy, ETC.. and de-
nouncing the Wells ticket and PLATFORM
| called upon the people TO rally for the
| adoption of the new Constitution, minus
| the sections imposing the test-oath as a
prerequisite to suffrage. Their labors
| were concluded by nominating ticket
| Gilbert G.. Walker. for Governor; John
| f.. Lewis for Lieutenant-Govern James
| &. Taylor for Attorney-General.
The Radicals now held their conven-
ton, also In Petersburg; endorsed Wells
for the governorship, placed a negro on
the ticket as his running mate Uhis, II is
said. was the result OF shrewd machina-
ton of Malone, of which Edgar Allan
and G. w. Butt were the active agents.,
named Morris II. Chandler for Attorney
General and. of course. went on record
IA endorsing the entire Constitution. This
last is the crime for which no rarticipa-
tor ought ever to receive political absolu-
ton; for it followed that on the day when
the white people of Virginia voted en-
masse TO enfranchise the blacks, the ma
iority of the latter We're melted by Wells
to throw the bane of prescription over
the necks OF nine-tenths of the native
white population. Wells had been pro-
vost-marshal at Alexandria, was law
yer of some capacity, was correct in ms
personal habits, but calculating, unprin-
cipled and prejudiced. Chandler was
man of brilliant parts, of amable dis
position plant character and uncertain
habits. He, poor fellow, died by his own
hand not very long after Nirginia's re-
habiitation.
So the issue was joined and the can
vass opened-not propitiously at first, for
Walker, for the people were slow TO take
to the idea of an alien and stranger as
their Chief Magistrate. AT first his au-
diences were more curious than re-
sponsive He was not then an expert
enced speaker, nor did he ever acquire
the higher arts of oratory, nut he was
clear ard sensible talker had clear
grasp of his own meaning and stated II
plainly. and he had the advantage OF a
commanding presence and face striking
ly handsome In Norfolk he was al
ready popular, having resided there Tor
several years as a banker. ana won
friends by his genial manner and gener-
ous DISPOSITION. Al Petersburg, on the
way TO the Southwest. he was we'll re-
ceiyed but at Lynchburg with but half
hearted cordiality. AT Liberty came the
turning point of the opening tour. The
atmosphere was decidedly cool. but at the
critical moment Judge Wingtield came 10
the front, and in his blunt, forcible way
endorsed Walker That settled It, The
next day at Salem Bev. Douglass Joined
the team; he was then in splendid trim
and irresistible upon the stump. lie
sunnlemented perfectly Walkers graver
arguments with wit and sentiment.
Thenceforward the route of the True
Republican candidate was an ovation. lie
had every assistance that the talent and
st.yas