Committee of Nine facts for kids
The Committee of Nine was a group of important leaders in Virginia right after the American Civil War. They were led by Alexander Hugh Holmes Stuart. After the war, Virginia needed to create a new state constitution. This new constitution had to say that slavery was against the law. It also had to be approved before Virginia could rejoin the Union.
The Committee of Nine worked hard to make sure people voted on the new constitution in a special way. They wanted two separate votes. One vote was for the new constitution itself. The other vote was for rules that would stop former Confederate soldiers from voting or holding office. The constitution was approved easily. But the rules about voting rights for former Confederates were defeated.
Contents
Why a New Constitution Was Needed
After the American Civil War, the U.S. Congress passed new laws called the Reconstruction Acts. These laws helped states that had left the Union rejoin it. They also made sure that newly freed slaves had more rights.
Virginia's old constitution from 1850 allowed slavery. Since slavery was now illegal, Virginia needed a new constitution. Also, the people who wrote an earlier draft in 1864 didn't represent everyone in the state. So, a new constitution was needed to end military rule in Virginia.
The "Underwood Constitution"
In 1867, a special meeting was held to write this new constitution. Many former Confederate leaders were not allowed to vote for the people at this meeting. Some chose not to vote. This meeting included African-American delegates and a judge named John Curtiss Underwood. He was against slavery.
The meeting started in December 1867. Newspapers and conservative leaders in Virginia, like Alexander Hugh Holmes Stuart, began to criticize it. They especially didn't like the African-American members.
Even so, the meeting continued. It did include some former Confederates. They talked about how the state government should work. They also discussed voting rules and who could hold office. They also talked about social policies.
In April 1868, the meeting approved a draft constitution. This draft was called the "Underwood Constitution." It suggested "free schools for both races, equal rights, and changes to local government."
Controversial Rules for Former Confederates
The "Underwood Constitution" also had very strict rules about former Confederates. These rules were not popular. Because of this, the military leader in Virginia, General John Schofield, and later President-elect Ulysses S. Grant, delayed the vote. The vote was delayed for more than a year.
By late 1868, Virginia's Republican party was divided. Some Republicans didn't like the anti-Confederate rules. Governor Henry H. Wells thought that if these rules were removed, Union supporters in Virginia would be in danger.
How the Committee of Nine Started
Alexander Hugh Holmes Stuart wanted to get rid of the rules that stopped former Confederates from voting. He thought these rules were unfair. Stuart wrote a letter to share his ideas and objections. He wanted everyone to be forgiven (universal amnesty). He also wanted a new constitution without the harsh rules.
His letter was published in Richmond newspapers. He used the fake name "Senex." Stuart later explained that he wrote the letter to warn people about the dangers. He wanted people to work together to change the constitution. He hoped that if everyone could vote, then everyone could also be forgiven.
Forming the Committee of Nine
Some people didn't like Stuart's letter. But many moderate Virginians liked his plan. These Virginians met in Richmond on December 31, 1868, and January 1, 1869. Their meetings led to the creation of the Committee of Nine.
Alexander Hugh Holmes Stuart became the chairman. The committee had nine members. Their goal was to go to Washington, D.C. They wanted to tell leaders there that they didn't like the "Underwood Constitution."
The committee wanted two separate votes. One vote would be for the new state constitution. The other vote would be for the rules that stopped former Confederates from voting.
Campaigning in Washington
One member, John L. Marye, suggested that Stuart invite Gilbert C. Walker to help. Walker was from the North and a Republican. He could help the committee get support in Washington. Walker did help the committee gain sympathy in the North. A Republican newspaper, the New York Tribune, also supported their cause.
The Committee of Nine stayed in Washington for about two weeks. They met with many members of Congress. They also spoke to committees in both the House and the Senate.
Even though Governor Wells tried to stop them, Congress agreed to separate the votes. However, to rejoin the Union, Virginia also had to approve the Fifteenth Amendment. This amendment gave African-American men the right to vote.
President Grant and the 1869 Election
President-elect Ulysses S. Grant met with the Committee of Nine. He seemed to agree with their goals.
Grant became president on March 4, 1869. On May 14, 1869, President Grant made an important announcement. It allowed a separate vote for the rules that restricted former Confederates. This meant the committee achieved its main goal.
Some Republicans, like Governor Wells, wanted the vote to happen as the convention had planned. They worried that separate votes would mean the anti-Confederate rules would fail. This would allow conservatives to regain power in the state.
In March 1869, Virginia Republicans met to choose candidates for the state elections. Moderate Republicans, sometimes called "Stearns Republicans," nominated Gilbert C. Walker. He was a former businessman from the North.
The moderate Republicans and the Conservatives worked together. This alliance helped Gilbert C. Walker win the election for Governor in 1869.
Even though some members of Congress still had strong anti-Confederate views, Virginia was allowed to rejoin the Union. This happened on January 26, 1870. The parts of the new constitution that were not about former Confederates passed easily. Virginia's new Governor, Gilbert C. Walker, signed a letter announcing that Virginia was back in the Union.
Committee Members
- Alexander Hugh Holmes Stuart, chairman
- As chairman, Stuart led the meetings with federal lawmakers. He also publicly explained why the committee objected to the "Underwood Constitution."
- John Brown Baldwin, of Staunton
- Colonel Baldwin presented the committee's ideas to the House and Senate. He also wrote a paper for the Senate Judiciary Committee. This paper explained the changes the Committee of Nine wanted. Stuart said Baldwin was "the most conspicuous member of the committee."
- William T. Sutherlin, of Danville
- Colonel Sutherlin joined Stuart at the Exchange Hotel meeting. He promised to work with the committee. He also helped publish the "Senex" articles in the Richmond Whig newspaper.
- James F. Johnston, of Bedford County
- John L. Marye, of Fredericksburg
- James Neeson, of Richmond
- William L. Owen, of Halifax County
- Wyndham Robertson, of Washington County
- J. F. Slaughter, of Lynchburg
