Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1858-10-09
The Convention,

It seems to have been our fate for the
last year or two to differ and divide on eve
ry question, however insignificant, which
presents itself to the democracy for decis.
ion. This has especially been the case
with the democracy Of Virginia; instead Of
seeking harmony and unity, as would seem
natural to men working in the same cause
and for the same end, every subtlety of log
ic has been employed to discover points or
which we might divide, and thus has beer
generated, out Of questions of no moment
whatever, fierce controversy ard bitter hos
tilities; and worst Of all, the party has al
lowed itself to be split on men, not priincii.
pile. 1t would not be transcending the
bounds of truth, to assert that principle has
not been involved in any one of the disputes
which have divided the democracy of Vir-
ginia. The filing of vacant seat in the
United States Senate, created an almost ir-
remediable division in our ranks, = the
choice of Governor, involved newspaper
war, the bitterest and fiercest that it has ever
been our lot to witness, and now, In fixing
upon place to hold their State Convention,
it becomes necessary for the great dcmoc-
racy of Virginia, which may well be emit
tied the "tenth legion" of the Union, to
entertain hundred different opinions, and
to support those opinions with the fercest
invective and the most miserable pickering
There seems no way left for the decision
OF this question, of sufficient Importance to
divide great party,-the Executive COM
mittee has failed to appoint place, - the
press never disagreed more widely on any
question in the history Of the party, and
the meetings of the people in different parts
of the State for this purpose, only result in
each meeting sagaciously discovering pre-
eminent merit in its own little village ; it
is obvious we will never settle upon place
in that way.
Staunton is conceded to be the place east
est of access, and most desirable in every
way, except its being situated in the district
OF one Of the most prominent aspirants to
the nomination, and consequently the dele
gates would be subject to unlawful influence.
Now we consider this as rather slur on
the good sense Of a body of men, presumed
to be the pick and elite Of Virginia. Again,
the papers which make this objection to
Staunton, generally in the same editorial
suggest Richmond as the most fitting place.
We humbly submit that in the city Of Rich
mond, the Convention would be doubly IL
able to pernicious influences this will be
obvious to the good sense of our readers
But in fact there is not shadow Of truth
in either proposition. In Staunton, we can
vouch for it, there are no influences which
could be brought to bear on the Conven-
ton, even if the delegates were obnoxious
to them, and we believe the same of Rich
mond. It is ashamed to talk of the demo-
cratic State Convention as if it's delegates
were a parcel of floating voters whose votes
could be bought for mug of lager beer:
but even this fimsy objection can be OBJ
waited by putting in operation the plan we
suggested some weeks ago, viz: to open an
informal poll at every precinct, and the
people voting on the same principle that
Presidential electors are elected, the dele
gates elected being bound by, and respon-
eible to the opinion of their constituents. -
Thus will the all-powerful. pernicious infu-
ence of Staunton, be made impotent for
harm. and the independence of the dele
gates to the Convention be placed far above
the reach Of lager beer and oysters. We
do not advocate Staunton to advance the
claims of any particular candidate, for we
verify believe that no such end can be ac-
complished, but because of the ancient
usage of the party, its accessibility to all
parts of the State, and may be, because it
is our place Of residence.
icy. Tho Gnacfstar &c rroo4lv oyoro;soJ