Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-01-15
For the Vindicator.
Congressional Convention.

MEssRs EDIToRs The idea obtains
among some of our democratic friends 0
this Congressional District that, it viii moi
be necessary or desirable to hold Ccnven
ton for the purpose Of nominating a candid
ate for Congress- This, however, we are
satisfied, is not the prevailing opinion Of The
democracy Of The district. We have mo-
heard any sufficient reason advanced to in
duce departure from the established usage
of the party IN such cases. On the othe
hand we see the most forcible reasons fo
adhering to precedent, in order to place
the success Of the party beyond a peradyen.
ture. There has probably never been g
period in the history Of the country wher
more depended upon the success Of our par
ty:: 1t is the only remaining national ant
conservative organization in which the whole
people Of the confederacy can unite, and
which has the power to maintain the Union.
This and other reasons, which space will
not allow US to recite, besides the'importance
Of maintaining in the ascendant democratic
principles, are amply sufficient to induce
every rejecting democrat to yield to the
nomination Of democratic convention.
Without convention, it is almost certain
that there will be several democratic candi-
dates in the field, with nearly if not quite
equal claims upon the party, who will divide
the vote, and thereby make the election Of
Know Nothing certain. It's utterly idle
to indulge hope that there will be no oppo-
nent. IF the opposition heretofore thought
it desirable to oppose Mr. Letcher, when
there was no hope of success, how much
more zealously and certainly would they
oppose the party divided. The plan which
some suggest, of withdrawing all the can
didates but one, if the opposition bring out
q candidate, will be found in its execution
wholly impracticable. If we cannot now,
while all are calm and unprejudieed, enter
into convention and select a suitable can
didate. much less, after an excitement and
probably personal hatred has sprung up and
embittered the friends of the respective as
pirants, can all but one be withdrawn upon
the eve Of the election, by mutual consent.
Who are to be withdrawn? Who is to be
the fortunate one left on the track? Every
aspirant and his friends may think his chan
ces and claims the best, and expect others
to retire and thus the race will be lost
United we stand, divided we fall. Besides
our subtle Know Nothing enemy declare
they have not abandoned their principles
and it is fair to conclude that they will adj
here to their practices, SO that they may
arrange it secretly in all their lodges, II
the district, to vote for X. n, without
making any public announcement until the
day Of election
Looking beyond the present contest, there
is reason to believe, that if we have no con
vention that the discipline Of the party viii
be destroyed. The party divided into i'm
Filtered and revengeful factions, which may
never be united and lead to the overthrow
Of the party in the district. There are 9th
er important considerations which may be
urged but space will not allow. Let u
have a convention and be certain of success
UNION.
~ Democratic papers Of the Distric
please copy