The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-12-18
The Conservative Convention.

The Conservative Convention.
The proceedings of the CONSERVATIVE
CONVENTION, including the speeches of Hon.
A. Fl. Stuart aud r. Nj. I. Hunter, are pub
lished in another column. 1t was signii-
cant gathering Of the Conservative wisdom
and influence and spirit of the Old Dominion
well worthy of her past glorious history. It
means that the descendants of the men who
made illustrious the Virginia of other days,
are sternly resolved chat the goodly heritage,
shall not pass to the spoiler without at least
one more manly struggle : it shows that there
is life In the old land yet. p ssfes lsl
The number Of delegates in attendance
reached near one thousand. Almost every
single county in the State was represented
The pcrsoaa of the delegations was of the
very highest type: the wisest and best men
of the whole State such as the people are
won't to look to, and to rely upon in times Of
real Importance; no mere gathering of poll
ticians to advance the comparatively petty
interests Of party, but the men whose bands
and hearts comprehended the true interests
and welfare Of the whole Commonwealth: 4
The very organization of the Convention
illustrated its character. The selection for its
presiding officers Of such men as A. III. Ell.
Stuart, r. M. 7 Hunter, s. Med. Moore, 7.
S. Bocock, Flournoy, Newton and others, men
known to the entire country as statesmen and
patriots, was significant Of selemnly earnest
work. Andthe department OF the whole body
throughout its entire proceedings was most
remarkable in such. a large number-for its
dignity aud courtesy and genteel demeanor,
all indicative ofasrue appreciation of the high
andimportant duty, andthe critical character
Of the occasion for which they had assembled,
No yainglorlous Or empty harangulngg such
as too often marks voluntary popular gather
ings-no mere aimless declaration was for an
instant tolerated. And although there was
felt and manifested deep yearning to hear
the eloquent and sage counsels of their old
leaders present, still that feeling was repress5
ed ani all remained satisfied with the wisdom
Of the significant speech of ex-Gov. sLetcher,
who in answer TO earnest calls simply said =:
"a stu tongue marks ,rise head
The resolutions passedwere short aud per-
tincnt but positiveand sufficient. They mani
fest the calm and cool spirit of mon who know
their'rights, aud knowing dlre maintain them.
They are at the same time, just to all and re-
sponsiye. to allsths abligatiens.ofg good citizen
ship The address prepared by the
very able Committee appointed for that pt.r-
pose viii doubtless be distinguished BY tic
same characteristics. The organization adopt
ed, is the same thai was inaug u1~>.eed in Au-
gusta ceur ,fandsis now working 50 well here:
twill ensure the registration and voting Of ev-
cry conservative citizen Of Virginia at the next
election, and permit no. more fatal dsrelic-
TONS Of g solemn and patriotic duty 20
The assanblage and action Of such a Con
vention can but result in great good-both in
its effect upon our own people, and upon those
just.and patriotic people in the North, who
are now striving IN ourzinterests, and in the
interests of a commons humanity against the
mad, frenMed aud malicious spirit Of revenge
and hatewhich would crush US while helpless,
to the earth. Let US all then take hope and
courage, and press on calmly and firmly, heep-
ing the touch Of the ez5oee,D aud make this
ore more manly effort IN The cause Of sheer
justice and right, and to enhance the common
ghry Of our now common country. ~ ssssss58al
\ e-7---z===77s - 49, = f.gfs
The Natiasi. So. 40
N 1T is.a remarkable ffact that, since the war
tsparties have stopped. the use Of the word
"Uuion, Z and speak of the United States as
sNations' The Union humbug55 has been
dropped. The great american mind recog-
nizos the fast and the press has adopted i =.
1t -dispords the spsrtizan clapstrap efthe past
and settles on sa comprcaensivcword, the new
idea, qHiE NATION This is but ono Of the
many indications Of returning good sense on
the part Of the people, especially the North
ern portion It means that this is a mAite
ma,s's nation s.one and indivisaAle,s and that
the white masses intend TO see that it is SO
maintained, all over "the Nation" regardless
Of the Jackal cries Of fanatics, and the ssfoel-
ishness' Of negroes, who aspire to leadership
in tlle Southern States. The Nation, word
Of hone It cnbodics the idea of the sober