Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-12-03
The Conservative Convention.

What we need on the part of the members
of the Conservative Convention, is the exercise
of wisdom--the happy combination OF the high
est intelligence with prudence and discretion
directed to the accomplishment OF great and
good ends. We adopt the sentiments and Ian
guage of the Enquirer that "the Convention
ought to be extremely prudent and guarded
We want no windy defamation; we are too
nroud to lament over what is irretrievably lost
and we have no time for idle argument. The
hour calls for action, and not for speculation ;
it is no use to go back to antiquity, and glory
in the greatness Of our Fathers it is the present
with which we have to do, and its stern reali-
ties present the situation with which we have
to grapple. The illustrious body-for such it
may become bear in mind that conserva-
tism means not to uphold this party or that,
nor to bring back old customs and secure special
privileges, but to preserve the Union under the
Constitution. We have accepted the sltua-
ton and we must frankly and honorably sup
port it. Virginia is to remain for all time IN
the Union, and she must act as part OF the
Union. What she wants is to resume her place
among the sisterhood of States, to obtain her
share in the government Of the Republic, and
above all things to secure permanent peace, IN
der civil rule, to her children. Every other
consideration must give way to this first neces-
sity.
The members of the Convention will, there
fore. have to consult, not about what the pre-
sent ought to be, but on what the future can
be made We must take matters as they are
and make the most of them. To do this it will
be necessary to use the utmost caution and pru-
dence There is nothing to be gained by ap-
peals to the world, unless they are accompanied
by our own earnest efforts-the world has nc
ears for those who do not help themselves
Let US not rely too much upon promises made
by Northern allies, nor too confidently indulge
in expectations thus engendered. The late cleo
tons have been of incalculable advantage to oul
cause, but our duty is to let the North complete
the work The medicine is working admirably.
We can do nothing better than to leave it alone.
Not only the Radicals, but the whole North,
will watch our Convention, and scrutinize its
proceedings with jealous care. Every rash
word, every hasty declaration, every ebullitior
Of temper, will be carefully noted, interpreted
in the most malignant spirit, and turned as g
powerful weapon against u.s.
This does not imply by any means, that the
Convention should be inactive. God forbid !
Composed of such men as we hope to see there
inAbaod with tho epiv;t Of prudence and self
control, demanded by the necessities of our sit
uation, and acting conscientiously for the bene
fit of the whole State, it can do infinite good
The simple assertion of the right of the white
man to rule the State enounced in plain, dis
passionate words, and sent forth by the repre-
sentatives of an outraged yet calm and dignif
ed people, will have grand effect Modera
ton will command respect which no violence
of language and no pathos of feeling could evel
evoke The voice of the people, speaking with
quiet determination, will find an echo in The
hearts Of every fair and just man. And, fortu
nately for us, the race of such is not yet wholly
extinct, even at the North, but growing daily
as We see by the elections and the altered tone
Of the Northern press"