Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-12-03

FRIDAY MoRNIN C; lIc. 8, 1io.
The Republican party held convention
in Richmond last week. which eonalad H.

oonIuslon and dlablerle the palniest days Of
the Black Crook Convention. The burden
Of Their song was exhibited in the majority
report Of the committee on resolutions. in
which they denounco the separate vote on
the test-oath and DISTINGUISHING clauses as
Tic cause Of their late defeat in the State, if
not the sum Of all their woes. They en-
deayor to show that the colored vote Of the
State was most terribly intimidated, and de-
clare the late Legislature an illegal body.
They express desire for the carly admission
OF the State into the Union, but in the next
breath give the lie direct to this by depreca-
ting and opposing its admission under its
present constitution and government, and
show the reason thereof, viz: a longing for
the loayes and fishes, in the following choice
extract:
"We would most respectfully ask that
your honorable body (Congrcss) guarantee
republican form Of government to Virginia,
either by ordering new election and by sub
uniting the whole constitution to vote of
the people, or by requiring the test-oath Of
the members Of the Legislature, and award
ing the seats Of those who cannot take it, to
those eligible opponents who received the
next highest vote, where the circumstances
show that the electors must have known that
they were casting their votes for Ineligible
candidates. In the event of a new election,
ne would ask for q military force sufficient
to protect US in our political and civil rights.
A minority report was also presented and
read, after much jangling, which acknowl
edges the constitution to be thoroughly Re-
publican, expresses q slight fear for the fu-
ture under it, but on account of the good
OF the State and welfare Of all classes of her
citizens, asks for the early admission Of the
State under her new constitution, and in
strict accordance with the Reconstruction
acts
After a spirited discussion the majority
report was adopted.
1t was thought this would produce split
in the convention, which did not then occur,
Dub Was uc16FTtu UuC II lew
The appointment of State Central Com
lnittae was taken up and Mr. Platte nomi-
mated Gen Williams G. Wickham as chair
man. Chas. Ell. Porter and DR.. W. w.
Douglas were also put in nomination. Sew
eral speeches were made in favor of Porter
and Douglass, but when Mr.. Platte was
about to rise in behalf of Gen. Wickham,
he was cut off by "thc previous question, "
when he and Messrs Jenkins, Fritz, Shu
maker, Hitcher, Freeman. Goodall, Wins
ton, Carr, Clements, jackson, Haskell,
Iickok, Bland, Dutrow, Maupin, Wood,
southall, Morgan, Baldwin, Rosolle and
others left the Hall.
Porter was then elected chairman and a
full Central Committee appointed, many Of
whom, however, are among the scceders
On the next day, the seccders, embracing,
in the main, the brain and responsibility Of
the Republican party in the State, held a
meeting and also appointed a full Central
Committee, with Gen. Wickham as chair
man.
1t would thus seem that the party, badly
beaten in the late election, is now irrevoea-
bly, split.
The organ of the Republican party, The
State Journal, thus comments on the two
factions:
''The meeting to-day (of the bolters) is
the emancipation of the Republican party Of
Virginia from the rule Of a mob. It is
declaration in favor of decency, order, re-
spectability and patriotism. 1t is the appeal
Of character and sincerity against all that
was selfish, disreputable and indecent in the
party We have been packing a great load
Tor years The load has dropped itself off
our back, has taken legs and walked away
into the mud and mire, Riding us Of q crush
ing cncumbrance
And of the Potter wing
''This class Of men, chief among WHOM,
are Porter, Bayne, Maddox, and Norton,
laid pipes to get control of the convention
just held, and to run it in the interests Of
Of clique rather than for the advantage of
the Republican party Of the State. They
took possession Of the convention. stGed
debate, and crushed out all moderate scnti-
ment.
Well, it has happened we'll. They have
run their shebang into the ground. They
have illustrated the art of sinking in politics.
They have done for the men who have been
dupes enough to follow their lead what the
evil spirits did in Gafilec, when they Gu
tered herd and the herd ran violently down
a steep hill into the sea and persisted.
They have formed close corporation Of
their Own, little pet pandemonium, and
nothing more will be heard of them in the
politics Of the State. They will 90 down
like heavy plummct to nothingncss and
obscurity, We trust that the press will let
them severely alone. Let them enjoy their
triumph in utter oblivion and seclusion-
There mot enough brains in the faction to
keep it alive fora month They have not,
altogether, enough gumption to set trap for
snow-bird. Their policy is cut throat, and
the throat in danger is their own; a party
made up of experts in the art of suicide.
The times has been,
That when the brains We're ont, the man would
And there an end.
So we have an end of Porter, and Bayne,
and Norton
The National Board of Trade conye ned in
Richmond Tuesday. Delegates were in at
tendance from the Boards OF New York.
Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, St. Louis.
louisville, Baltimore, Cincinnati and other
cities
The elections on the State Constitutions
IN Mississippi and Texas commenced on