Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-05-04
The Conservative Convention.


feel in the proceedings of the Conservative
Convention which assembled in Richmond on
Wednesday last, we devote large portion of
our space this week to their publication. AS
this was the only body which could speak au-
thoritatively for the Conservative party OF this
State its utterance was awaited with deep anx-
iety. The result of its deliberations, it was
felt, would inspire hope or induce dependency
1t was necessary that it should recommend a
policy which all conservatives could adopt with
out promising their principles, as it is alb
soutely necessary that no divisions should ex-
list in the party. Upon the united action of all
the conservatives depends the salvation OF our
State from ruin and its citizens from woes I'M
numbered.
The object to be accomplished, if possible,
BY the Convention, was to recommend line OF
action which would enable the Conservatives to
act together, without any compromise OF prln-
ciple, in their patriotic efforts to save the State
from the ruin which would result from the rat
ifcation of the unmodfed Underwood Constr
tuition. The candidates on the Conservative
ticket having resigned, and their designations
having been accepted, the Convention declined
to nominate another Conservative ticket, and
declined to endorse either of the other tickets,
leaving each and every Conservative In the
State free of all party obligations to vote for
one or the other or neither, and only enioined
upon them the duty which all should with a
lacrity perform, of voting against the obnoxious
clauses of the Constitution which will be SUBJ
mitted to a separate vote, without recommend
ing them to vote for or against the Constitu-
ton thus modified. In party Technology, this
platform" is broad enough to afford standing
room for every Conservative in the State, as
we'll as for ''any other man. white or colored
who does not wish to see ninety of every hun
dred of the native whites of the State denied
eligibility to office. 1t is a platform upon which
all should stand without regard to color or pre-
yious political affiliations. The man who will
not vote to strike out the obnoxious clauses of
the Constitution which will be submitted to a
separate vote should be ostracised from society
and prescribed in business, for he is declared
enemy of the people among whom he lives, and
proclaims it by such vote as efectually as he
would do by brandishing the warriors sword or
the incendiary's torch.
The Convention did, in our opinion, the
wisest thing it could have done an the ctrcana-
stances by acaich 1t i0as surrounded 1t did
enough and not too much All lament the cir
cumstances which made it unwise to do more.
We should have liked to see the chosen leaders
and worthy standard bearers of the Conserva-
tive party remain in the field, and deeply re-
gret the existence of circumstances which made
it patriotic duty for them to resign the posi-
tons assigned them. They won honor by the
gallant and efficient service they rendered In
the canvass they prosecuted with such zeal and
vigor and added browning glory to it by the
manner in which they resigned their positions
in obedience to the dictates of patriotic duty.
Such patriotic and self sacrificing conduct de-
serves to be rewarded, and we hope the time
will arrive when it will be. They merit the
award swell done, good and faithful SER
wants.
We would earnestly invoke the Conservatives
of the State to guard sedulously against what
we conceive now to be our greatest danger
listless indifference and want of proper APP
probation of the fact that it is absolutely nee
essary that all who can do so should attend the
polls on the day of election and vote, and that
those who have not registered should do so as
soon as the registration books shall be again
opened, and be sure to vote.
None should fail to vote at the next election.
Cast your votes then, if you never vote again.
The man who shall fail to vote then, will prob
ably have cause to regret it as long as he shall
live, and his children, who will be the suffering
victims of his remissness, will curse his memo
ry. Do your duty-REGIsTER AND VOTE.