Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-04-20
Necessity of Concert.

our Virginia exchanges different sentiments are
expressed as to the proper course to be taken
just now by the Conservative party. Some OF
them are very dogmatical in one direction
others equally so in the opposite direction.
| Yet neither the one nor the other have seen the
proclamation of the President ordering an cleo
ton neither the one nor the other have heard
the views of the Conservative Convention called
to meet in Richmond on the 2Sth instant 1t
does seem to US that undeEsuch circumstances
it is not prudent to commit ones self too posi-
lively. Is it not time enough to be thoroughly
decided after seeing precisely what the PROPOSE
ton is, and secondly, learning what the high
est authority in the premises thinks?
| The Conservative party 10 Virginia this
is the burden of this articles nothing, divid-
ed. United we can say our say, and execute
what we say but for one-half of the party to
be vapouring over one road and the other half
| over another, is simply matter for laughter
The pro- Walker paper can do nothing without
| the anti Walker paper, and the anti Walker
paper can do nothing without the pro- Walker
paper They are aiming. we assume, at com
mon general end. They differ as to methods.
| Now it does appear to us that discipline is
the first point to be settled in this natter If
the division commanders, or any private soldier,
is to follow has ideas ofthe campaign, regardless
| of what is determined by the council of war; we
shall indeed have delightful time of it. We
desire to see the Conservative party deliver q
| btoir, and we know that the army must be
animated by one central and common purpose
to strike that blow. We expect to have our
own well-defned opinion as to the direction
| which is to be given to that blow, when we shall
have seen the order or proclamation Oh the
President. But what are we? or what is our
opinion? Suppose those who are entitled to
rule the Conservative party decide on marching
our forces in another direction, and assailing a
different point, must we not cheerfully obey the
word of command, and fight, as we are ordered
to fight? Without such organization and dis
cipline parties no better thar militia-not so
good, for even militia have their officers and
profess to follow certain rules of discipline. We
are just as jealous of party tyranny as most
persons, and there are occasions when weshould
revolt; but under ordinary conditions party,
| to effect anything must be welded as a unit,
| and act like machine q
1t is the sheerest folly, embarrasseda as we are
at this moment in this State, to be tolerating
ranks. We cannot afford 1t. And it must not
be. We all want Wells beaten-thatis certain.
And that is the first point. Hosc to beat him,
and aoith aclsons to beat him, is the second point
and OILY the second point. We all dislike
| the Underwood constitution. Some say vote it
down as a whole. Others say expurgate it of
some of the Objectionable features. Those say
we can vote it down; these say and to what
good end? Those say take the chances after
wards; these say the best chance is to expurgate
| it and get in the Union, and get the control of
our own affairs. Well, who shall decide? or
shall we organize taoo Conservative parties On
these issues? Now would not that be bright?
Fighting each other, and Wells whipping both
of us in detail. But you must give way, says
the Withers Conservative; but you must give
way, says the Grant Conservative. And both
say have taken my ground, and mean to
| hold it.
1t is idle to deny that there are two opinions
on this question Of policy in the Conservative
party and one Of these opinions has got to be
surrendered. Which shall it be- that's the
question. And who shall pronounce Judgment?
Let US suppose for courtesy's sake, that the
party is equally divided on this issue; then who
shall fix the policy of the campaign? Obvious
| ly the Convention which is to assemble in Rich
mond city on the 28th of this month And
what that meeting determines ne must do
march either to the right or the left, as they
direct 1t is the convention of the members Of the
| State Executive Committee (some thirty-fve
| of the most prominent citizens ofthe Statel and
the Superintendent of the organization in the
| Countics-some one hundred more prominent
citizens. If there is not wisdom enough in this
body to decide the points in question no con-
vention can be trusted.
Now it may be. probably will be, that this
body of representative men, chosen for such an
emergency, will exhibit considerable unanimity
of sentiment--we hope, at least. that such will
be the case. And in that event the course of
every conservative paper, and every conserva-
tive voter, ought at once to be determined
But if our papers are printing now in advance
violent committals one way or the other, will
they not be embarrassed if their policy shall be
discarded by the convention? Now we do In
| sist that the conservative press shall exhibit
rational spirit in this matter.
Do you wish to be eligible to Office? IF so,
| REG C'TER AND VOTE
Bold Robbery Of Hogs.
Last week two negroes drove off all the hogs
| belonging to an old man named johnson, living