The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-12-22
The Conservative Party-Its tShnb-
y q - &

boletIl.
JUST three years ago the representativ
of all shades Of political sentiment in this
State in opposition to Radicalism met in
Convention in Richmond, and there, on
that occasion, formally organized the Con.
servative party, which since then has been
and is yet the only organized party IN this
State in opposition to the Radical or Repub-
kcan party. Those who were before the
speetiyely, were about equal in number IN
that part Of the State which remained as
"Virsinia :" after the dismemb berment OF
the State-there being, we believe, a small
msjority of Wings. The Conservative party
embraced alike both Democrats and Wings,
who were opposed to the Republican party.
The Convention which organized that party
was the largest and the most harmonious
which ever assembled in the State, and em.
braced the talents, patriotism, wisdom,
character, and public spirit Of both the
Democratic and Whig parties in the State.
1t presented a grand and sublime specta-
Gle. Wings and Democrats, actuated alike
by patriotic motives, met in friendly coun.
Gil in the interests of their State and in be-
half of the rights and liberties of the peo.
grave of,,oblivion, with concord and har-
nnony and unity banded themselves together
like brothers in fraternal political organi.
zation; which oil then agreed, in spirit OF
friendly compromise, should be called the
Conservative party. The object was to en-
brace in that Organization all who were op-
posed to the Republican party, whatever
their political antecedents might have been
and knowing, as wise men, chat many were
influenced by their prejudices against even
the name Of the party to which they had
been opposed, the representatives OF each
of the old parties deemed itwise, polite,
and patriotic to give up the name to which
they were partial, and adopt for the. new
Darty, name against which neither party
was prejudiced, and thus the party, com
posed OF both Wings and Democrats alike,
came to be called the Conservative party.
If this was wise then, (and we humbly
think it was,) as the same reason still ap-
plies, men being still more or less under
the influence of their prejudices-however
foolish many may deem them-We cannot
see how it can be wise or polite to discard
the name thus adopted, and substitute for
it either OF the names which it was thought
wise to give up, as neithe could strengthen,
and either might weaken the party, in con-
sequence of the prejudices against it which
many would entertain. 5.T1,. css .
We have neither 'tWhig" nor g Dem
ocratic'' party, as such, in this State, and
we have, 60 1aomine, no need for such. We
have party organization which embraces
the members of both, and all others,
if any there be, who are opposed to
the Radical or Republican party. y The
time may come, but it has not yet arrived,
when it may be wise to reorganize our
party in this, State and call it by another
name. The defeat Of the Radical party is
the object which patriotic duty now de-
mands that we should use all. honorable. and
just means to accomplish. And to do this,
we hope to see united, in opposition to that
party, former Wings and Democrats and a
portion of the present dissatisfied Republi-
cans; for we must look to the best portion
Of the Republican party for recruits. The
.saibboleth OF our party should be: "Oppo-
will unite with us in opposition to that
party should rbe welcomed to our party.
Let the invitation be general and the wei
come cordial Staunton Spectator.