The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-08-16
From the Petersburg Courier.
What Are We?

We are Conservatives. And we arc not
Democrats. We are not Democrats because
the Democratic party is national one, con-
cerned about national affairs, while we are
not yet ready to participate fully, If at all,
in matters so general, when we have our
own particular interests to look after and
conserve. TO be Democrats, really and
truly. would be to consent to subordinate
our Immediate and local welfare TO qucs-
tions of Federal politics-a course we can
not pursue while we are III mortal struS-
Gle, as it were, for bare political existence.
Ourselves and Virginia first; Others and
other things afterwards. This Isl necessity
of our situation. We have Il foe here hat
requires all our skill and strength, and
until we utterly defeat and diSpcrse this
enemy, we cannot afford to enter into an
alliance from which we could derive
no benefit in our internal difficulties, and
which would be sure to weaken us here,
| if not elsewhere, in the very crisis OF our
| fate. Nor, indeed, is it at all likely that our
alliance with the Democracy, under exist
| ing circumstances, would in any degree as
| sist and reinforce that party. We would,
probably, only embarrasS and cucumber 1t.
As it is clear that we are not Democrats,
it is equally clear that honesty should re-
strain Us from assuming name to which
we have no title except that of sympathy.
But, beyond this, to become Democrats
now, or to affect to change the Conservative
party of Virginia into Il Democratic corps
of the national organization, would be TO
hazard all that we have now and all that we
hope. even If our certain political rum
would not he the direct consequence. All
men, TO some extent, are the creatures OF
prejudice; and no prejudices are more
strong and enduring than those that cluster
and tester about party names ana memories.
The name of Democrats hateful 10 the he
publicans; it is q name of terror to the
freedmen; in old wings IL arouses tne an
cicnt spirit of deathlesS opposition While
Young Virginia hears it with mingled feel
mos Of diStrust and contempt. Shall we
risk the effects Of all this merely to please the
Democrats Are the Democrats themselves
ready. on q cool survey Of the situation, to
incur the dangers incident to the adoption
of a name 50 odious to so great 4 variety Of
people? Shall we sacrifice, or even risk,
our present harmony and consequent
strength TO name! NO; never
On the other hand, we are Conservatives,
and should so designate ourselves. The name
| Conservative, too, is one Of compromise and
cancellation. 1t awakens no old passions
nor prejudices. Even to Republicans and
freedmen there is nothing repusiye i'll the
sound. Experience has shown that under
this name Democrats, Wings, Republicans,
and freedmen, can cordially unite to redeem
the State. 1t may be that this coalition of
| diverse names and elements will one day
| become Democratic i'll party political
/ sense; but it is not so now, and therefore
every consideration of policy and honesty
should urge us to repudiate the title until
we become Democrats, and can afford (hav-
| ing happily settled our home affairs on q
safe basis) to enter the Federal arena as
such.