The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-09-28
ORGANIZATION.


the most superficial understanding While
We are in favor of organization, and shall
unite even in assisting to perfect 1t under
the present plan, we take the liberty of re-
cording our dissent from the machinery by
which the organization is proposed to be et-
iected, and the entire plan with which it is
designed to harmonize it, In the present
temper of the people with respect to party
polity, we do not think moro successful
mode could have been adopted to dlsintregate
the party and insure the defeat Of the Con-
yention nominees than that which has been
thrust upon the people. The system OF tens
and '6fties,' headed by their chiefs, is so re-
pulsve to the popular idea of individual lib
erty and the freedom Of personal action as to
guarantee that not more than one fourth OF
the strength of the party can be coneentrat
ed in it. The idea that what is called chief
of teu,' and chief of fifty can say to those
men that you must do as you are bidden-
that YOU must obey the orders given with
military exactress-that you must merge
your individuality into an aggregate, and
subordinate your honest convictions to the
dicta of those with whom you have never
agreed, and cannot, from your education and
mental organism, agree, is step towards the
despotic, so radically in conflict with person
al independence that it canaot, in the very
nature of things, meet with general approval.
The shallow appreciation Of the character OF
our people, conveyed in this military plan
the utter misconception of the temper and
tendency of the popular will, VIC regard as
capital bluuder. The whole machinery IS
grating, tantalzing and imperious. 1t Is
significantly inharmonious with the popular
instinct, and in contraventiou Of the funda-
mental theory Of our political institutions.
The proper mode Of procedure to have III
sured unity, harmony, and practical, effective
results. would have been primary elections
IF each aspirapt for the Legislature, IN either
branch, had announced himself, and prln'a-
~ election, the expenses Of which to be borne
by the candidates themselves, been ordered,
fair expression Of popular preference could
have been attained, and no room left for dis,
satisfaction, or excuse offered for the multi
Dlication of candidates. Each mans status
before the people, would have been made ap-
parent, and the regular election passed of
smoothly, and without the possibility of di-
vision of the Conservative party, The plan
of organization, however, by strong impiica
tion, forbids this. It provides that "thcre
shall be nominating convention with a
harshness and an arbitrary assumption Of pow
er over the people as complete and as imperi
Gus, as though they were the abject subjects
of Russian Gear. We can scarcely write
the sentence without feeling Jingle Of in
digrant Impotence.
THIS primary .electieHs-has been
adopted in Frederick Clark aad Warren, and
will be adopted in various counties in South
west Virginia, Notwithstanding the impera-
tive command of the ''plan."
Having expressed our dissent from pol
icy, and our conviction of the impracticabili-
ty Of ahe machinery by which it is proposed
to unite the Conservative party Of Virgins
in the November election, we now come te
the point of yielding our repugaance to the
whole scheme, and declaring our purpose te
dc all we can to make the best out of the ex-
isting condition. of affairs. We shall combine
Our efforts with others of the Conservative
party, to effect a full and complete organiza
ton, with view to accomplishing an over.
whelmming result.
We desire to see this organization eventu
ate in fair nominating convention, repre-
senting the popular will of the county, for the
purpose of carrying out that will IN the pre-
aeatation of representative men as candidates
for the Senate and House of Delegates. We
shall 90 into this canvass in no spirit of cap
tiousness, but with a firm determination and
an ardent desire to have the people fairly
represented in the selections made.
Il is idle to conceal the fact that the peo-
pie are suspicious of conventions. They have
heretofore been manipulated and controlled by
the few for the governmental the many. We
want convention where the sentiment and
wish of the people will 6ud full utterancc-
where the lotteries which hang around the
corners and the Court House, and which have
too frequently managed to determine results
in which the whole people are involved, to
their own liking and in the interest Of par
tcular individuals, will know that the majesty
Of the popular will must End voice.
I'VE do not believe that any convention o.
the people can by any possible means be or
ganized under this plan Of "tens" and elf
ties" SO violently are they opposed to the i'm
plieation that their liberties ere to be inva'
ded thereby, but we will iudustriously work
10 attain that end, with view to harmony
IN the conservative ranks. But, if .ccnMen-
ton assemblies, it must be Of the people. Ne
are of them and for them. Labor has beer
our avocation from early boyhood to the
present time; and we would be untrue to in
stinct. education and conviction of right
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