The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-07-27

Meeting Of the State Conservative COM
mittec.
The State Central Conservative Committee,
i'll response to the call Of the Resident Cons
mittee, met at the Exchange Hotel, Richmond,
on the 20th After harmonious and inter-
esting session, the following resolutions were
adopted: e
Resolved, 1. That it is expcdient to hold
convention of the Conservative party OF
Virginia on the Both day Of August next IN
the city Of Richmond
g. That the convention will be composed
of delegates, one from each township in the
counties and one from each ward in the cities
in the State, to be chosen by the Conserya-
tive voters therein, or by the counties re-
specially assembled at their courthouses, as
may be preferred.
| 3 That the purpose of this convention is
the re organization Of the Conservative party
Of the State under the sanction OF popular
approval and authority. The elections for
the Legislature in November render this
n. easure necessary. The political needs Of
the party no less require it.
| 4 That in view Of the Importance Of the
occasion it is earnestly hoped that delegates
will be chose for the convention who are
recommended by character and influence to
the confidence and support Of the people.
Address to the Conservative Voters Of Va.
| It will be seen by the published proceed
| ings of the State Conservative Committee
that thorough reorganization Of the party.
under popular sanction and approval, is deem
ed essential to its interest There has been
no convention of'the party since 1857. The
organization then instituted springing d.
rectly from the people-did its work success
fully in the memorable contest of 1862
Subsequently, it was superseded BY a fresh
delegation Of authority from the Conservative
members of the Legislature. 1t is sufficient
to say that, under the new plan thus inaueura-
ted, whether from inherent defects or causes
which have supervened, the influence Of the
central authority has been measurably impair.
cd. It is felt that recurrence to the or.gi-
nal source of authority is necessary, harmon
izing with Republican usage, and, it is be-
lieved, with the popular wish. A closer and
more thorough discipline than now prevails
is required to save the party from some evils
which distract and weaken it, and which, if
unchecked, threaten it with serious disaster.
Chief among these is the growing prevalence
of what are termed "Independeat''' candidates
men who, protesting to belong to the Con-
servative party, throw themselves, whenever
chance for Office offers, in opposition to its
nominations, divide its ranks, coaesce with
the adversary, and often eAectualy destroy
its organization. Measures of thorough re-
form in this respect will doubtless proceed
from the Convention which will assemble in
August. They will 60 out with the stamp Of
it's approval, and meet everywhere, it is be-
lievcd, with cheerful acceptance and ready
obedience.
The Legislature which will be elected un-
der the auspices of this Convention may meet
a crisis in the fortunes of our people which
will demand all its ssgacity. courage, and re-
sources. We are not left to doubt by the leg
islation of Congress and the recent conduct
Of the President that the party in power does
not mean to resign it if it can be retained by
fraud or force, still less if it can be kept by
tramplins on the southern people. The slight
geam of PREF: dental favor which enabled us to
vote down the DISTINGUISHING clauses in the
State Constitution was speedily withdrawn.
Ever since, we have lain under the sullen
frown Of power. Never since, have we re-
ceived from Congress or from the President
one sign of Cancellation, encouragement, or
cheer. But measures Of repression, test
oaths and political exclusion have pursued us,
in the dreary, vulgar routine in which tyran-
| ny, inventing nothing new, repeats itself the
world over The laws which clothe the Pres
vaguely defined to be Ineligible, to invade
the southern States, to suspend the AaJeas
corpus, and employ the army and navy against
their unhappy people, were passed at his per-
sonal solicitation, after Congress had express :
ed its sense that no more political legislation
was required by the state of the country, and
was about to adjourn. He declares now, 10
formal proclamation, that these laws are of
extraordinary Importance y that although
they are Of general application in their terms
'sthe necessity therefor is we'll known to have
been caused chiefly by persistent violations of
the rights of citizens Of the United States by
combinations of lawless and disaffectcd per-
sons in certain localities, lately the theatre of
iusurrection and military conflict" and not
hating at their extraordinary or doubtful
character, he declares "that he will not hesi-
tate to erhaust the powers thus vested in the
Executive whenever and wherever it may be
necessary to do So" Thus has this official,
armed with power by subseryient Congress,
declared war against large body Of Amcri-
can people, and forced them to know him
hereafter only as their enemy.
In the recently-enacted law purporting to
enforce the fourteenth amendment "and for
other purposes" and in that commonly known
as the election or enforcement law there are
laid numberless traps and snares for the Ut
wary southern citizens who ventures to cast
his vote or use his personal influence against
the candidates who stand forth to support
these abuses. Vague and indefinite enact
actments, not specifying overt acts: but mat
tiers, merely Of construction and opinion expose
him to criminal charges laid by the worthless
and irresponsible, upon which he may be
hurried away from home, imprisoned, and
made the subject of merciless cxaction before
he can regain his liberty. These expressions
are already familiar id our experience. They
will be repeated until they make suffrage and
| cv,I