Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-07-25
Staunto1t Spettator.
Tuesday, JaGly 25, 1871.

We surrender our editorial space this week
to the publication of the resolutions and ad-
dress adopted by the State Committee of the
Conservative party of this State in their meet
ing in Richmond on Thursday last. 1t will be
observed that, for the purpose of recognizing
the Conservative party of this State under pop
lar sanction and approval, the State Commit
tee deem it expedent to hold Convention of
the Conservative party of Virginia on the 30th
of August next in the city of Richmond.
We hope that every county in the State will
Immediately take the proper steps to be repre-
sented in that Convention by delegates, who,
in the language of the 4th resolution, ARE
recommended by character and influence to the
confidence and support of the people" 1t is
of pre-eminent Importance that the Conserva-
tives should carry the State in the elections In
November next, and to accomplish this impor-
tant object it is absolutely necessary that the
party should adopt the best practicable system
of organization Unless this be done, and the
members of the party generally act In good
faith, the State will be lost, and that great
danger foreverimpending, forever threatening,
alluded to in the address, will fall with crush
ing weight upon it. In that event, it would
then be too late to bewail the folly, and to re-
pent the remissness which brought such sad
fate to our beloved State. Those who imagine
that there is but little, if any, danger of the
triumph in this State of the Republican party,
and of the infiction of all the evils and woes
unnumbered' consequent thereupon, are most
egregiously deceived. They are wholly unin-
formed of the real condition of affairs in the
State.
The multiplicity of aspirants FOR office; the
disafection to party organization which some,
through selfish motives, sedulousy engender;
the temptations offered to aspirants to become
''Independent'' candidates, constitute the chief
dangers to the success Of the Conservative
party. AS organization is necessary to save
the State from the evils consequent upon the
success of the Republican party, it becomes
the duty of every opponent Of that party to
Weld true fealty and obedience to the organi-
cation of the Conservative party, and to give
cheerful support to its nominees, whether OF
their choice or not.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE STATE CONSERVATIVE
COMMITTEE.
AT a meeting of the State Committee of the
Conservative party of Virginia, held In the
city of Richmond, July 20, 1871, the following
resolutions and address were adopted;
''l Resozred, That it is expedient to hold
convention of the Conservative party OF Vlr-
GINA on the Both day of August next, in the
city of Richmond.
2 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 Conservative
voters therein, or by the counties respectively,
assembled at their rt-houses, as may De pre-
ferred.
3. That the purpose of this Convention is
the reorganization of the Conservative party
of the State under the sanction OF popular ap-
proval and authority The elections for the
Legislature in November render this measure
necessary. The political needs of the party no
less require it.
4. That in view of the Importance OF the oc-
casion, it is earnestly hoped that delegates will
be chosen for the Convention who are recon-
mended by character and influence to the conf
dence and support of the people.
address to tie Conservative Voters Of Virginia.
It will be seen by the published proceedings
of the State Conservative Committee that
thorough reorganization of the party, under
popular sanction and approval, is deemed es-
66ulldl W lCS lnlGI6St, 1ACIC Adc UGH uO OOu
vention of the party since 1867. The organi-
cation then MISUNDERSTANDING directly from
the people-did its work successfully In the
memorable contest of 1869. Subsequently it
was superseded by fresh delegation Of au-
thority from the Conservative members of the
Legislature. 1t is sufficient to say that, under
the new plan thus inaugurated, whether from
inherent defects or causes which have super
vened, the influence of the central authority
has been measurably impaired 1t is felt that
a recurrence to the original source OF authority
is necessary, harmonizing with Republican
usage, and it is believed 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 1t,
and which, if unchecked, threaten it with Sc
rious disaster. Chief among these is the grow
ing prevalence Of what are termed "Indepen-
dent candidates-men who, protesting to be-
long to the Conservative party, throw them
selves, whenever chance for office offers, In
opposition to its nominations, divide It's ranks,
coalesce with the adversary, and often efec-
tually destroy its organization. Measures OF
thorough reform 10 this respect will doubtless
proceed from the Convention which will as
semble in August They will go out with the
stamp of its approval, and meet everywhere, it
is believed, with cheerful acceptance and ready
obedience.
The Legislature which will be elected under
the auspices of this Convention may meet a
crisis in the fortunes of our people which will
demand all its sagacity, courage, and resources.
We are not left to doubt by the legislation of
Congress and the recent conduct of the Presi-
dent 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 trampling on the
southern people The slight CLEAN of Presi-
Dental favor which enabled us to vote down
the DISTINGUISHING clauses in the State Consti-
tuition was speedily withdrawn. Ever since,
we have lain under the sullen frown of power.
Never since, have we received 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 tyranny, inventing nothing new, re
peats itself the world over. The laws which
clothe the President with authority, for politi-
cal offences too vaguely defined to be intelligi-
BILE, to invade the Southern States, to suspend
the habeas corpus, and employ the army and
navy against their unhappy people, were
passed at his personal solicitation, after Con-
gress had expressed its sense that no more po-
ltical legislation was required by the state of
the country, and was about to adjourn He
declares now, in formal proclamation, that
these laws are Of extraordinary importance"
that although they are of general application
in their terms ''the necessity therefor is we'll
known to have been caused chiefly by persis-