The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-08-12
Gre,,ias Stats 9o,trnat
Grsnil,g stats 5ot'rnat.
PARTY UNITY.


get bread and bacon by talking about it.''
In all popular organizations, after the
first impulse, there comes always an inter-
nal struggle. Even in the army, long days
of inaction bring personal quarrels and in
trigues without number--the quarrels be-
tween the ins and outs. But let the long
roll beat, and every man springs into line,
prepared to assault or resist the common
foe. In the shock Of battle, mean .eal-
ousies and rivalries disappear.
All intelligent commanders recognise the
danger of Generalization among idle troops.
Precisely this lesson is taught by the histo-
ry Of parties, and especially of the Repub-
lican party. Our danger in Virginia is pre-
cisely this, that the party is doing nothing,
or nothing adequate to its. own numbers
and powers, and the demands of the situa-
ton. And we have intestine quarrels,
strife and chickering's, because we are idle
and have nothing to divert us from these
childish employments. The remedy is car
nest aoork and a senion against the common
enemy. Whatever differences may exist as
to personal claims, all true Republicans
will agree upon the propriety and import
ance of several duties now long neglected.
LIST. That the party should be thoroughly
and minutely organized throughout the
State.
I'd. That series of meetings should be
held at all available places in the State, to
extend a knowledge of Republican princi-
pies and secure their adoption by the peo-
pie.
3D.. That newspapers, and printed matter
of all kinds should be circulated, so as to
bring within reach of every man, who can
read, sound information upon all political
topics.
4th. That careful canvass should be
made, and promptly returned to the Cen
tral Committee, showing, as far as may be,
the deficiencies and needs of different dis
tricts Of the State, that they may be sup
piled and remedied. This work, without
which no party can have its forces in hand
for a political contest, is common ground.
TO neglect it, is to forfeit every claim to
recognition as Republicans. TO this work
we therefore summon every man who pro-
fesses the Republican faith.
Let the State committee at its meeting
first arrange a thorough organization. That
committee was appointed to do this very
thing. If it cannot agree to do 1t, then it is
practically worthless incumbrance upon
the party. If aoW not undertake this
qoork, and attend to IL primarily to the er-
c1ssion Of ece,y other, until At has provided
fo,:the emergency, then it is a fraudulent
cheat upon the party whose work it has un-
dertaken, but refuses to do.
If the committee will not do. this work,
and do it promptly and cnergetically, we
shall then favor an immediate Convention of
all earnest Republicans to undertake reor-
ganization. The Republican party is sound
to the core. It's divisions are on the sur
face. There are differences on questions
not vital to its existence, personal prefer
ences and interests, honest Emergencies of
opinion, that must hc treated with mutual
tolerance. We cannot tolerate, however,
any indolent indifference, without courting
and deserving defeat. M
We will go for our worst enemy if he
will make the party strong. We will
sacrifice our best friend if his advancement
weakens it. This we consider simply COM
mon sense in the conduct of party warfare.
We ask no man to support our paper even,
to the exclusion of others. If the National
Vnyiniaa suits any of our friends better,
help circulate it, and catch some of its
eamestness, without absorbing its bitter
ness. Support, also, the many deserving
local papers.
Work resolutely, persistently, energeti-
cally everywhere and at all times, to en-
tighten and convince our fellow citizens,
and persuade them to unite in overthrowing
that monstrous and bloody cheat, which, in
the name of Democracy, seeks only to rob
the people, and to destroy liberty and civil
ization.