Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-07-28
OF THE CON-
SENTATIVE STATE COMMIT
TEE.

| Veutiou VI tHe CONSERVATIVE party ou tHo
30th of August next in the city of Rich
mond.
End. That the Convention will be com-
posed 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 peo-
pie Of the counties respectively assembled at
their courthouses, as may be preferred.
3rd. That the purpose Of this Convention
is the reorganization Of the Conservative
party Of the State under the sanction of
popular approval and authority.
The elections for the Legislature in No
vember render this measure necessary.
The political need of the party generally
no less require it.
4th. That in view of the Importance Of
the occasion it is earnestly hoped that dele
gates will be chosen for the Convention who
are recommended by character and influence
pie.
! THE ADDRESS.
1t 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
deemed essential to its interests. There has
been no convention of the party since 1867.
The organization then instituted springing
directly from the people-did its work sue
cessfully in the memorable contest of 1869.
Subsequently, it was superseded by fresh
delegation Of authority from the Conserya-
tive members Of the Legislature 1t is suf-
fcient to say that, under the new plan thus
inaugurated, whether from inherent defects,
or causes which have supervened, the infu-
ence of the central authority has been meas
urably impaired. 1t is felt that recurrence
to the orig final source Of authority is neces-
sary, harmonizing with the Republican
usage, and, it is believed, with the popular
| wish. A closer and more thorough discip-
line 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 Independent" candidates,
men who, protesting to belong to the Con-
sentative party, throw themselves, whenev-
er chance for Office offers, in opposition to
| its nominations, divide its ranks, coalesce
| with the adversary, and often efectually
| destroy its organization. Measures Of thor.
ought reform, in this respect, will doubtless
proceed from the Convention which will as
semble in August. They will 60 out with
the stamp of its approval, and meet every.
where, it is believed, with cheerful accept
ance and ready obedience.
The Legislature which will be elected I'm.
| der the auspices Of this Convention may
meet 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 tho recent
conduct Of the President, that the party in
power does not mean to resign it, if it can
DO retained by fraud Or force, still less if it
can be kept by trampling on the Southern
people. The slight CLEAN Of Presidential
favor which enabled us to vote down the
DISTINGUISHING clauses in the State Constitu-
ton, was speedily withdrawn. Ever since,
we have lain under the sullen frown Of pow
err. Never since have we received from
Congress Or from the President one sign of
| Cancellation, encouragement, Or cheer. But
measures Of oppression, test-oaths, and polit-
ical exclusion have pursued us, in the dreary,
vulgar routine in which tyranny, inventing
nothing new, repeats itself the world over
| The laws which clothe the President with
authority, for political offences too vaguely
defined to be Ineligible, to invade the
Southern States, to suspend the habeas COR
pus, and employ the army and navy against
their unhappy people, were passed at his
personal solicitation, after Congress had ex-
pressed its sense that no more political leg
islation was required by the state Of the
country, and was about to adjourn. He de-
clares now, in a formal proclamation, that
these laws are Of Extraordinary impor-
tance;" and although they are of general
application in their terms, "the necessity
therefore is well known to have been caused,
chiefly by persistent violations Of the rights
of citizens Of the United States by combina.
tons of lawless and disafected persons in
certain localities, lately the theatre of insur-
rection and military conflict" and not halt
ing at their Extraordinary" or doubtful
| character, he declares sthat he will not hes
itate to exhaust 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 subservient
| Congress, declared war against large body
Of the American people, and forced them to
know him hereafter only as their enemy,
If the recently enacted law purporting to
enforce the fourteenth amendment sand for
others purposes" and in that commonly
known as the election or enforcement law,
there are laid numberless traps and snares
for the unwary Southern citizen, who
ventures to cast his vote or use his personal
influence against the candidates who stand
forth to support these abuses. Vague and
indefinite enactments, not specifying overt
acts, but matters 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 mer-
oilss exaction before he can regain his liberty.
These expressions are already familiar in
our experience. They will be repeated, un-
til they make suffrage and the common
privileges Of speech and action in public af-
fairs SO perilous and costly, that their exer-
else will be largely fore-borne
Simultaneously, and at the instigation of
the President, committee, organized to
suit his purpose, sits at Washington in the
vacation Of Congress inviting ISLANDERS and
misrepresentation Of the Southern people,
that the Northern mind may be kept infam-
ed against the South that the fires Of war
between the sections may never die cut, but
live even in the ashes Of the expired con.
aict f; that the one section may be blinded
and misled, and the other dragooned into
| the support of faction which deserves the
excavations Of both.