Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-07-22
Address 10 the Conservative Voters Of
Virginia..

1t VIII DC seen ny tlle puuilSllcu iIoccculuSs
of the State Conservative COMMITTEE that a
thorough reorganization Of the party, under
popular sanction and approval, is deemed es-
sental to its interests. There has been no con-
yention of the party since 1867. the organiza-
ton then MISUNDERSTANDING directly from
the people-dil its work successfully in the
memorable contest of 1869. Subsequently, it
was superseded by fresh delegation ofauthori
ty from the Conservative members Of the LIE
gis,ature. 1t is sufficient to say that, under the
new plan thus inaugurated, whether from in
hercnt defects, or causes which have superven-
ed, the influence of the central authority has
been measurably impaired. It 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 moro 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 arc termed Independent"
candidates-men who, protesting to belong to
the Conservative party throw themselves,
whenever chance for Office offers, i'll opposl
ton to its nominations, divide its ranks, coal
cscc with the adversary, and often eftectualIy
destroy its organization. Measures of thorough
reform in this respect will doubtless proceed
from the Convention which will assemble in
August They will go out with the stamp OF
its approval and meet everywhere, it is bellev-
| cd, with cheerful acceptance and ready obc-
dicncc
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 Sagaclty, courage and resources,
| We arc not left to doubt by the legislation OF
Congress, and the recent conduct Of the Prcs-
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 .tampling on the
Southern people. The slight CLEAN Of Presi-
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was speedily withdrawn.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 sullcn trown Of power Never
since have We received from Congress or from
the President one sign of Cancellation, encou-
ragcment, or cheer But measures Of repres-
sion, tcStoathS and political exclusion have
pursued us. in the drcary, vulgar lOntlnc IN
which tyranny. invcntng nothing new. repeats
itself the world over. The laws which cothe
the President with authority for political
offences too vaguely defined to be intcgble,
to invade the Southern States, to suspend the
habeas corpus, and employ the army and navy
his personal solicitation. after Congress had OK
pressed lis sense that no more political leglsa
ton was required by the state Of the country,
and was about to adjourn. He declares now,
in formal proclamation, that these laws arc OF
extraordinary importance; that although
they are Of general application in their terms,
the necessity therefor is well known to have
| been caused chiefly by persistent violations OF
the rights of citizens Of the United State by
combinations Of lawlcss and lisafected persons
in certain localities, lately the theatre OF III
surrecton and military conflict: and not halt
ing at their extraordinary or doubtful char
ucter he declare that he will not hesitate to
exhaust the powers thus vested in the Execu
tive whenever and wherever it may be ncccssa
~ to do 50. Thus has this official, armed
with power by 4 subScrrient Congress, declared
war against Il large body Of the American pco-
pie and forced them to know him here after on
ly rs their enemy.
In the recently enacted law purpoting to en-
force the fourteenth amendment and for
other purposes, and in that commonly known
rs the election or enforcement law, there arc
Southern citizen who ventures to cast his vote
dates who stand forth to support these abuses
Vague and indefinite cnactments, 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, I'M
prisoned. and made the subject Of merclless
exaction ief1re he can regain his liberty. These
-Sionsare already familiar in ourcxperlence.
They will be repeated until they make suffrage
and the common privileges Of speech and action
in public affairs so perious and costly, that their
exercise will lie largely torborne.
simultaneously, and at the inStigaton of the
President. Il committee, organized to suit his
purpose, sits at Washington in the vacation Of
Congress- inviting SANDERS and misrcprcsenta-
tions of the Southern people. that the Northern
mind may be kept infamed against the South !;
that the fires of war between the sections may
never die out but live even in the ashes Of the
expired conflict that the one section may be
blinded and mised, and the other dragooned
into the support OF i faction which deserves
the cNccratlnns Of both.
The aScendency Of the Radical party is Il
great and general misfortune: which imperlls
the existence Of free government in this coun-
try. But our share in it is peculiar. We suf-
fer directly as its measures are aimed at Us as
victims. But beyond this, We stand in the
presence Of great danger, forever impending,
forever threatening The event which shall
give Virginia back to that party consigns her
to the fate which, with infinite striving she
escaped two years ago. The negro and the car
ct-hagger will resume their sway; law, order
and society will fly at its approach life itself
will become intolcrablc. 70 what sleepless
vigilance should this thought incite How it
should stir each private man to make the pub
lie concern his own
In these perplexitics and troubles Your duty
is plain. Possess yourselves with patience
with your characteristic tirnness and modera-
ton. Give the enemy no advantage by impru-
dcncc or want Of temper. Exercise your legal
rights and no more. Let there be no apparent
excuse or rrctcxt for the intervention of armed
force at the elections, and as little rs possible
for intormcrS spies, warrants, examinations.
and indictments-the apparatus Of tyranny