Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1873-10-02
ADDRESS OF The STATE CONSERVATIVE
COMMITTEE.
TO THE VOTERS OF VIRGINIA
STATE CONSERVATIVE COMMIT

TO THE VOTERS OF Virginia.
STATE CONSERVATIVE COMMIT
TEE Richmond, Sept. IS, 1873.
The political contest in which we
are now engaged is one of the most i'm
porfant that ever occupied the attention
of the people of Virginia. Forthe first
time since the close of the war there is
no extraneous element to influence our
course in the management OF the affairs
of the State. In the contest of 1869 we
were not left to free and untrammelled
course In the selection of our candi-
dates we had to turn to Washington
and please the authorities there. We
were then seeking to be restored to the
Union, and through the wisdom of her
statesmen and the energy Of her sons
our noble old State attained her object.
Now~tke ST. uggle is different one; we
are now seeking to restore the State to
her ancient identity, and to place her
in the proud position she once occupied
in the peerage of States. Such is the
struggle now, and is it not worthy of
our highest effortss Should it not
stimulate our energies, and awaken and
bring into play every feeling OF
patriotism?
This is the object and the aim Of the
struggle in which we are now embarked.
3. And at the outset let us take counsel to-
gether and devise the means to con-
duct it to successful termination. The
first and most essential step to accom-
plish that end is to put into Office
honest and capable men, who are faith
FIJI to the constitution and devoted to
the best interests of the State. Fill all
the departments OF the government
Legislative, executive and judicial-with
such men, and you will have taken the
first and most important step to restore
the old State to her former glory and
renown.
The Conservative Convention which
recently assembled in this city, com
posed of men distinguished for their pa
triotism, intelligence and refinement,
have placed before you candidates to fill
the executive department Of the State
candidates worthy ofyour most earnest
support. They are men of lofty char
acter, unimpeachable integrity and large
experience in the public councils. Two
of them have attested their devotion to
her honor and her ancient principles by
the ir deeds of heroism, and have given
evidence Of a patriotism which held life
and fortune as light sacrifice for then
mother.
- r
/. One of the most important duties
that devolves upon the Legislature is
the election of judges. The Legislature
ills the whole Judiciary. 1t is true
hese positions are now occupied; but
acancies may occur, and it is essential
t the best interest of the Stste that the
bnch should be composed of honest
and capable men. Chief Justice Mar
shll forcibly expressed this view when
he said:
'lhave always thought from my ear.
liestyouth till now, that the greatest
scouige an angry heaven every inflicted
uponan ungratetul and SHINING people
was a ignorant, corrupt or dependcn,
judiciary Will you draw down THU
curse Upon Virginia?
2. The Legislature has control of the
whole educational system of Virgin;
as prescribed by the constitution. Il
may create separate or mixed schools a
its pleasure. 1t may throw open tn,
same school to white and black. Tha
the Radical party contemplate system
of mixed schools in this State is sus-
ceptible OF demonstration; at least Sc
much of that party as is composed o
negroes, and they constitute nineteenth,
of the party in the State. That such il
their purpose is shown by the vote il
the Lynchburg convention On the reso
luton declaring it inexpedient to estab
fish mixed schools in the State. Thi.
resolution was voted down by an over
whelming majority, thus affirming tha
in the opinion OF a large majority O
that representative body such a system
was expedicnt. And their candidate
Mr.. Hughes, when called upon to sa,
whether, if elected Governor, he wout
veto bill establishing mixed schools
refused to answer. He has since sale
he was opposed to mixed schools upor
grounds Of expediency; but it does no
follow from this that he would veto /:
bill establishing such schools. 1t ma,
be that he entertains the opinion that h,
would only apply the veto OH constitu-
tional grounds. Ifso, then he nigh
sign the bill. We ought to have
Governor who wonld certainly appl,
the veto to such bill in the event In,
Legislature should be Radical; for W,
know that the negroes are insisting Of
m xel schools wherever they have tn,
power. In their r, mt convention i,
Mississippi they adopted the following
resolution:
That we recognize no distinction a
now existing by law in the rights of al
the children of the State to equal priv
leges and to accept such in all publ,
schools, colleges and universities, an.
should any of said institutions Of learn
ing deny tA any child OH account ofrac'
or color its equal rights, we pledge our
salves TO enforce the said rights by ap
propriate legislation and we fl,the
pledee ourselves. 70 the support Of on
ut inrtifutions Of learning aud GU
6 65p6afippal systenLasl above ex
~ III n ii bin8ton iii, an