The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-06-26

If wisdom controls tho deliberations aud
counsels Of the Republioanspar as at pres
ent organized, in the approaching State cam
paign, the opportunity will be presented, of
| concentrating all the elements OF opposition
to the proscriptive and suicidal policy Of the
so-caled Conservative party, and sweep it
| from existence. The controlling thought
should be to place Virginia in harmony with
the national government, and give to the ad-
ministsa ton Of President Grant, an earnest,
cordial, and consistent support. There never
was a time when the true Interests Of Vir-
GINA moro clearly demanded the friendly re-
cognition Of the government than at present.
There never was period, when the great
mass Of the people, were in frame Of mind
more favorable to throwing aside the mere
conventsoaaEties Of party, and asserting their
honest wishes at the ballot box To-day we
believe that two-thirds. of the people are dis
gusted with the Conservative organization
They regard it as a failure, and that it has
been the instrument of infictiug more harm
upon he people than any other organization
that has ever controlled the affairs of tho
State.
While the great majority Of the voters of
the Commonwealth are opposed to the So
called Conservative party, they are not fully
! e., ~ IL AZ no u
publican organization. They cannot be dri0en
into either. What they want is an opportu-
nifty to record their dissent from the so-caled
Conservative organization, without commit
ting themselves fully to the Republican par
ty, against which there is still lingering
y prejudice, resulting FROM past differences
They are willing to support candidate COM
mitted to the administration in all just meas
ures, and against the barbarous notion Of a
conflict of races in Virginia as proposed by
: the Conservatives They will maiutain the
r general thought and principles Of the Repub-
lican party, but will not identify themselves
y with the conventional rules and discipline Of
. the organization. We are now referring to
! what we believe to be the sentiment of a
: great many men who have heretofore acted
e with the Conservative party and voted fol-
n Greeley in November last, or refused to vote
at all.
e The question FOR the Lynehburg Conven-
d ton to consider, is the adoption of some
l middle line Of policy, by which the entire cp-
e position to the so-called Conservative party
i can be concentrated, upon national idea
q the support of the administration. 1t does
not imply the abandonment Of any principle
$ 1t is simply to invite the cordial cooperation
Of all men, who feel the necessity Of chang
s ing the policy ct the State, and Wrestling its
q control from those who have shown them
: selves Incapable of rising to catholic and
: comprehensive appreciation Of the situation.
We honestly believe that fully one-half Of
e what is called the Conservative party of Vir-
i sinia are willing to declare unequivocally in
: favor Of an earnest support Of the National
Y misunderstanding to bury past preju-
j dices, and place the State in harmony with
D the government. Many Of them will not,
] however, do SO, if it requires them to follow
e those whom they Lave heretofore opposed
right into the State republican lines The
: people generally are heartily sick Of Conven-
y TONS They know that they are always man
aged by a few adroit wire puilers, and that
the will of the people is rarely reflected in
their selections. Further. there is growing
prejudice against close political corporations,
aud if the opportunity is presented there will
, be a significant expression of opinion in re-
gard thereto. IF the issue is clearly and dis
tinctty presented of support Of or opposition
to the administration, it will define parties
and convictions as closely as the srictest
constructlonlst could desire, and afford every
voter the open opportunity to say whether
he is willing to give his individual voice for
or against the government, as represented by
President Grants admin istration, and as en-
braced 10 faithful observance of the word
and spirit of the reconstruction measures-
An endorsation OF the administration compre
bends everything the Republican party con-
tends for. 1t is broad enough and deep
enough for the intensest loyalty, and the par
tizan that requires more taints his patriotism
with large infusion Of selfshness. It will
not only accomplish all that is desired 10 a
national sense, but it would give US The as.
suranee Of more enlightend and compre-
hensive State policy, and place Virginia
without doubt in our mind, in the position
her true substantial interests demand she
should occupy.
This, we are satisfied, is the general feel
ing aua conviction Of large number of good
men in the Valley who have heretofore acted
with what is called the Conservative party.
IF this broad, unembarrasscd policy should
be adopted, it is our judgment that the Con-
sentative nominees would be in a minority at
the November election, in almost every coun-
ty il this great Valley. The result will be
to drive from position and power those who
are seeking to paralyze all the great Interests
Of the State, for selfish purposes, break down
| race and sectional Oreiudicas omen the doors