The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-08-25
independent Candidates.

1t is very well to say In time word about
independent candidates. Such has been their
sad fate in the past that they will probably,
in great part, cease to make their appearance.
Still, we cannot hope that they will alto
gether die out. According TO rumor, the
Government is about to reward one indie
pendent for having used his best exertions
to defeat the Conservative party, TO which
he protested to belong, by running against
the regular nominee OF the party. Such a
reward for infidclity will hardly fail to in
wife some person Of little merit and less IN
;egrity to follow the bad example.
1t is hard to explain the object of be-
coming an independent candidate upon any
hypothesis that cab relieve such candidate
from the suspicion of dishonorable motives.
Certainly the most charitable construction
that can be placed upon his conduct is that
his egotism Is so unlimited that he thinks
himself Of greater Importance than the state
and her welfare. A sclt.conceit so enormous
mast of course make the man who feels II
an object OF universal contempt; and that
is the least degree of public censure that can
be visited upon his act. ... .,
The State is now asSaied by the combined
forces of barbarism and incompetencv. She
can only be saved from their invasion Of her
most sacred temples from their spoliation
of her treasure and the miSdirection and
ruin of her interests--by the consistency and
devotion of her sons, her own white cili-
zens. The struggle Is one that is vital, and
il demands the united and cordial support
of those white citizens to conduct her safely
through it. Will any one of them who has
a spark of love of country in his breast, or
one single emotion of pride Of race in his
heart, set up his personal ambition above the
interests of his State and cndeavor to bring
defeat upon his fellow-citizcns struggling for
her ut the polls! Such man deserves not
the name of EirSinian-he is IN migrate,
offensive to every noble sentiment of hu-
lnanity and fraud upon civilization.
We must be united aud firm. We must
rs Virginians stand firmly to the cause of our
vcneratcd mother. There must be no skulk-
Ing, 10 dividing, now. The man that fails
now should never again be trusted. The
inan who, through obstinacy or through a
vulgar conccit, Tesists the will of the ma
jorlty of his ncighbors by thrusting himself
forward should never again be trusted. His
act should, by its unbearable meanneSs, unite
still more comrac,ly the party which he
has deserted, and bring down upon him
their just indignation with rushing force
TINT will place him beyond the hope OF ever
rising in public estimation.
The nobest sentiment that can actuate the
human heart, next to devotion to God, is
love Of country. This implies the duty of
public devotion and sclf-sacrifice for the
public welfare. AS these traits appear i'll
the conduct of men are they considered viz
tuolis and heroic Therefore must we con-
slider men low, vicious, and dishonored us
they forget and neglect their public duty
and their obligations to defend the honor
and interests Of their State.
Let us hope few or none will, through
faitllcssne>s and esotism, incur the undying
contempt Ct their fellow-men by becoming
independent candidates during this cam-
paign.