The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-05-14
1>,a Dntv Of the Hour.


r;-h, meetings will be held in all the
rr,rds Of the city to elect delegates " 'ue
.,,,en,iou which on tomorrow IL 10 ho'u''
,,a,. candidates for the various city oiilces.
r,r weeks it has been known that these
,,ne.incs we're to be held tonight, and that
,bev were 10 be held for the purpose stated.
7, Is the duty Of every Conservative voter 10
attend these meetings and make his weight
fcp in behalf OF good government. IL nc
foil. 20 do 50, he can have no right 10 c"in'
,,Isi, that those who differed with MN 10
.,;.,;on n. TO the best means OF working out
.~nod results succeeded ia clecsing men 20
-. convention whs would represent their
.;,,vs II voter were present and
-,n,sea 70 take part in ward meet
inr, his silence would be construed, and
nropc:lv construed. into approval OF
the proceedings OF those who were more
Jealous and active. And so, il after several
weeks notice Of tho time OF the meetings,
.pv voter wilfully absents himself, ne there
hy in effect appoints those who may be
present 10 be his deputies, and he is bound
70 respect the acts OF these his representa-
,iycs. A man cannot sit down in listless
Indifference, or be culpably negligent, and
then throw the blame Of his non-ac.ion upon
those who ere more industrious and more
energetic, and who thereby shape the cesil-
MICS Of tho Conservative party. In the
northern States the voters are all free. They
are bourd-,hralls to 10 party. They may
"scrasch'' ticket, and thereby benefit
themselves, whether they "scratch" for OF
against either of the leading parties. They
may in this way secure good sno
faithful officers. Here the voters art
differently circumstanced. The negroes
sre slaves to bad party, and they
thus make Us slaves to a party which,
though it may not be as good IS i: ought TO
bc, is so much better than theirs that no
true white patriot can justify himself TOT
falling TO sustain it. We are not free 10 scs )
because when bad men combine, Sood men
ate compelled to unite. Being thus bouno
in honor to stand by the white mans party,
and to keep the offices, and the tax'laying
power, aud the police, and the preservation
Of order, in the bands Of the ruling and tax
rsrirs race, We arc also bound 10 do what
ever is necessary and within our power to
lake our party an honest, pure, and good
one. TO accomplish this purpose, We must
attend our ward meetings tonight, and
see that good men ere elected to
the Convention, and also attend the
ward meetings OF next week to AID IN
nominating proper candidates for the two
branches Of the City Council and for justices
Of the peace. Shall we not perform this
duty Are we willing to trust to tie chances?
Are we so Indifferent AZ TO negro rule' Do
We wish 10 bring upon Us the fate Of Peters
burg? Do VIC wish ten thousand country
regrocs TO flock to Richmond withiH the
mex, five years to breed disease and put az
end TO her prosperity Then let Us elect
Radical Officials and put i negro policeman
on every corner Of our streets, and negro
men upon our jur!eS, and negro children
into our white schools. Whoever fails to do
his duty does thereby aid and assist the Rad |
cal party. BE may not lie as bad SIS those
who coddc Radical voters and hope TO creep
Into ollice upon negro shoulders, but he is n
guilty man. Let no such man open his mouth
after the ward meetings are over.
Surprising, then, that you attend the ward
meetings, what ought you 10 do? Why act
rs you would if you were appointing proX-
les to represent yourselves individually.
Select the best OF men. Select, if possible, |
men who are not pledged to the support Of
any particular candidate, or set of cand- |
dates, and who viii, after the Convention |
has assembled, choose the best nominees |
that they On fud. 1t will not be difficult |
for you &c induce such men TO represent |
you. On the contrary, the best men in the |
city are ready and willing TO perform this |
tlanklcss but Important duty if you will
only lay your hands upon tLcm and tell
thcm you need their services.
Finally, We repeat it, attend your ward
tonight.