Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-04-28
COMMUNICATED.
The Conservative Party and the Con-
gressiOnal Canvass.

COMMUNICATED
The Conservative Party and the Con-
gressiOnal Canvass.
The Conservative party was organized III
1869 in the Walker canvass, for the purpose
of saving the State from the rule of negroes
and carpet baggers. As a pledge of recoucilia-
ton with the dominant party Of the North it
nominated man for Governor, who. in every
speech he made, proclaimed himself a Repub-
can and Grant man. By adopting this policy
of conciliation with Gen. CRAFTS adnlinistra-
ton the Conservatives won great victory, aud
the Chairman of the Conservative State Com
mittee announced the victory to Gen. Grant in
dispatch 10 which he Congratulated him on
the triumph of your policy 10 Virginia i: e.,
the election of the Conservative ticket. But
the work was not all done simply by the cleo
ton of our State ticket; the State had yet to
be admitted back into the Uulon. The Demo
Gratis of the North claimed the election OF
Walker as Democratic victory the Cnnserva-
tive press everywhere Indignantly denied II, and
as proof that such was not the fact pointed 10
the Conservative plattorm-in which they
claimed to be the true Republicans and to
their candidates, Gilbert e. Walker and John
F. Lewis, and Lewis Mckenzie, three pro-
pounced Grant men and Republicans. lu other
words the Conservatives protested, in order to
= be re-admitted back into the Union, a willing
ness to form an alliance with Gen. Grants ad-
ministration and the party 10 power. 1t Is a
well known fact that through the personal lu-
fuepce of Gen. Grant We were relieved from
the test oath aud DISTINGUISHING clause in the
State Constitution, and our representatives ad-
mitted to their seats III Congress. In other
words We are Indebted to Gen. Grant for the
blessings of local selt-goverDmeut which we
have enjoyed ever since the adoption of a civil
Constitution Unfortunately our people, after
having regaiDed their liberties through the 10
huence of Gen. Grant, were seduced luto an
alliance with miserable minority party 10 the
North, styling themselves Democrats. 10 tue
Presidential canvss that followed, Gov. Walker
aud the Conservative party, furgettul of their
beuetactor, who had stood by them in their
hour of ueed, attempted to cast the vote oil
Virginia for man, who, above all others,
bad done most to degrade aud ruin Virginia
Horace Grecey-a man who had gained the
distinction of being the only one Of all the cdi
tors of the North who had endorsed the luta-
NOUS order of Ben Butler about the women
of New Orleans The people of Virgiuia re-
fused to sanction the crime aud cast their vote
for Gen. Grant. lu the canvass OF the next
year for Governor the Conservative party
again changed front and came back to the orig
inal ground they had occupied in the Walker
canvass they adopted platform in which they
swore they were not opposed to Grants admin
istration, but on the contrary were willing to
support 1t. They again Won great victory on
Grant platform. From this view Of the his
, tory of the Conservative party it will be seen
that whenever the Conservatives have profess
ed to be for Grant they have carried the State,
but whenever they have been against Grant
they have been defeated. A canvass is about
to begin in Virginia 10 which the contest will
be renewed between those like Col. Musby)
who believe that the Oh safety aud security
of the Southern people is in friendly alliance
with Gen. Grants administration aud those
like Gen. Huuton) who are in favor Of eternal
war on his administration aud reputation OF
the pledges of friendship, by which the Con
servatvcs won their victory last year. lfGeo.
Huntou runs as candidate for Congress in
opposition to Grant administration, he must
repudiate the platform CD which Gov. kcmper
was elected. Gov kemper proclaimed in every
speech be made that he Was not IN opposition
to Grauts administration, but Was ready to
form an alliance with it, and give it a friendly
; support. For standing by bis pledges, made
10 the canvass he was hung in etfigy by ultra
men who had been bis supporters. Ii Gov.
Kempe. is authorized to speak for the Con-
servative party then that party Is not III oppo-
sition to Gen. Grants administration or to the
National Republican party. Iu his inaugural
be says: 'Of the people who conhded to us
our present trusts great majority Is not
identified with any existing National political
party, and although they were formerly divided
among opposing parties, they now staod upon
common Conservative principles. Virginia,
recognizing DO such obligations as bind her to
any National party organization, maintaining
her fidelity to all who are aud who shall become
allies 10 the defeuce Of measures calculated to
secure the ends named, rs ready to co-oppe
rate cordially aoith men Of a0hatercr party IN
unfolding those measures by ach0nISoerer pro-
posed, supporting those who support them, aud
opposing all those in opposition to them. " Que
Of the articles, announcing the principles and
purposes recently ratified by an overwhelming
majority of our people, declares that, dlSclalm-
ing all purpose of captious hostility to the pres
ent Executive head Of the Federal government,
I'VE will judge him impartlay by his official
action, aud will cooperate 10 every measure OF
his administration which may be beuehccnt in
design and calculated to promote the welfare OF
the people and cultivate sentiments of good will
between the different sections Of the Union.
This article was no political expedent OF the
hour. It embodies the sentiment Of honorable
mem and binds by the obligations fgood faith
and Justice" This was Gov. Kemper's Ian
guage
According then, to him, the Conservative
party is mere local organization, without COZ
necton with any national party, but is ready
to form an alliance with any party that will
give to our people protection and security IN
their rights. Blu, Gen Huoton as soon as be
got to Washington went iuto the Democratic
caucus aud allied himself to that minority or
ganzation What good has that party done
for us since the war, and what good can 1t do
for us? 1t has but one solitary principle hos
tillty to Gen CRAFTS administration AS long
then as Gen. Hutton wears the uoitorm OF that
organization he must be recognized as an enemy
| ,,J ;n,t 10 pouerless that nrpaniZa-