Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-09-07
sSP The action Of the Conservative Couyer

Bay" The action Of the Conservative COnven,
ton at Alexandria, by which the delegation Of
the majority in Scott Township, Fauquicr
county, was excluded, should be fairly present
ed to the voters Of this district, in order that
they may see the real issue that has been rails
ed by that decision. 1t is not a question as 10
the strength Of Barbour or Of Hutton IN the
Convention. 1t involved principle and is
sued in the promul gatiun of law, that hence
forth is to govern the Conservative party, IN
this district at least. 1t was settled that indie
pcndeuce Of thought, without the overt act,
was sufficient to exclude from the Conservative
Conventions all who We're bold enough 10 III
dulge in such privilege. lu other words, that
large cluss who believed that the interests OF
this district would be promoted by electiug
Col. MoSby to Congress, independently of all
Conventions, were denounced as having placed
themselves outside the pale Of the Conserva-
tive party, aud were to be treated 10 all re-
spects as Radicals" And this too Dotwith-
standing, after his withdrawal, they declared
their purpose to vote for the nominee OF the
Alexandria Convention. They arc required 10
do further works meet for repentance. How
long their state of probation is 10 continue was
not decded but judging from the published
debate in the Convention, they will be required
10 return Win Tue ulCu vi tllC hiShCo
cur ggiog their tails behiud them.
We do not propose to discuss the justice and
wisdom of this action of the Convention, but
We submit that it suggests for the consideration
Of the people, very grave question, aud that
is this: Whether a party organization that
will not tolerate any independence OF thought
n its individual members. has, or not, reached
al excess OF usurpation that should be chcckedI
No one can for moment doubt that such ac-
ton excludes from every party its very best
element, viz: the men who have the intell-
gcnce aud 6rmness to think for themselves
and will not rest satisfied by merely registering
the edicts of party managers. Exclude them
from the deliberations OF all meetings and con-
venions, and your party organization becomes
a mere machine to register the DEGREES OF its
ceutra power Whatever that thinks and does
the party must think and do.
The numerous friends of COL Mosby through
out the district have 20 other course lett but
to accept the situation. Ruthlessy assaulted
suit and derisioD. they will not incur the con-
tempt of their adversares by sacrificing their
set-respec, aud like craveos crawl back to lick
the hand that smotc them. As 10 the past, 30
in the future, they and their gallant leader will
be found true to Virginia and all her interests.
Identified With the Conservative party 10 feel
ing and sentiment as respects the original OBJ
iects of its formation, VIZ: the retention of the
State government 10 the hands OF those COM
petent to wisely administer it, 10 Federal 5po-
iitcs they will sternly oppose the merging of
that party in that old organization OF the North
that so cruelty betrayed US in the war, but
adhering to the motto of the Greeley cam
paigu, they inscrbe on their banner Peace
and reconciliation" And forgetting the past
and looking to the future, they will cooperate
with any party that has the will and the power
to lift our ruined section from the dust
SCOTT TOWNSHIP DELEGATION.
Fauquier county, Sept. 5, 1874.