Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-05-05

!
elected, and intend to carry the election in
spite Of the organization of the Conserva
tive party-it is cowardly, it is pusillani-
nous not to take up the gage, and show that
the Conservative party can control the
city. But the fact that the feeling day by
day since the gauntlet was thrown, has
been growing stronger against this arc
CANT presumption, shows that this chal-
lenge will be met by the Conservative
party with solid front, and that there is a
determination to show at the polls that this
is Conservative city controlled by Con-
selvatives. Cheers.
CAPT. JAMES BUMGARDNER, JR.,
said he was not member of the Conser-
vatiye party of Staunton, but appeared
here as a non-r resident by invitation. He
had no particular interest in the mere per-
son0l questions entering into the campaign,
but as a member of the Conservative party
of Augusta, as a member of the Conser-
vative party of Virginia, and as member
OF the great Conservative party of the
! United States, he felt a deep and profound
interest in its welfare both inside and out
side of Staunton. Not only was he willing
| to do his duty in his place and in all places
where the organization called him, but
even to volunteer to lead a forlorn hope
| Applause. Like the oath of Hanni-
bal, he was sworn to use every effort to
destroy the Radicals, whether in the mar
row field of the municipal election, the
broader field Of Virginia, or the grander
field of the United States. Towards them
| he felt like the man in the old story about
| the snakes at the circus, II hits 'em wher-
ever sees 'em." TCheers.]
| Even the Conservative residents of Staun-
ton who think that for the purposes of
municipal election they need not sup
| port the nominees Of the primary election.
must admit that for some purposes organiza-
ton is necessary. Well, with this question
all is conceded. 1t is too late now to argue
the question of eXpediency. That point has
been settled-not by committee, not by "a
convention--but by the members of the
Conservative party in mass meeting, at
which an overwhelming majority decided
! that 1t aUaS necessary. Against this decis-
ion, whether wise OF unwise, no man has
a right, in party view, to put his indie
pendent Judgment in opposition to the
judgment of the party. The object of
party organization is to give the party con-
troll OF the government at every point, and
if it is true, as is alleged by some, that
| some Conservatives will, from private OF
personal, OF from any other considerations,
desert their party in the present contest,
this demonstrates the fact that right here
is a weakness that will make the party Or
ganization unreliable in any contest. If it
can't rally it's members, it can't be relied
Oh to come into line Of battle o0heneuer it
may be called on to act. AS Mr.. Quarles
remarked, if its members choose to call
down upon it
DISASTER OR DEFEAT,
then hencefOrth and forever the Conserva-
tive party OF Staunton is poWerless to CO.
operate with the great Conservative party
of the State. The idea seems to be that
there is q political chief of the other party,
Individually the most powerful in his party
| i'll the county, who can, if he choose, walk
| into our party and carry off enough voters
to elect him. If such state of things
does exist here, it is a disgrace to any
party. [Applause.] If there is a battalion
| in our ranks, that in the day of battle can
be called on by the enemy, and who will
turn their guns against their friends, it is
disgraceful. [Cheers.] 1t is for you to say
whether this is so OF not think not, but
it is for you to see that it does not happen.
1t is not necessary to argue the question,
every sensible man must see that the party
should always be kept in working order,
and ready to work whenever and wherever
| the councils Of the party call them.
Why is it that the State of Virginia is
not now crushed by Radical govern
ment? Because the Conservative party was
organized to meet it! Why is there to-day
| a Democratic majority in Congress, which
| prevents the Mortons and Blaines from
inficting outrages on the Southern States
i From no other reason than that the Demo
cratic and Conservative parties acted on
the principle Of keeping always organized,
always ready, and have succeeded. after
| years of struggle, in securing majority
| in that body. And now on the eve of Or
| ganizing to fight for the more important
Office Of ruler of the nation, you here in
Staunton, are advised by some to disorgani-
zation. My advice to you is, to
WHIP WHAT IS IN FRONT OF YOU!
| You have front in Staunton extending
two hundred voters beyond the front of
tie enemy, and yet you are ADVISED to sub
nit to be whipped [ do not believe you
will ever submit to the disgrace of such a
defeat. [Applause.]
MAI. Z. G. ELDER
said he was always willing to say word
for the Conservative party, for it deserved
it. He had not SO soon forgotten the time
when the question was submitted to the
white men of the State to vote ON dsfran-
chising themselves. 1t was impressed on
his memory by the fact that the late Ia
meuted John B. Baldwin and himself had
spoken for several hours in a neighboring
village, urging the white people to
organize to resist the oppression. The
party organized in those perilous times is
with us to-day, andthe reason of its success
to this hour had been that the true white
people of Virginia had stood shoulder to
| shoulder in its ranks. And by
maintaining our organization now we
can again carry the day in
triumph, and he was as ready to stand by
| the organization now as he was then. Does
any one have doubts that the Conservative
party is in majority in Stanton? If it
has it is its duty to see that the city has
| good government, and the responsibility is
| entasled upon it to nominate good men for