The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-05-31
Virginia at St. Louis.

Tho unfortunate action OF the Ohio Demo
cratic State Convention has rendered 1t abb
solutely necessary that Virginia should send
to st. Louis the best and most influential
men to be found in the State-men upon
whose fidelity to their trust, sound iudg-
ment, and capacity to lead, the country can
confidently rely.
Why: Because it depends upon the wis
dom of the delegates from the southern
States whether the next President shall be
4 Democrat or not. The insane folly OF the
Ohio Democrats will devolvc upon the
southern delegates the duty OF deciding
whether the platform OF the party IS more
important than the party itself-whether
we shall save the vessel itself, or content our
selves with marking out its course on an
ocean which unwistlom may prevent 1t from
ever touching.
The northern people are dividedupon the
financial question. In Ohio paper money is
popular. In New England and the Middle
and the Pacific States nothing but hard
money doctrines will answer. The party is
in peril from this division. Zealots on either
side arc willing to ruin the cause II by so
doing they can gain victory over the other
side. Whilst the South desires nothing else
so much as 4 change Of Administration, and
cannot 10y any means afford to allow any
such questions as those we have referred 10
to govern her action, she may find all
her hopes blasted unless she send to
ST. Louis men OF profound SaSaclty, polltl-
cal experience, and incorruptlble lntcg-
rity. These delegates must make the plat
form for the party. The northern delegates
cannot do it for themselves. And 1t Is not
going too far to say that the southern dele
gates should agree to no platform but one
l,pon which the Democratic candidate Tor
President can certainly carry New York,
New Jersey. and Connecticut. We can't
POSSIBLY carry Ohio, Illinois. Michigan,
iowo, Minnesota. or Wisconsin. In TACT,
Indiana is the only one Of the northwestern
States in which we can even so much rs
hone to succeed. What then: Shall we
make a platform TO please any OF these
States but Indiana? Surely not. But shall
we make one to please Indiana: Cndoubt-
cGlv. il Indiana agrees with Mr.. llENDElCKS
in being in favor OF hard money. And II
Indiana does so agree with him, then In
diana, New York, New Jersey, Conncctl-
cut, Colorado, California, Oregon, and all
the southern States, can agree upon plat
form that will insure the success OF our
ticket. The southern States can agree upon
il. because. whether they are for hard money
or not. their highest Interests demand that
fncy shall support Il candidate VINO can DC
elected. Ii, however, Indiana does not agree
with Mr.. HENDRICKS, then necessarily MI.
HENDRICKS and Indiana must 20 overheard
with Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, and the rest OF the
northwestern States. 1t would never do TO
nominate Il candidate who couldn't get the
vote OF his own state.
The Virginia Convention must see 10 II
that delegates are sent to ST. LOUIS VINO
have the bo!dncss and the ability to orlgl-
nate, follow up, and make successful,
nolicv such as that which we have indicated.
1t will never DO TO permit the shameful
ouarrcls OF the Ohio aSpirants to pull down
the temple OF the Democratic party. 1t VIII
never do to stake our success upon any
policy that will not command the hearty
support OF tho northern Democratic States,
which arc California, Oregon, Colorado,
New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
With the assistance OF these the southern
States can elect TO the presidency any CAM
didatc. All that our delegates to st. Louis
will have to do will be TO make the platform
and find the candidate that will secure the
favor of those few States OF the North.
Certainly no southern mans name should
lie presented to the Convention. orshould
the Virginia delegates be instructed to vote
FOR anv candidate. But there is much to be
said in favor OF q very active participation by
the southern delegates in the proceedings OF
the Convention. 1t will be their duty to adj
yocatc and vote for candidate and plat
form that will insure the success OF the DEM
ocratic party in the presidential election.
Unless they do this the St. Louis Conven-
ton will drift into hopeless confusion and
be utterly barren of good results. PLAINLY,
our northern brethren will not be able to
agree amongst themselves upon either q
platform or IL candidate that would render
certain the election OF I; Democratic Presl-
dent. AS the South doesn't care straw
for platforms nor for candidates, except that
she must vote for such as will enable her to
emerge from the wilderness OF trouble III
which she has so long been wandering, her
delegates will be admirably qualified to see
with clear vision the right track, and with
steady step to walk in it. The South is
needed. Let her deputc her best men to
perform the duty before her.