The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-04-03
Rll.nold lispatlh',,
arf,Hnay .....APRIL s, 1875.
me CITY Elections.

The City Elections.
This il really the most important matter
that now engages public attention IN this
city. No apology Is wanted for the frequent
reference 10 1t in these columns.
The organization of the Conservative party
was an act for the preservation Of public
order and peace and the promotion of the
general prosperity. We were threatened
with the most fearful consequences OF the
great adnlseration OF the constituent body
by the injection into IL of a large BODY OF
utterly incompetent voters. It became
matter Of vital necessity to band together
The sintelligen, and capable people for the
defence OF the State against the incompetent
mass that we're banded together from the
\ moment of their enfranchisement. OF course
this incompetent mass could not be expected
TO act upon any line Of policy but that which
was destructive, and they increased the dan.
ger to be apprehended by listening to the
advice OF, aud putting themselves under,
leaders whose whole purpose was to get
possession Of the Government to fill their
own pockets from public treasure wherever
1t came under their control. This has been
their policy every here, and it has been car
riea out wherever they had the power, to the
ruio and distress Of the responsible tax pay
ing people wherever that was.
The Conservative party of Virginia, by
its harmony and its heroic defence OF the
State, saved it from the horrors OF the motley
party that lowered rs beasts Of prey around
it. But it did for Richmond as much. Here
we have fair city--richly endowed by ma"
sture-fortuuate in her geographical position
aud advantages with reference to commerce
admired by every psssenger-idoized by ner
in habitants, and cbeered by promises ss
bright as any that illumne the future
OF any city in the United States. Sup.
pose she bad fallen under Radical
rnle-under the control OF the combined
power Of dishonesty and incompetency,
what fate indeed would have been hers,
with ali her loveliness and rich endowments?
Her credit would have been sadly impaired,
her energies crippled, her hopes covered
With black pail, her people disconsolate
and fearful. Compare the glories of her tri-
umphsnt rescue with the terrors Of the
captivity which threatened her. Who would
be stthe traitor knaye" to aid in her en-
thralment, with it's wretchedness and obs
strucsion?
Now, it is necessary that we should main
tain still the union and harmony that saved
us In order 10 protect the city from the I'M
i'm aginatle evils of misgoverDment. Every
good citizen should do all he can to keep up
the strength of this invaluable Conservative
organization. He should offer up his pecu.
liar views and his personal preferences upon
the altar of the common cause when they are
In conflict with those q the majority, and be
hould march with pride and pleasure in the
ranks of the victorious legions who have
saved their country and whose efforts are
still. indispensable to her protection.
Now, every party finds 1t necessary to
make nominations. That Republican party,
of purs reputation and honorable memory,
to which JEFFERSON and MADISON belonged
Ia d it's nominees. So had the noble Federal
party of the ADAMS type. So, later, with
the Wing party and the Democratic party,
and SO now that misnamed Republican
party-thc really and radically destructive
party of the present-has invariably its
nominees. How can we do without nomi-
nees upon whom TO concentrate our votes
How can we expect to struggle against the
most evil and ruinous organization ever
KIN own in the land-a conspiracy between
darkness and vice-without combining and
keeping we'll compaeted with locked shields,
concentrating our votes and making each
one tell in the contest?
The question as to the plan of making our
nominations should be settled by the maj6ri-
ty. We cannot rightfully assume that in a
party like ours, SO sanctifed by its glorious
motives, any plan determined upon by the
ruling voice can be intended for public i'm
jury. It's the duty of every Conservative,
whatever may be his opinions, to yield to
the will Of the majority and stand by the
party. 1t would be gross desertion Of the
common cause to go off in passion and re-
sist where resistance is disloyalty to the
highest impulses which can actuate men to
political duty.
When the party was first organized it fol-
lowed the usual plan of parties in making its
nominations in convention. That plap soon be-
came the object Of great complaint. Men pro-
claimed that the conventions were packed
that the places of meeting for the election OF
delegates were too limited to admit all who de
sired to be present; that the more energetic
and least decorous crowded them to the ex
clusion of the better class of citizens; and
that thus the making of nominations iel
into the hands OF the men who were not sc
capable Of naming public officers and repre-
sentatlves az were those who were excluded
from the meetings.
The complaints became so loud that The
party deemed it prudent to change the plan
and took the nominating power from conyen