Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-06-09

per, so that the public may judge between
us. am aware, that for some reason,
your journal has occupied a position OF
antagonism to me, politically, but cannot
allow myself to suppose, that you would
wilfully misrepresent me.
From the close Of the late war to the
present hour, my best efforts have been
dedicated to the rescue OF Virginia from
oppression, and the restoration OF good
government to her people. At no small
cost of time and money, and with the GER
tainty Of mourning temporary odium,
made several trips to Richmond and Wash
ington, to cooperate with other gentle
men in obtaining such notifications OF the
Acts of Congress, submitting the "Under-
wood Constitution" to the people OF Vlr-
ginia as would enable them to strike from
it the odlouS test oath and dlsfranchlslng
clauses.
When the great convention great in
numbers as well as in the character of the
men who composed it, met in Richmond
to organize the Conservative party, was
unanimously elected to preside over its
deliberations. l was, therefore. one of
those who called the party into existence,
and from that time to the present, l have
been it's steadfast and cOnsis tent advocate
and supporter, because | believed it's sue
cess was essential to the best interests of
the State.
But 1 wish it to be distinctly understood
that I do not regard myself as bound to
surrender, blindly, to others, my right to
Judge of the means best calculated to pro-
mote the interest of the party. claim the
right to be guided by my own concience
and judgment, and when see others, pro-
Tossing to act in the name of the party,
urging a line of policy which deem un-
wise, inexpedient and injurious to it, L
cannot forego my privilege, as freeman,
to protest and to resist-.otherwise, we
must all become slaves, and Patriotism be
made subordinate to Party.
If you had said that did not give "aid
and comfort to the late attempt to make
war upon and turn out the members OF the
sOld Council" all of whom were good and
true Conservatives, you would have stated
what was strictly true. l did not approve
that movement. On the contrary, depre-
Gated 1t as fraught with evil. knew, from
long personal, political, and official associa-
ton with them, that P. Byron Hoge, VIM.
B. Kayser, M. P. Funkhouser. John B.
Evans, John W. Abby, Isaac Witt, B. L.
Bagby and Thomas A. Bledsoe, were as
true Conserva tives, as estimable gentle
men, and as faithful public servants as
could be found within the corporate limits.
They were my lifelong friends, and [ could
not be induced to join in a hue and cry
against them, at the dictation OF any one.
/ could not see that Conservatism had
anything to do with an assault on Conser-
vatives. [ could not see how the interests
of the Conservative party would be- ad-
vanced, by making war upon some OF lts
most meritOrious members, thereby crea-
ting feuds and divisions in our own ranks
1ictr had fpaIinr
on the eve of Presidential election OF
unprecedented Importance.
If the opposition had been limited to the
Mayor and others calling themselves Re
publicans, the case would have been differ
emit, But when the war was made on my
Conservative friends, I could not Join in it.
l thought saw in the whole movement,
nothing but damage to the Conservative
party.
And the report contained in your paper,
of the result of the election, proves certain
ly, that my apprehensions were we'll foun-
ded.
In all former elections, the Conservatives
have carried both Wards of the city, and
have given an aggregate majority OF about
200.
In the last election, according to your
standard of Conservatism, the Second
Ward went against the Conservatives, and
the majority for the Conservative candi-
date fol- Mayor was reduced to about 1874.
In your own analysis of the vote, you
state, that while Hughes received, in his
contest with Kemper, but III white votes,
Bickle received 1872
This exhibit, certainly, does not prove
that the interests of the Conservative par
ty were promoted by the movement which
you so highly approved.
If we look to the election of COuncilmen
we will find that the result was equally
unfavorable to the purposes of those who
inaugurated the intestine war.
AS have already said, heretofore, both
Wards of the city gave Conservative ma
jorities. But in the recent contest. you
report, that in the End Ward, the vote for
the Radical Candidate for Mayor was 297,
while the Conservative candidate received
only 269. and in this Ward the old Coun-
cilmen were reelected.
In view of these facts, respectfully ask,
was it wise-was it IN the interest OF the
Conservative party, on the eve of the great
National contest, which is approaching, to
weaken it's organization, by introducing
this petty local feud? Ought we not rath-
er, to have adopted policy OF conclllatlon
tending to allay strife and bitterness in
our own party? When the Presidential
election. in which such grave issues are
IHNOlVeu, COueS tpOu 10, iiC-Ao ioll, 10 oiioAO
not reason to apprehend that the seeds OF
dlscord which have been so unwisely sown
will bring forth harvest of alienation and
indifference Does it make Conservatives
more active and energetic in the cause, to
charge them with being lukeWarm, or un-
faithful to their party?
In conclusion, will say, that thought
the movement was blunder when it was
commenced-I think so still acted on
my convictions, but [ assailed nobody
wished every one to act according to his
best judgment-I fear the evil consequent
ces will be ielt for years to come-many of
our best citizens thought as [ did hope
the result may prove that we were mista-
ken.
It is useless now,' to repine over the
past-let US, by wise councils, in the future
seek to repair any damage that may have
been done, and endeavor to restore har-
mony in our ranks.
Respectfully, yours &C.,