The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-02-08
The Leaders We Need-The Stale
Convention.
Tue Petersburg Appeal says:

We do not think that the preferences of
the committee as to the proper time and
place for the session Of the Democratic Ma
tional Convention are Of any great practical
significance at this time. The people are
anxious for q convention to be called and
held in order that while their delegates are
selecting representatives, of Virginia in the
National Convention they can also rc0rgan-
iZe the State Committee with reference to Sc
curing greater harmony fidelity, and eifi-
cheney in its future operations. The Con-
servatives Of the State have seen about
enough of the display by CONSERVATIVE
leaders, or those in positions of leadership,
of disorganizing spirit and of open and
even boldly fluuted opposition to the action
aud the ticket of the party. Unless We very
scatly mistake the temper of the people
they will see that the right kind OF men are
assigned to the duties of Conservative COM
mand next time, and will properly rebuke
any unfathful stewards, III any degree,
whether high or low, who have advocated
party discipline with one breath while they
counseled disatfection in the next and set
the example of mutiny against regular nomi-
nations and the regular action Of the party.
The Petersburg Ne,os says:
10 1852, '5G, and go delegates to the Ma
tiona Convention were appointed by sepa-
rate and distinct conventions. Ia 1868 they
were appointed at the State Convention i'll
Richmond by separate meeting of the del.
egates of each congressional district respec-
lively, and perhaps they were appointed in
the slme way in 1872 to the Greeley Convex
tiog. One thing to our. mind is certain, and
that is, that each congressional district should
either appoint its own delegates to national
convention by district conventions of their
own calling, or by their respective delega-
tons assembled in separate caucus at the
State Convention. Any other plan is GEN.
tralization Of the most dangerous kind, and
places it in the power Of packed conyen.
ton of designing politicians to dictate the
whole Virginia delegation aud to ignore the
will Of any portion Of the minority!
Our representation in the Democratic
National Convention should be delegated as
our representation 10 the Congress of the
United States are delegated-two at large
and the balance By districts-and should. go
there like Congressman go: free, to be the
exclusive judges of their own action. We
don't want any packing in Richmond.
The Shenandoah Democrat says:
The approaching presidential campaign re-
QuireS that we shall have State convention to
select delegates to the National Convention,
appoint electors, and do other things there.
unto pertaining. The time for holding such
q convention it is now in order to discuss.
During our brief sojourn in Richmond we
conyersed with leading members of the party
in Virginia, and heard the opinion frequently
aud earnestly expressed that our organic alton
needs very thorough preparatory overhaul
ing. The fact is undeniable that its harmony
has been seriously marred and its efficiency
greatly impaired by variety Of unproptious
circumstances. In many instances the party
discipline has been set at open defiance by
malcontents and mutineers; in Others, de-
gree of laXity has been connived at, or at
least permitted, by persons entrusted with
primary authority, which has led to results
scarcely less deplorable than open aud ayoW.
ed apostacy. Especially has serious trouble
grown up in Richmond, where small and
determined faction, under the guise of reform,
wel!-pigh succeeded in disrupting the Conser-
VatiTe party in the elections last fall. Encour.
aged by this detection in the very citadel Of
our organization, the soreheads in other To-
calties raised the standard Of revolt and
made dangerous gaps in the ranks. The
review enforces the conviction that it is essen
tal to our security in the future to take the
most vigorous and prudent measures to heal
all discussions and to provide as far as pos
sibie against a repetition Of these scandalous
scenes In consideration of the vast inter-
ests dependent upon the continued ascend
ancy of the Conservative party at this criti-
cal coDjuneture OF national affairs we cor
daily approve the suggestion that q general
convention be called in Richmond at an early
day say before the municipal elections-for
the purpose of correcting all abuses, redress
ing all grievances, restoring order, and per-
fectlng the necessary arrangements for enter.
ing upon the campaign which is before Us
with energy and determination. .s,.a
We hope that our c,ajjutors of the Press
will aid us in putting this subject in its pro-
per light before the people. nc. our mind 1t
is a matter of great moment, and one which
demands prompt and efficient action, There
is no other method Of meeting the exigency
as it deserves TO be met but through the
agency of State convention.