The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-05-20
virginia at st. Louis.

The unfortunate action Of the Ohio Deni-
! ocrafic State Convention has rendered it
absolutely necessary that Virginia should
send TO st. Louis the best and most influen-
tial men to be found in the State-men upon
whose fidelity to their trust, sound tudg-
meat, 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
Democrat or not. The insane folly OF
the Ohio Democrats will deyolve upon the
southern delegates the duty of deciding
whether the platform OF the party is more
important than the party ltself-whether
we shall save the vessel itself, or content our
selves with marking oat its course on an
ocean which unwisdom may prevent it from
ever touching.
The northern people are divided upon 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 if by SO
doing they can gain q victory over the other
side. Whilst the South desires nothing else
so much as change OF Administration, and
cannot by any means afford to allow any
such questions rs those we have referred to
to govern her action, she may find al
her hopes blasted unless she send
to ST. Louis men Of profound sagacity, pc,
litical experience, and incorruptible intcS.
ritv. These delegates must make the plat
form for the party. The northern delegates
cannot do ii for themselves. And it is not
going too far to say that the southern dele
gates should agree to no platform but one
upon which the Democratic candidate for
President can certainly carry New York,
New Jersey, and Connecticut. We can't
possibly carry Ohio, Illinois, Michigan,
Iowa, Minnesota, Or Wisconsin. In fact,
Indiana is the only one OF the north
western States in which we can even
so much as hope to succeed. What then :?
Shall we make platform to please any OF
these States but Indiana: Surely not. But
shall we make one to please Indiana: IN
doubtedly, il Indiana agrees with Nlr.
HENDRICKS in being in favor OF hard money.
And il Indiana does so agree with him, then
Indiana, New York, New Jersey, Connect
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
it. because whether for hard money or not,
their highest interests demand that they
shall support 4 candidate who can be elected.
II, however, Indiana does not agree with
Mr.. HENDRICKS, then necessarily Mr.. HEN
BRICKS and Indiana must go overheard with
Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, and the rest OF the
northwestern States. 1t would never dc to
nominate candidate VINO couldn't get the
vote of his own State.
The Virginia Convention must see to 1t
that delegates are sent TO st. Louis who
have the holdness and the ability to origi-
nate, follow up, and make successful, apollcy
such as that which we have indicated. 1t
will never do to permit the shameful quar-
rels OF the Ohio aspirants to pull downthe
temple Of the Democratic party. 1t will
never do to stake our success upon any
policy that will not command the hearty
support OF the northern Democratic States,
which are California, Oregon, Colorado,
New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
With the assistance OF these the southern
States can elect to the presidency any cam
didate. 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.