The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-08-08
The Convention.

The virginia SOnScntioh VI eH0 SOAa'
vatiyc party 10 nominate candidates for the
Offices Of Governor, observation-disclosures
and Attorney-General, will meet in the
Theatre, in this city, to-day at II O'Clock.
It promises to be the most extraordinary
political body, in some respects, that ever
met in the State. 1t will be characteristic
OF some new expedients and moralities IN
political life that were not even dreamed OF
in old tines We trust that the Convention
may pass through the excitement ana pas
sion that are anticipated without Damage 10
either the party or the State ana 'n"' .n'
most proper men may be chosen Tor tue '"'-
portant offices that arc to be hiled.
It is not possible to disguise the fact tnat
there i a spirit of eager partisanry aroused
At this time that has had no equal IN times
bv.cone: a spirit that is so bent on success
that it pauscs never to consider the pro-
priety or the justice Of eNpcdients by
which success is sought. This partisanry
is in a great degree wholly personal. The
cause of the people and of the State is not
thought Of 1t is only an Individual that
commands the efforts aud tl& zeal OF the
partisans. The State has ceased to be the
object OF devotion. This comes OF the fact
that the times are hard, and the am
bilious individual pays literally for SER
vice In money, food, and wet gro
ceries. The State enters not the arena.
She neither arrays the flesh-pots nor
do her faithful followers "clink" any
" cannikins" OF her providing. The fol-
lowers OF mere men are fed and wasSaii-
cd, and swear allegiance to their leader.
Tho dignity and maternal relation OF the
State are forgotten, and for the pleasure
and excitement Of personal seryility, with
its rewards, men struggle in the arena ana
seem coptent with that service which de-
grades them to the condition OF followers
OF ,aen, when they might by serving the
noble cause Of the public preserve alike the
respect Of their iellow-citizensa and OF them
selves, and perform the noblest duty in this
world.
1t is this personal allegiance that is de-
moralizng our people and bringing on the
period OF more positive conflict, and we see
no extravaganza in the suggestion that lml-
tators of MILO and his gladiators may IN
time appear in our own arena. BAD as the
view OF the athletic array may be, far more
terrible is the apparition OF those agents OF
corruption who wear the collar OF retalnerS,
and can find no better reason for their man
worship than that they have lined their
pockets with the fees OF their masters.
Of
nifty and accomplishments, steal through
the walks OF respectable life, while they are,
like the worms of the sea, permeatlnS the
keel OF the noble ship OF State, and rapidly
destroying all the internal strength that
may protect her from falling into utter dis
order and pitiful weakness.
Governments have their rise, progress,
and downfall. Virginia has had her
day OF heroic glory, and the brllllancy
OF her fame is yet too vivid, too fresh one
would think. to allow the present genera
ton to forget it. Her progress Is still dig
nified, and aSsuredly she is yet far from that
point in her career where begins her down.
fall. We shall be able to form some more
definite opinion OF the state Of the Vir-
ginia public virtue to-day. We shall not, |
we believe, be disappointed in the eXpecta-
ton that there is yet force and patriotism |
and bravery enough in the sons OF Vir-
ginia to oyerawe the passions OF personal
partisanry. We trust that the Conven-
ton will be one OF de!iberation. Personal
strife we hope may not be allowed to pre-
cipitate disorder and unsettle the IudS-
ments OF men, while trick and corruption
shall reign and proceed with their devices
that tend to bring the Commonwealth to
inglorious dishonor.
Let yirginians stand by their State and
permit no stigma to be inflicted upon her
proud fame to-day.