Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-01-18
THE CONSERV ATIVE PARTY IN
THE LEGISLATURE.


The Conse, vative members of the legis-
latuue who hold conferences with Gen. W.
III. F. Lee presiding, unanimously adopted
Tuesday the report of the committee on the
legality of their conferences as represent
ing the Conservative party of the State.
It is long and, as the newspaper phrases it
comprehensive - Technically the Lee
conference has the best claim, being the
first caucus held of Conservatives of both
branches of the legislature; on its party
merits it has the best claim, because it ex-
cludes Independents, something the House
caucus ought to have had the courage to
do, and as to leadership its claim over
shadows the rival body as much as such
men as John w. Daniel, Thomas S. Be-
cock, Taliaferro, Echols, Hanger, Cogh1ll
and the rest overshadow such leaders as
Moffett, Fulkerson, Massey Quesenberry
and others. If the matter should be forced
to an issue the people Of Virginia would
not hesitate long as to whether they should
follow John W. Daniel of Lynchburg or
Abram Fulkerson of Smyth. Without Civ
ing the argument of the committee we
give their conclusion
The tine has come, in our judgment.
when we must make firm and resolute
stand by the principles which we have af-
firmed so often, or submit to demoraliZa-
ton and overthrow by the fundamentally
OF those who claim the Conservative name
for their own protection, while at the same
time they marshal and lead the forces of
the Republican party, which. in the main,
sent them here as the avowed opponents
of our organization, seeking within its
lines to impair It's efficiency and to break
it down.
With the Radical p2rty now holding the
Federal Senate and the Presidential chair,
bringing all the patronage and power o.
vast official retlnue to bear to perpetuate
its power, with :. nucleus of opp,s ton in
our own midst which only needs such ALI
ances as Independents and boilers can af-
ford to array formidable loo il party
against us, we hold it to be the duty of all
Conservatives to present an unbroken front
and to uphold with unShrinking hands the
noble organization that has preserved our
SURFACES from Acknowledgement and our
property from confScation. and which, be-
ing omnipotent against open enemies, finds
now it's greatest danger in internal dlSSen-
sion.
Without personal aims to attain or per-
SOnai amUlClOnS TO SuDSefVes we nave ueeHl-
ed our course not only justified, but neces-
STATED by the dangers which surround us.
Trusting that our brother Conservative. 8.
regularly chosen as we were. who have not
vet associated themselves with us. may SEE
this matter as we do, and may unite with
us for the public good, we reiterate our
cordial invitation to them to attend our
conference and give us their cooperation.
This committee was instructed to report,
also, whether, in their opinion, it is expe-
dent that this Joint caucus shall make
nominations of all officers to be elected at
this session of the General Assembly, in
GLIDING judges of the circuit courts: but
for reasons which we deem sufficient, and
which we think it unnecessary now 70 de-
clare. we recommend that 40 action on
that subject be taken at present.
G. T. SMITH,
B. F. BLAND,
JtHN W. DANIEL,
JAMES W. MARSHALL,
of the Senate;
THOMAS s. BoCOCK,
VIM. B. TALIAFERREo,
r. A. CoGHILf.
&. A. BOHANNoN,
of the House.