The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-01-18
Words of Warning.

| The following communication Is lFotn one
of the gentlemen most prominent in organ
ling the. Conservative party OF Virginia.
we commend bis warning to the attention
| of the General Assembly: ~
TO the Conservative Party OF VirSii:-
ia---The Pnbsic-Debf Question.
I have been an attentive observer OF The
proceedings OF the Legislature since 1t re-
assembled on the 7th instant, and L have
come 10 the conclusion that there is but Ut
| tie prospect OF its doing anything etectuai
towards the settlement OF the debt question.
| This would, in my Judgment, be most
unfortunate, not only tofhc Commonwealth,
| but to the Conservative party.
The people, ct the last election. elected a
| large majority OF so.caled Conservatives in
both branches OF the Legislature. These
gentlemen were elected. as they have adj
mitted, with srecial reference to the settle
ment OF the debt question. The power TO
settle, and the responsibility OF making a
settlement, therefore, rest with them. a
failure to settle will be n grievous disap'
pointment to the people. 1t will also De
serious injury to The commercial ana hnan.
ciaI prosperity of the State. And, Afear, II
will be q death-blow to the Conservative
party. 1''" ..'~a
whenever party proves itself incomlpe'
tent to deal with great measure OF pupnC
-policy,the people will require that u snail
give place to another that can deai Win y
II the Conservative party should now &C.
knowledge its inability to settle this ques-
jtion OF the public debt, what will be the
consequences?
It win go into the next contest hope
lessly divided into two factions OF nearly
equal numerical strength, and eXasperated
against each other, by angry feelings. Is II
not plain that under these circumstances
the Republican party will hold the balance
OF power, and turn the scales as they may
choose? s,e..
Will not tue failure Of the Conservative
party TO settle this question be virtual alb
dlcation OF it's authority and an appeal TO
1.-The Republicans to do what they admit they
are unable to do? shy y so: .:5tsa..l..
Can any man, calling himseif-a Conserva-
ttiye. desire TO bring about such condition
tof things?. Yet it is plain that unless the
Conservative party succeed in settling the
debt question the tendency is inevitably to
transfer the power OF making its settle
mentto the Radicals. 5:.st. a -
| It must also be remembered that when
you once bring fragment OF the Conserva-
| tiyes to cooperate with and rely on the Re
publican party for success on one partiea-
lar question, q fusion with that party on
other questions will soon follow; and as
the Republican party is more numerous
than either fragment OF the Conservative
party. the faction which co0perates with
and relies on the Republican party will III
timately be absorbed into and controlled
by it..
| It may, therefore, be set down as "fixec
fact" that unless the Conservative party de-
termines to sacrifice minor differences OF
opinion and settle the question, in less than
three years from this date the Republican
party will substantially. il not 60 aonaiae
be in the ascendant ia Virginia.
II We persist in remaining divided on this
question, and go before Che people with oul
controversies about it, the Republicans must
vote on one side or the other. Both factions
will seek their votes, and whichever sue
ceeds in winning them will be successful
and owe its success to the Republicans
The Republicans will thus become thu
controlling element in the new combination
land it will have to choose its candidates ant
shape its platform to suit their taste.
No one eau fail to perceive that this mus
end in the surrender to Republican rule
Are Conservatives prepared to make thi
4 Surrender? The, events OF the next fev
weeks will show. ]. !. 3.saI5 SPECTATOR.