The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-10-02
Southern Republicans.

Inc washington LLepuOt1cuW OF Gue A1Iu
gives an account of a meeting of Southern
Republicans, in that city last week, and in
dicates the programme they have formu-
lated for the regulation Of Republican
delegates from the Southern States at the
next National Convention ct the Republican
party. "These delegates will be asked to
meet at the place at which the next national
convention is to be held, at least two days
before the meeting Of the convention, the
purpose of this being to hold preliminary
convention Of Southern delegates, with the
view Of unifying their action in voting for
nominees in the national convention. The
reason given for this course is that
the time has come when Southern Repubii-
cans must maintain their rights in their own
party, and trade, if necessary, for recogni-
ton. They believe that, powerless as they
may be in the national election, they form
an important factor in the national conven-
ton, and, by acting solidly in body, may
be able to name the next Republican presi-
dental nominee. 1t is proposed that
Southern delegates will organize at their
preliminary meeting, and appoint COM
mttee to confer with Northern delegates
and the most prominent candidates, and to
solicit positive assurances from them of
what the South may EXPECT. They will also
insist upon certain planks in tde platform,
aud the candidate who will promise most in
recognition of the Southern Republicans
will receive the solid vote of all the delegates
from the Sonth.'' While objection, in gen.
eral terms, cannot be urged against the or
ganization of the Republicans of the several
States of the South, with view to partici-
pating in the nomination Of the next Re-
publican candidate for President, we think
those Who took action on the occasion above
alluded. to vastly oyer-stepped the mark, when
they announced that the object is barter for
position and dickering with candidates for an
exchange of benefits. The whole scheme is
impractcabe and reprehensible, so far as
the commercial feature of it is concerned.
In the first place, no Republican, who is fit
to represent his party in the high position OF
candidate for the Presidency, would think OF
entering into negotiations such as are indi-
Gated in the proceedings of the Washington
meeting; and second, no delegation which
would prostitute delegated trusts to Il traffic
for place and profit would represent the
honest Republican sentiment of the South.
There are principles Of government to be
maintained, and interests common to the
whole country to be subserved, which are far
more important than the selfish ends of
mere politicians. Consistent devotion to
these considerations will more surely win for
the Southern Republicans the recognition
such adherence deserves, than any political
dlckeripg affecting the interests OF particu-
lar aspirants, or the ambitions Of less pre-
tentious stage.players. That Southern Re-
publicans have been overlooked, and not
given that consideration their courage and
sacrifices should command, no impartial
observer will deny. But this is no excuse
for prostituting the trusts CT party to the
purposes Of bargain and corruption, and in
flicting lasting stain upon their own name
and character.