The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-08-14

was made by this committee, under pre-
tence of any delegation of authority
from the Conservative party, to defin,
what was orthodoxy and what hetero
doxy touching that measure.
We desire to record the further fac
that when in December, 1878, certain
persons, claiming to be Conservatives
in conjunction with protested Radicals
and office-holders, and in direct con.
PREVENTION of the party platform, organ.
lied society with the avowed objects
of electing members of the Legislature
in opposition to any adjustment of the
debt, and favoring increased taxation
this committee claimed no prerogative
in the promises and pretended no dele
CATION of authority to define whether
those parties were acting within or with
out the pale of conservatism.
we desire to place on record the fur
Their fact that it is still an open question
whether the terms of the act known as
the McCulloch bill can be complied with
without an increase of taxation; that it
was disputed question when it was
passed; that its opponents then and now
strenuously insist, and claim to de-
monstrate, and some of its advocates ad :
mitted when it was passed, that it could
not be executed without. a direct breach
of that clause of the platform of 1877,
which forbade any increase of taxation,
In recorded support of this assertion
stand the declarations;on the floor of the
Senate of Senators Phlegar, of Mont
gomery Lee, of Prince William; and
johnson, of Richmond, then and now
advocates of this bill.
Under these circumstances we consid-
q hn - A..
known as the McCulloch bill, shall re-
main upon the statute-books or be re-
peated, as one upon which Conserva-
tlves may honestly and properly differ,
and while cOnceding that the fate of the
bill may be determined by a discussion
of its merits, we deny the power of this
committee to refuse to Conservatives the
right to discuss it, or require them to
accept it as principle of party faith
1t must be manifest, in this view, that
the solicitude of the majority is for the
success of the McCulloch bill and not for
the unity of the Conservative party,
Denying the right of the committee,
acting unanimously or by majority, to
prescribe articles of party faith other
than those laid down by the people in
convention assembled denying the
right of the committee to enforce or seek
to enforce through the party machinery,
or by official manifesto, the individual
opinions of majority of the body as to
any public measure;
Denying their right to organize can
vass in which but on faction in the
party would be allowed to present their
views on question as to which the par
ty policy has never been defined by the
only competent authority. and upon
which Conservatives are known to be
divided;
Denying the wisdom, if the right ex-
listed, of adopting policy which can
only result in the disruption of those
elements which, combined, have made
the Conservative party powerful
Convinced that no people will or
should submit to such wanton abuse
o! power and attempt to suppress their
rlghG OF Tree speech and free opinion
Believing that the adoption of this adj
dress or manifesto by the majority arises
rather from purpose and desire on the
part of the majority, in conjunction with
others of their faction, to coerce and
pervert the machinery of the party to
the accomplishment of their peculiar
views than from any anxiety about the
unity of the party
Considering this action of the majority
as tantamount to an attempt at excom-
munication of all Conservatives who diff
fer from the faction promulgating this
address, we are forced to dissent from
Inc views of the majority, and to appeal .
TO the Conservative people against this
lsurpation of authority, which, though
ooweriess to resist, we can still expose
1t the assumption upon which this
committee is acting be conceded, and
'he power be yielded them to make and
platforms; to determine nv
partial and prejudiced Judgment the
oyalty or disloyalty of those whom thew
avor or oppose; to use and abuse the
United trust conf1ded to them bv an en-
ire party to further their peculiar views
md to advance the ends of one faction
y the party; then the Conservative |
state Committee, from having been the
mere servant of the party, is now trans
ormed into dangerous and aristocratic
espotism, from which no popular right
you'd be safe, and from whose dictation
here can be no escape.
Conservatism consists in principles of
1nlch no man can be unwillingfy de.
rlved. Inc name is prostituted when.
ought to be applied to the coercion or
oppression of the popular will,
AS officials of the Conservative party.
here is no measure within the scone Of |
ne authority of this committee, tending
harmonize party differences, to which
e would not gladly assent.
AS 1t is. we can do nothing but record
1Is our protest against this usurpation.
we cal! upon the Conservative people
| virginia to remain true to the princi-
les OF conservatism, and to resent and
,slst this attempt to restrain their right
advocacy or opposition to public meas
res affecting their rights, their liberties. ,
nd their material welfare.
V. d. GRoNER.
R. A. WISE, ,
Delegates from Second District.