The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-08-25

The Address and the Conservatives.
The Bedford Star, published at Liberty,
Bedford county, comes boldly and squarely
out for the Conservative address and for sus.
tanning the Conservative resolutions. We
make some quotations from the healthy and
solid views Of the Star:
The State Committee has done its duty
well, and we think the sentiment which
complains that it exceeded its powers II de-
clarng that those who are antagonlzing its
organization ought not to be recognized is
altogether too liberal. We do not believe
in latitudinarianism in politics any more
than in religion. 1t is one thing to be
broad, liberal, catholic, and charitable, but
quite another to sacrifice the very es-
sepce Of truth and abandon principle
to save the feelings or secure nomi-
nal union with those whose self. conceit
and ambition will be satisfied with nothing
but the abandonment OF the most sacred
and cherished principles upon the part OF
the majority. 1t should be remembered
that very large portion OF the best Con-
servasiyes in the State sacrificed all that
they could-went to the utmost limit con-
ceiYable, without surrender OF the funda-
mental principles OF common honesty and
right-in consenting to the adjustment
agreed upon by the Convention OF 1871.
The adoption of this platform was q
compromise to secure the harmony OF
the party. Those who felt they had
surrendered much to accomplish this
have Kept faith. No canvass OF opposing
views on the debt question was made in the
gubernatorial election. No issue was made
to distract the party. The election, by
agreement-tacit, but nevertheless as bind
ing as agreement could be-was to decide
the plan OF adjustment which should carry
out the Convention platform. Supporters
OF the funding bill and Readjusters OF every
stripe had fair play in the party. La this
way Massey became the regular Con-
sentative candidate, and was elected
senator. The Readiusters OF various
stripes succeeded in getting large major
ity OF both houses, solely, we believe, be-
cause of the iiDeraIity which gave them the
opportunity to use the party machinery.
They took control Of legislation. They
passed the Barbour bill and then the b.
cock-Fowler bill, and these failing, these
same men passed the present settlement
bill by majority Of two thirds OF the Gen.
eral Assembly. This bill, compromise,
perhaps the only compromise which
| would command the consent of the credit
| ors, meets fully the conditions OF the Con-
vention platform. The pledge has been
| redeemed, and we can now get rid OF this
| ycxed question by honestly carrying out
the provisions Of the bill. In no other
way can we get peace, and get rid OF a
question which has barassed the people and
injured the State in every department OF
enterprise and industry.
The Star proceeds to inquire whether
we ought, at the bidding OF less than a third
OF the men elected through the liberal pol
icy OF the Conservatives to the last Legisla-
ture, to overthrow The work of years, to undo
what was accomplished by the platform Of
1877, and $50 back to incessant agitation
and wrangIe"? This it rejects upon every
principle Of justice and public interest and
honor. The Star concludes with this de-
clded opinion:
|. The time has passed for timid councils.
A milk.and.water policy would be 1atal.
Flags of truce are out OF place. Bring up
your guns, place every one in positlon: OF.
ganize all your forces, and fight TINS hgaI
out for the peace and dignity and honesty
OF the Commonwealth. A party when mas
not integrity enough to stand oy It's own
work and defend it against all corners Is noI
worth a button. ..-ef ytg#sr