Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1880-06-04
Stunteatnt4
STAUNTON, VA.
FRIDAY MORNING. JUNE 4, 1880.

is one question that will be much Of
tener heard of between now and Novem-
Der than either REIMBURSEMENT or ssFunder-
ISM" 1t has already been put in shape by
gentlemen who quite at sea until the assem-
bling of the Readjuster July convention,
feel that they must say something and fall
back on the easiest thing to say which does
not commit them to any policy or to any
principle. They say. in their efforts to put
in the time between now and July, that
the recent Democratic Convention at Rich
mond arrogated to itself the sole cham
pionship of Democracy in Virginia. In
one sense of the term it is true and in
another not. So far from arrogatng any
peculiar championship of Democracy, the
calls for every Conservative county meet
ing to send delegates to that convention
were invitations-jn many instances ap-
peals, and in many almost entreaties to
every man who intended supporting the
Cincinnati nominees to take part. Every
man-Readjuster, Funder, white, colored
monwealth who intended to vote the Ma
tional Democratic ticket, was invited to
participate in the State Democratic Con-
yention at Richmond: These meetings
were called through committees that had
existed as long as the Conservative party
had. There was nobody else to call them.
The delegates sent to that convention. it
was known, had among other duties, the
reorganization of the Conservative party
machinery. Did the Readjusters want a
s'reform'' in the party, here was their
chance. Did they want the ''obnoxious'
Committee Of Thirteen who had read them
out, removed, here was their opportunity.
Here was Reform, Revenge and Power all
within their grasp. For if they constitute
a majority of the Democratic party of Wiz.
ginia there could be no doubt about their
obtaining all three, and to the three would
have been added the prospect OF Virginia
wheeling into the Democratic line with
the old forty thousand majority. Many of
their party responded to the calls with
their presence, but the greater part were
beset and overcome by printed circulars
from headquarters and the advice of local
leaders and staid away. So far from ar
rogating any championship the Conserva-
tive calls had asked everybody to share it.
What this convention did is now matter
of history. Readjuster names were prom
inent in it, no act taken by it had any re-
ference to the division on State questions
now existing in the party, the party was
thoroughly reorganized, new men were put
nF
Readjuster wing had been so denunciatory.
Every step taken was taken with a single
eye to the success of the National Demo
cratic ticket in Virginia next fall.
But in the other sense the arrogation
of sole championship of the Democracy
might be said to be literally true. While
that convention sat in Richmond it was
literally the sole champion IN Virginia of the
National Democratic party. Its members
were assailed with abuse from Readjusters
and Republicans. Straight Republican
electoral ticket, mixed ticket, unpledged
ticket-every ticket had its friends among
the opponents of that body, save and ex
cept Democratic electoral ticket. Its
members stood there the only representa-
tive body in Virginia whom the NationaI
Democratic party could call its friend. It
was sole championship forced on them
and they stood nobly by it.
We say these things will be discussed
between now and November and it is well
to remember how the present state Of af-
fairs came about. We cannot foretell the
action of the July convention, nor can
those who are going to~it as delegates, nor
even the noted politician that runs the
machine, but If it is unfavorable to an
united Democracy in this State we want
to keep the public mind in fresh remem-
brance of the causes that led to it. The
action of the Committee of Thirteen
was the mistake of thirteen men. It was
rectiied as soon as the party itself assem-
bled in convention and took the reins
again. It cannot now be plead as an excuse
for keeping apart one hundred thousand
Democrats in National election. Nor
will it be taken as sufficient reason by
the lifelong Democrats Of this Valley.
We have said this much, though we ut
terly condemn the Irrelevant discussion as
10 WHO Was III Id ulU Ill ing dOouU CiIC
present division in the Democratic party Of
Virginia. While among those who publicly
and most decidedly condemned the action
Of the State Committee when it was taken
yet we are well aware that those who
differed with us then and the few who
still differ with us have much to say on
their side, the saying of which would only
be absolutely useless when the party is just
entering on Presidential fight which has
no connection whatever with the State
debt question.
The North American Review for June,
published by ID. Appleton & Co., New
York, is received. The third and closing
article Of a series by Geo. Ticknor Curtis
on Mcclellan IS last services to the Repub-
lic,'' is so interesting as to make us regret
not seeing the first two papers. The arti-
Gle on divorces in New England" by DR..
Nathan Allen, gives some startling facts
about the lightness in which matrimonial