The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-07-15
MEETING OF STATE COMMITTEES.
A VERY FULL ATTENDANCE-AN EvENING
SESSION WITH CLOSED DOORs-A STIR
RING ADDRESS TO THE DEMOCRATS AND
CONSERVATIVES OF VIRGINIA, &C., &C.

A meeting OF the State Conservative
Central Committee was held yesterday in
the old biliardroom OF the Ballard House.
! The following members were present:
| First district: f. e. Meredith, Dr. W.
A. Thorn. and Judge j. II. c. Jones.
Second district: l.. X. Edwards.
| Third district: Captain John M. Hndgin,
Charles u. Williams, and r. II. Cardwell.
Fourth district: Robert Catlett, Colonel
r. B. Berkeley, and =. w. Venable.
Fifth district: John T. Keen aud George
Z. Dennis.
Sixth district j. B. Fcklin and Captain
Stephen Adams.
Seventh district: Micsjah Woods, Major
A. Koiner, and w. d. Peachy.
Eighth district: s. S. Turner and Robert
Beverly.
Ninth district: c.. F. Trigg and T. w.
Spindle.
Mr.. Absolom Koiner presided, with Mr..
John Bell Bigger as secretary.
Mr.. Charles u. Williams, fIom the SUBJ
committee appointed, presented an address
10 the Conservative party OF Virginia.
| After the address had been read Colonel
Robert Beverly offered the following reso-
luton:
Resolved. That the committee has neither
the power nor the disposition to make any
change in the electoral ticket.
There was some discussion, participated
in by Colonel Beverly, DR.. Thorn, Major ;.
s. Turner. Captain J. NJ. Hudgin, Mr.. +.
f. Meredith, Mr.. c. f. Trigg, ex-Mayor
Kelley, and others.
Mr.. Trigg read spirited letter on the
situation from Wyndham Robertson. Esq.
Mr.. Fickln offered the following rs 4
substitute for Colonel Beyerly's resolutions:
ResOlUed, That it il the unanimous
opinion Of this committee that 1t is the duty
OF every Democratic and Conservative
voter in this State to vote for the electoral
ticket fav0ring Hancock and English which
was put forth by the State Convention OF
May 10Th.
Both the resolution and the substitute
were passed by, and, on motion OF Mr..
Hudein, recess was taken until O'Clock
p. NJ.
EVENING SESSION.
The committee reassembed at O'Clock
7. NJ Mr.. KOiner in the cnair.
After the meeting had been called to
order, Mr.. Meredith aiose and called atten-
ton 10 The published proceedings OF the
meeting OF the committee OF the morning,
and stated that the understanding was that
no publicity was to be given to those pro-
ceedngs, and inasmuch as a breach Of the
privilege OF the committee had been COM
mitted, he would move the exclusion OF all
the reporters.
The motion was afterwards amended by
Messrs. FIckln and Hudgin so as to invite
the reporters present to withdraw. The
motion was not put to the meeting, but as
| the sentiment OF the committee seemed very
unanimously in favor OF a secret session and
the exclusion OF the reporters, all the re-
presentatiyes OF the press present retired.
The committee, after some discussion,
finally amended the address in some par
ticuars and authorized its publication.
Below will be found the
ADDRESS OF THE COMMITTEE.
The State Central Committee OF the Con-
seryative Democratic party OF Virginia
deem il their duty at the present iuncture
OF affairs to appeal 10 the voters OF the State
to uni'e In giving cordial and hearty sur
port 10 the nominees and platform OF the
national Democratic party in the only ef-
fectual way in which it can be done-name-
ly, by voting for the electoral ticket put
forth by the State Convention held in the
city OF Richmond on the 10Th OF May, 1880.
A Convention WAS held in the city OF
Richmond on the 7th OF July, 1880, which
also put forth electors instructed to the sup
port Of the national Democratic nominees.
Whatever may have been the motives OF
those who are responsible for the course OF
that Convention, the possible consequence
may be, il any considerable portion OF the
Democratic voters shall confirm its action,
TO cause the electoral vote OF Virginia to be
cast for the Republican party, which is the
minority in Virginia. party which has
done nothing in the past to enttle it to our
suffrage, and offers no hope in the future
for the promotion OF the best interests OF
our people.
That the Democratic voters OF the state
NAV be able TO determine the more lntelli.
gently which OF the two sets OF electors is
entitled TO their support, this committee
thinks It not improper to advert briefly to
the course Of political events which have
occurred during the last few months.
During the session Of 1852 OF the Cen
cral Assembly OF Virginia, some OF the
members Of the Legislature, together with
certain white and cOlored citizens, both
Democrats and Republicans, held conven-
ton in the city OF Richmond, ut Mozart
Hall. and then and there proceeded 10 or
ganiZe party which has been since known
ms the " Readiusters."
Such was the political status when our
predecessors, the State Central committee
elected by the Convention OF August, 1877
4 Convention called and held before there
had been q split in the party-met on the
10th Of March, 1880, to prepare call for a
State Convention, which was TO send dele
gates 10 the National Democratic Conyen-
ton. TO appoint electors to cart the vote OF
the State for its nominees, and 10 take such
other action aS would restore harmony and
strength to the party, and enable 1t to tri-
umph in November next over that party
which made itself infamous by defrauding
the American people in 1876 OF the Pres-
dent and Vice-Presdent whom they had
called by their sutlrages to the conduct OF
their affairs.
As showing the spirit in which that COM
mittee met. the following extract from its
call for the Convention is quoted:
"Al Conservative, Democratic, or other
citizens Of Virginia, irrespective OF past
political associations or differences, who are
willing TO unite in the effort for pure,
economical, and constitutional govern
ment, and intend TO support the nominees
OF the Cincinnati Convention and to oppose
the nominees OF the Republican party, are
entitled to participate in meetings 10 send
delegates 10 the State Conservative Conyen-
ton"
Not resting with this declaration, they
adopted the following resolutions:
"Wbereas, realizing the fact that The
Conservatives OF Virginia, though divided
upon the local and transient issue OF the
State debt, are in communion and sympathy
unon the great Issues that divide the coun-
try: that diverse views upon that issue in
| = - oN.ct the relations Of constituents