The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-03-29
virginia in the National Contest.

The opposing forces throughout the
| Union are organizing for the great national
contest, and 10 Virginia card has been is
ksued by the Executive Committee OF the
Conservative party for State Convention
to assemble i'm Richmond Nay 10, 1880.
The division in the ranks OF the Conserva-
tive-Demn crats OF the State upon the ques-
ton OF the State debt has led to much Bit
terness and alienation, but there is no good
reason why diversity upon local question
OF State policy should be in the way OF har-
monous action upon national questions.
The battle-line il forming. and the white
people OF Virginia are confronted by a
giant foe. The issues are s'inctIy marked
and strongly defined. The forces on the one
side are the advocates OF a consolidated and
centralized power, which is already tram
ping under foot aud overriding the rights
OF the States and breaking down all local
government on the other stands the
Democratic phalanX, boldly maintaining the
doctrines OF jefferson and the other found.
ers Of the Republic, and defending the
people In their right to exercise the func-
tions OF constitutional local government.
The issue has never before been so sharply
defined, nor have the advocates OF despotic
centralized power ever before so uublush.
ingly exposed to view their purpose to de-
stroy the States. Under such condition
Of affairs, we assume that the true Demo-
cracy OF this State will not lag, but will rash
to the defence OF their iime.honored priDci-
piles. No past differences as to State policy
can be legltlmately considered now. Our
voters are called upon to determine on
which side OF the great issue the voice OF
Virginia shall be cast. This, and this alone.
is before our people for determination, and
the decision cannot be shiiked or avoided.
How, then, can men who seriously con-
tempatethis fearful and tremendous issue
indulge In rehashing their old local quar-.
relss We think that those who do attempt
to carry their local controversies into ma
tional contest viii fiud themselves in the po-
sition OF wOuld-be leadership without fol.
lowing. AS to the committees in existence
ia this State claiming to represent the two
wings" Conservative ReadjuSters and
Conservative Funders I've saw let them
subside. The white people of Virginia are
not to be driven from their determination
TO support national Democrat for Presi.
dent because score or two OF MANAGERS on
both sides are ambitious to boss things in
Virginia.
The Democratic voters OF this STATE can
not be coerced or bOssed by ANYBODY, and
il mere prejudice against the personnel OF
committees on either side of the debt cues.
ton is relied upon as a sufficient reason for
splitting up the vote Of the white Vir-
ginians, these who so rely will find their
reason wholly insufficient and unsatisfac-
tory to the mass Of the Democratic voters of
this State. They will he found to be far
too patriotic and intelligent to be thus d.
vided. For Readiuster manager t, say 10
the Democratic people. Don't vote for a
Democratic electoral ticket, because Lowell
and bis committee are backing and support.
ing IL, would be as SUPP eme folly as it was
for that committee to declare that Re- |
adiustefs would not be considered a. good |
Democrats as the supporters OF the McCul. |
lUch law were.- ROckin1hd1n Re0ister.