The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-09-23

tee Respeusisiiisy.

u
cassom. assembled this year Ia State Con
yeuticsrs, chose delegates 10 the National
Conventions Of their respective parties, de-
sienaisd their electoral tickets, and adopted
plaffos ms of priuciplcs enunciating tteiI
.seversl views on national affairs.
Tkose delegates sought and obtained al
mission into their respective National Con-
,ycrS ions, shared the duties thereof, anu par
ttoipated In placing before the people the
Dames now chaileE gSng public support foJ
the Presidency aud Vice-PresideDcy OF the
puted States
On the It'll Of Gully, 1880, several week:
after both OF the National Conventions bad
adjourned, aud the canvass on both sides
had opened throughout the Union, State
Convention assembled In the city OF Rich
mond, composed indiscriminateiy Of Demo.
Gratis and Republicans. OF men preferrine
the success OF Garfield, and men preferripg
the success Of Hancock, and OF not few
whose political convictions sat so lightly on
their shoulders that they we're entirely in
different whether they supported either OF
no ticket az ell.
Only one purpose inspired this hetero
geneous gathering, however diversified its
constitution-to wit. the destruction OF the
Conservative party by whatever means and
with Whatever allies that end might be CON-
passed. In this pursuit the Republicans
only differed from their allies in that they
had been their pioneers for eleven years in
the same desire and labor.
This Convention chose new electoral
ticket, and, adopting platform OF princi-
Piles from which national issues were studi-
ously excluded, they expressed the opinion
that the Democratic candidates would be
sI.- ~ oIx hos fafn fcet
than the Republican,, and therefore in-
structed their electors TO support Hancock
and English.
This action, framed and fitted to antago-
nize the regular Democratic ticket In Vir-
ginia, met with an early and generous wei.
come at the hands OF the Republican press
and leaders throughout the Union, beyond
the Commonwealth and has recently re-
ceived equal applause from the Radical pa
pers within the State, presenting, as 1t man
ifestly did, the most feasible and effective
plan for the loss OF the State to the Demo-
cratic party-the common object OF both
wings OF the 7th-0f.July Convention-and
for the dissolution OF that great COnserva-
tive organization in Virginia which origi-
nally rescued, and has hitherto preserved,
the State from Radical misrule.
The scheme excited the gravest appre-
tensions OF the Democratic people of the
Commonwealth, who OWNED the purpose,
since openly 0uOtCed, by it's Republican sup
porters, TO divide the Democratic strength
of Virginia, and when the gulf became I'M
passable TO con soidate the Republican party
and carry the State. Within the Common
wealth prudential reasons have induced
general silence as to this intent; but the
less cautious Republican press OF other
States has ayowed this hope and purpose,
echoing the confident prediction OF the lead
ing Republican paper OF the Union, the
New York Times, that "THE VIRGINIA Re-
PUBLICANS WOULD CERTAINLY DEFEAT THEIR
DIVIDED OPPONENTS"
No one familer with the state OF parties
in Virginia can doubt the possibility OF such
q result; no one acquainted with the des
perate fortunes Of the Republican party can
doubt that this result will be sought.
The effort to avert this party disaster,
which may involve the loss OF the Union,
has engaged the reflection OF patriotic cii.
zens in every quarter; IL being justly
thought that 1t would be a browning dis
grace TO this faithful Democratic Common
wealth should her vote be lost, and at the
same time the hope Of Democratic triumph
in the Union, by her detection, be blasted.
The union or the Democracy on fusion
ticket was the simple and easy exit out OF
he peril; and after much individual specu.
IatiOn as to the method mass-meeting OF
citizens OF the pOpulOus county OF Sbenan-
lioah unanimously suggested that the Stare
of the two parties protesting to
support Hancock and English should unite
in placing an electoral ticket in the field, to
be composed of five electors from each OF
the existing tickets, pledged to Hancock
and English, the eleventh elector to be
chosen by the National Democratic Com
nittee; and the promoters unanimously
pledged themselves TO support ticket thus
constituted.
The chairman Of the Democratic State
Committee, earnestly desIrOus and singly |
to unite the Democratic people |
On one ticket on terms OF fairness to all, re-
Iuested a meeting OF the 7th-of-July COM
mittee with his own to consider this plan |
Of fusion.
The committees met, In separate session,
On the 18th OF September, and the Demo. |
cratic committee promptly communicated to |
he other committee its willingness to accept !
he plan proposed by the peo lie OF Shenan-
1oab; but, cautious lest the known dsa-
,owal by the other committee OF all alegi- |
lnce to the national Democracy should fur
fish excuse for objection to a settlement of |
uch intrinsic fairness, tbe Democratic State
Committee proposed, IL the Other committee
preferred, to submit the choice OF thu ele-
'enth elector to lot, rather than to the Ma
ional Committee.
This proposition was, after much delay,
elected in any aud every form and the
election, coupled with the avowal that the
,eOple's plan would be refused by them
however preseated-that no fusion ticket
vould be accepted, however framed.
An easy, equitable, and certain method Of
nsuring the vote OF Virginia was by this
Gtion hopelessly defeated. Eleven electoral
eies which might thus by AN honorable
nd Just arrangement have been placed be.
ont the chauce OF loss were deliberately
nbm peril, and The nnpatriotie purpose OF
erpetuating and eXasperaling the existing
iyisieDs among Virginia Democrats was
18th bold effrontery Nowed. IL they had
0ppee here credence might have been
'aeBte the gasconade as to their strength
dleGexcuse for this extraordinary EeDuIse ;
AN honest effort for peace; but the
purpose OF 4se leaders being,
@e have stated, the destruction OF
@ COpservafive-D Democrats party OF ahe
ate, they gould not separate without dis
osins 1t. They accordingly proposed. as
Q only scheme they would esndescend 10 I
cept, tue holding. Il fortnight In advance Is
the presidential election, Of private d
sction In Virginia, in which there should {
but two tickets in The field--iAe Demo- 9
attic and ReAdnster tickets-permilting a
cry registered voter. qualified or not, TO {
In raa no. a fva of