The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-01-22
"virginia Politics e...Ano,her View
To the Editors of the Disp0tch:

Virginia Politics "--AuOfher View. |
To the Editors Of the Dispotch:
In your issue Of the 10th Instant, under |
the caption Virginia Politics." a writer
under the nom de plume OF Democrat "
gives his views on the present status OF
affairs in our local political arena, and sug-
gests new venture which he thinks most
important Tor the future welfare OF the old
Commonwealth and as preventive against
a danger which he deems an imminent one,
relative TO the vote OF the State in the APP
preaching presidential contest. The po-
litical Affiliations OF democrat " and my
self are dolbtless identical, since / also
am a Democrat and Conservative Fund
er. There is, however. quite difference
between our views regarding a good deal
he saws in the communication referred 10.
1t Is not, however, the object OF this COM
munication to reply to the sentiments as to
the cause" and effects" Of the present
situation expressed by Democrat" but
to dissent from his suggestions for future
action on The part OF those having the State
and national interests at heart, and TO oiler
substitute which / think will be more
eflectual in bringing about the desired end
as regards one pOiut-tO wit. the unity OF
all Democrats in the presidential election
next fall
The eist Of the suggestions offered by
"DemOcrat" is as follows: The calling OF
a convention to be held al an early day by
the penple who have the States interest ut
heart ana their own welfare-those uninfiu-
cnced by partisan purposes or by the desire
OF political ACKNOWLEDGMENT; the con'en-
ton to organize the Democratic party in
Virginia upon a platform to accord with
that of the national party In national alllrS,
and with ga broad. liberal and just plat
form "a regards State attaifs'-the zine
being thoroughly drawn between The Demo-
cratic and Republican parties in Virginia
TO force the adherents OF the party now IN
power to give mp their adherence TO the
same and ioiu the former party or openly
come out as Republcans-the party being
so Organized as to preclude the dividing OF
the people one way in national and another
in State elections; plank in the platform
in regard to the debt-prOmsinS to the
creditors a settlement to the best Of our
ability, and providing that any proposition
shall be subject TO the peoples approval;
broad and liberal plank upon the color
question. &c.
Now, Messrs. Editors, | fully agree with
.'DemOcra'," both IL 10 the fact OF the ne
cessity OF taking some action in regard to
state affairs. and that OF the importance OF
organizing for the presidential contest next
| fall. Nor am | disposed TO disagree with
the principles OF his proposed platform.
But i'm that he has made a compound NIX
ture OF national and state politics. think
bis convention would prove most com
plete failure, and so far from brln"in"
ABOUT the desired end, would result i'm
- confusion worse confoundcd and why?
The State has recently passed through prob
ably the most hOtly-c0nteSted canvass her
territory was ever the scene OF, and unmiS-
takably proving the fact that there exists
difference Of opinion among the people
among Nirginia'S sOnS-the character OF
which differences, and the clrcum-
stances attending the question, having
given rise to factiOnal feeling. Hence
in this situation OF affairs, however good
the suggestions and principles enumerated
bv "DemOcrat" NAV be in themselves. and
regarded by those OF his party or faction.
the people are not i'm that condition to give
such attention TO The subject rs would be
essential 10 success. Suppose, now, Such
convention aS suggested is called and held;
when the State-dcbf question arises there
would be variety OF irrecOnciabie views
and a bolt on the part Of all whose prlncl-
pies were not adopted aud embodied in the
pIatform-if, indeed, there would be any
response 10 the "caIl" BY any than
those agreeing with the party TO
which "Dcmocrat" belongs, in which
and in any other event the one aim
TO unite the Democracy would prove
most miserable failure. BY the " mixture
Of the term may be aII0wed) Of State and
national politics, the result would be hurt
full TO both. The trouble is Just thiS-that
while nearly all OF the whites OF Virginia
are united in their Democratic principles,
they are terribly divided in regard TO state
matters: and hence the fruitle>>neSs Of an
attempt to organize the Stale Democratic
party at present with any plank IN the pat
form concerning the state debt. mo-
ment's thought will convince any one Of
tins fact. 1t would be an experiment DOOM
ed to be fraueht with iueXtricab'c diff
cultieS.
Now, let us take one at a time. Let there
be convention called in the interest Of
the Democratic parly-to organize for the
approaching elcCtiOu-With a distinct I'M
derstanding and av0wa that State political
matters will be severely let alone IN
that convention. 70 this call Readiusters
and FunderS Chose OF each party VINO are
Notwithstanding the bulk II each,
certainly will respond, an harmonious ses-
sion will be the result, thorough Organl-
cation for the campaign, and the orglnizl-
ton, il it i deemed advisable, Of the State
Democratic party"
The people will flock to the Democratic
standard, as "DcmOcrat very truthfully
remarks, and with the Democrats Of both
State factions united and harmonious under
the national Democratic banner, we would
present a solid and impenetrable front to
the enemy, and, as usual, carry the state by
an overwhelming majority. Now, it Is
absolutely al-important that this unity and
harmony OF action be secured, or else ii
will be perfectly useless for any effort to be
made to carry the State for the Democratic
ticket. Let us contemplate for moment
the holding OF convention by each
wing OF the old Conservative party
NOW known as Fnnders and Read
iusters) and the appointment Of two
separate delegations to the National
Convention. Both delegations could not be
recognized, and the faction whose delega
ton was repudiated" would hold aiOOf
from participation in the canvass, and there
would be imminent danger, to say The least,
Of the States going by default. This would
not only be a State calamity and be the cause
OF an everlasting reproach upon the fair
name OF the OLD State, but il would seriously
affect the rational result and in the great