The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-07-27
Address or the Executive Committee
sr sMc Democratic Party Of Sir-
gtnta.
Rooms CONSERVATIVE ExEcUrIvE)
COMMITTEE,
Rycuuoyp. VA, July 20, 1886.

10 the C0nSef cdttCe (eoptt VI f"Je"s"
Noquestion Of a political nature has ever
been propounded to Virginia C0nserva'
five more important in its relations to him
self, or its consequences 10 bis state ana
country, than the inquiry, What is his
present duty in the national contest which
impends?
Forth first time In the history OF Virginia,
II not in the history OF the Union, there are OF
fered for the sufrages OF the people two eiec'
toral tickets, protesting, though In different
degrees and on diverse grounds, support 10
the national Democratic candidates for the
presidency and vice presidency Of the Re-
public. A vote cast for one OF these Is
vote destroyed-a vote which IL cast for the
other may elect Democratic President.
The fatal and scandalous possibility con-
fronts US that the overwhelming Conserya-
tive majority of Virginia may be lost by
discussion, and the Republican party, de-
moralized and despairing, may, through
Conservative discord, ravish this old State
from the ranks she has always adorned. and
often led. and deliver her TO our enemies.
Neither their strength nor our weakness
can achieve this result: 1t must be accom-
plished, II at all, by deliberate dereliction
on the part Of Conservatives.
The path OF duty In this supreme hour OF
our political history, when under the call OF
patriotism and the hope OF administrative
reform the Conservative people OF all the
Union outside OF Virginia have composed
their differences and adjourned their strifes,
ought to be sought with diligence and
trodden with unfinching courage. To as
certain it one inquiry alone needs to be
solved which OF the electoral tickets now
in the field in Virginia protesting to sup
port the Cincinnati nominees merits the
confidence and votes OF her Conservative
people?
One OF these tickets was framed by a
Convention summoned by tue State Central
Committee of the Conservative party,
whose calljnvited the participation OF "all
citizens who intend to support the nomi-
nees OF the Cincinnati Convention and to
oppose the nominees OF the Republican
party; it was called under the establish
ed forms and usages OF our party; II an
nounced In advance. and with no doubtful
utterance, its political creed; it committed
itself unreservedly and in advance TO the
National Democratic ticket; 1t sent dele
gates TO the Convention which framed that
ticket, and participated actively and hon
oraby in the choice there made; its repre-
sentatiyes were admitted to the National
with reclamation it is now represented on
the national committees of that party, and
recognized as an equal and honored partici-
pant in the duties and destiny Of the Ma
tional Democracy.
The other ticket was framed by Con-
vention that neither bore the name nor af-
fected the principles of the National De-
mocracy. 1t assembled after the National
Convention adjourned; sent, OF course, no
representative thereto, and was without
voice or vote therein; was composed indif-
ferently OF Democrats and Republicans;
counted among its constituents over forty
negroes, and among these some delegates to
the State Republican Convention and many
recognized az Republican leaders; took
pains, as we shall see, TO disown all ALE
glance TO, or connection with, the party that
nominated Hancock and English; and as it
was without participation in the choice, so
il now without share in the organization
OF the National Democratic party.
1t would appear that this plain and frank
statement OF the case should dispose OF the
question, as to which ticket should receive
the support OF any citizen, sincerely desi-
reus to discharge his duty to that great
party of patriotism which, for fifteen years
has defended the South, and shielded con-
stitutiona liberty from the profligate malig-
nifty which has equally menaced both.
But this pathway Of duty is flooded
with the lustre OF noon when in addition
we consider the course of the leaders
OF the July Convention III the light OF
the history OF the past six months; for that
history dscloses deliberate and but par
tiaIly-baffied purpose on their part to sacri-
fee the cause Of popular freedom in the
country at large to miserable coalition
with the Radical party, under the pretence
OF advancing State issue which is notorl-
ously without place in national politics.
Satisfied as we are that no views which
Virginia Conservative may entertain on the
debt settlement will blind him to bis duty in
field IN which that question cannot be con-
sdered, much less affected, we desire TO call
public attention to the testimony showing
the insincerity of these leaders In their pres
ent pretended support Of Democratic candi-
dates, and the ardor and fidelity OF their ef-
forts to cement union with the Republican
party, whose only conceivable issue could
have been to deceive these allies or barter
away the State. In fact, this recent history
shows that but for the greater faithfulness
OF the Republicans to their principles, or
their wel-founded mistrust Of men capable
-
he in the political field not only with a
ticket not favorng Hancock and English,
but with tldSet in the market for bidder
,or openly pledged to the repu0iated beg
gar for the Chicago nomination, Ulysses s.
Grant.
The mode by which this novel and flagi-
tious experiment in Virginia polite. was
to have been effected was a union of Re-
publ:cans and Readiusters in the support
OF tickle; acceptable to both parties 10 the
trade, which shouid be free to vote for a
Democrat or Republican, as its policy Or
iRterett might dictate Ia scheme by which
either the Republicans or Democrats were
certain to be cheated, IL indeed both would
not have been.
To secure this end, denominated Gan
unpledged electoral ticket" series OF Re-
publican and Readjnster meetings were
held throughout the Commonwealth during
the latter months OF winter and the early
spri1g, the resolutions Of large number
OF which are before us. They consist in
the main OF fulsome euleGes OF General
Malone (the identity OF their language
showing common origin9 aud endorse
ments OF this hybrid political cOntriyance--
two specimens OF the latter as samples OF
all
On the 23d OF February the ReAdsusters
OF Cumberland held q mass-meeting, In
which II was unanimously
RESOLVED. That the Resdjuster Coasen-
tion should nominate an independent eiec-
toral Ticket. with full liberty to cast its ysie
10 the Electoral College as the then existing
political condition Of Affairs may indicate ~
best for State and national interests. ~
Richmond Wing. february 18th.