Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1881-02-22

yoke of the Underwood Constitution
was lightened, let us meet it in that
spirit of unity and Cancellation never
heretofore invoked in vain. Our party
had its birth in the throcs of supreme
act of compromise. 1t has waXed
mighty, nourished by cancellations; it is
the child of sacrifices; it has not lost
the Capability Of concession, and never
before has the need been more lrgent.-
Encouraged by our divisions, the Repub-
can party, which eight years ago made
but feeble struggle for the prizes of
government, and four years since fled
from the field, suddenly sprang into
formidable existence in the late election,
and under circumstances the most dis
courging disclosed Il strength which
with slight increase would have swept
| the State.
What Republican triumph in south
crn Commonwealth means let the wretch
ed record Of fifteen years attest. 1t sig
nifes, in a word, the dethronement of
the virtue, character, intelligence, and
property Of the State, and the erection
on their ruins Of dynasty of profliga-
cy, ignorance, and malice, whose unva-
ryng fruits in Southern States have been
social degradation, universal robbery,
continued disorders-thG undoing, in our
case, Of the toilsome labor of twelve
conservative years.
Higher, in our judgement, than any
other issue that can be presented to our
people is the preservation Of their ciyili-
cation and the maintenance of white SUI
premacy in their government; this is the
life Of the State; our first duty; all else
is secondary to it. TO secure it for our
selves, TO transmit it to our children, is
the sovereign service imposed upon us
by our time and circumstances. This
must be saved, whatever is lost; and to
rescue it and plant it on enduring foun-
dations is an obligation that mounts high
above the domain Of party politics and
demands Of us every sacrifice.
Upon the question Of the public debt
the Committee disclaims any power or
purpose to speak for the Conservative
Democracy of Virginia II but states
historical facts, however, when it allcg-
cs that all previous attempts to settle it
have proved but partially efgctive-that
its settlement is matter of admitted
and urgent need--and the Conservative,
and not the Republican party of Vir-
ginia is the organization by which that
settlement must be made, if it is to be
deilnitiye and at the same time Just
No guaranty Of n final and acceptable
settlement can be afforded half so potent
and cnectual MS the pledge of united
Conservative party
When that party was united IL an
nounccd in its State convention of 1877
| that whatever scheme of adjustment
might be adopted it should be so ordered
as to add nothing to the burdens of the
| people by way or increased taxation, and
doubtless that resolve will be adhered
to when again it shall speak with united
voice. In this interest we urge the con-
sCryativc people Of Virginia to send to
| the convention of the 4th of August
| their most representative fcllOw-Citizcns
men who will wisely as well rs faith
fully reflect their opinlons-with the
view to final compromise and settle
mcnt Of the debt on such concessions Of
extreme position as the boSt judgement
of the convention may deem necessary.
This concord Is also needed to secure
the publc-school system Of the State
As the founder Of that system, its hcred-
tary guardian and unfinching friend,
the ConserVative-Democracy will see to
the preservation of this benelicient in
stitution-to its development, and to its
defence against all assalNnls.
We invoke now HE spirit Of concord
which brought together in the late cleo
ton so many Conservatives formerly cs-
tranged to the end that Virginia in her
domestic affairs may speak with the GER
tain and potential voice which marked her
response In the Federal contcst--that
order social freedom, and the blessings
Of good government may he added TO the
advantages Of material prosperity, of
which the omens are so suspicious. We
invoke II no less that IN the great con-
test Of the near future for the rights of
the States and the principles Of ConSti-
tutional liberty. Virginia may not be
prevented by divided Conservative coun-
soils from welding her whole strength in
the good cause 10 which hor glorious
history commits her.
In view Of these urgent needs for the
united counscls and energies of the Con.
servatiyo-DemOcrtic party of Virginia
we earnestly invoke It's thorough ogani-
cation In all parts of the State. and ap-
peal TO It's members and local officials to
proceed without delay TO accomplish this
important work. A. KolNER.
Chairman.
j. Bel Bi1yeE Secretary.