Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-06-14
Address Of State Executive Committee Of
the Conservative Party.
THE CANVASS OF 1881.

To the County and City Chairman of the
Conservative Democratic Party:
Gentlemen.-Thet time has now ar
rived for preparation for the campaign
of this fall.
The magnificent victory of 1880, large
ly due to the organization effected
through your patriotic zeal, will be sur
passed in November next if equal dill
gence and like devotion to your State
shall mark your efforts.
Great as was the prize for which we
then commended, it is far surpassed by
that which now bespeaks your assis-
lance. Then we fought chiefly for bet.
ter methods of administering the Gene
raj Government; now our contest will
be for the life of our civilization for the
maintenance of the heritage of self-gov-
eminent which we rescued from the
tempest of military rule, of congression.
al tyranny, and the corrupting faint of
assumed by the conservative people of
Virginia in 1869, they will never lay
down while these great blessings need
defence Tor suffer peril. Here, where
they found their first exposition and
their most fruitful victory, they will
never want resolute and united defend
ers. Whenever and under whatever
pretence, and with whatever faithful
allies" the effort is made to bybridize
Virginia, the spirit of '69 will again ami
mate her people, and they will sacrifice
their differences to save their State
Least of all will they abandon this greet
duty at the demand of leaders $50 called,
who, having vindicated their sagacity
by the ridiculous Dragging which pre-.
ceded the last election, demonstrated
their love for Virginia by spending in 9
hungry hunt for Federal offices all the
time which has followed it.
| The great party which saved Virgins
in 1869 and in 1880 from political misce'
genation which has preserved our in
situations, fOstered evers beneficent en-
terprise, introduced and accomplished
every eeform, recured to Virginia all
that makes her powerful and prospe'
rous State to-day, still possesses the
strength and the wisdom to control bel
future, and with proper effort will
achieve this year an easy victory.
We therefore invite you to convene al
once your committees and fill up theil
ranks with 0ctive citizens. Let calls be
issued as speedily as possible for meet
ings to send delegates to the Convention
of August 4th. Let all Conservative
Democrats be invited to attend these
meetings that the Convention may ex.
press the will of all the people. Let ne
delegate be chosen as matter of COM
pliment. Select those who represent
the popular will, and who will regard il
a duty to attend, in order that the full
and free voice of Virginia may speak in
the candidates and the platform of thu
Convention.
The time is suspicious for final ant
honorable determination of the only
question which has hitherto divided ou
party. The predictions of enormous re
duction in the value of the property O.
the State have proved as fallacious a
the claims of strength made by thos'
who would divide US. The real estat'
of the Commonwealth only shows de
cline of 5 per cent, and this will b.
more than balanced by the advance il
personally. Virginia is no pauper
standing with abject head amid FREE
States and selfrespecting people. Sh'
shares, and will fully share, the genera
prosperity of our country, and will IL
the future, as heretofore, share tn
higher privilege and the greater prais
of doing her full duty, alike in days o
gloom and days of promise.
| A. M. KELLEY,
Chairman Executive Committee.