Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-08-19

The result of the Republican convention or
conventions held in Virginia last week was to
settle the fact that the contest in that state in
the pending political campaign is to be
straight one between Bournbonism and anti
Bourbonism. As briefly stated by us last
week, the Republican convention which met
at Lynchburg on the 10th inst, divided into
two bodies and began proceedings in two diff
ferent halls. In fact, the convention as a
whole never came together at all, the
''straightouts" gathering by themselves, and
the "Liberals" keeping away from them and
assembling in another place. 1t should be
noted, however, that this action of the Lib
erals was not due to any factonal or wrong
headed spirit, but was taken in order to Sc
cure the rights of three ourths of the dele
gates against the arbitrary action of only
about fifty straightouts who claimed the right
to make up the roll of the convention and
have everything their own way.
In the small hours of Thursday morning
the straightouts nominated state ticket, but
the candidates had too much sense to accept
nominations without party to support them
and positively declined. Upon this the rump
convention had streak of sanity, resolved
that it was inexpedient to nominate ticket,
and adjourned sine-die. The Liberal or
what must properly be called the regular,
convention adopted platform and in obedi-
ence to the clearly expressed will of the Re-
publicans of Virginia, decided to support the
anti-BouIbon ticket. Fortunately there is nc
room for dispute as to the right of this Lib
eral or regular convention to speak for the
Republican party of the state. 1t met under
regular call in hall engaged by the major
ity of the committee, and was called to order
by the secretary of that committee. Every
possible concession was offered the minority
in order to secure unity and harmony of &C
ton, but without avail. This minority haG
too long run the 'machue" and controlled
the patronage" in the state to yield grace
fully and at once to the inevitable.
The platform of principles adopted by the
Liberal convention is a declaration for public
honor, purity of elections and freedom of ed
ucation, and appeals in the strongest manner
to the sympathy and confidence of the Re
publicans of other states. If it were tru,
that either the Republican Straightout oil
Bourbon Democratic movement offered any
thing practical or promised anything de6nit
toward the full payment of the state debt o
Virginia, there would be some reason TO
sympathy with one or both of those factions
Such, however, unfortunately is not the case
The Liberal platform simply states fac
when it declares that the Bourbons 'seek h
deceive both the people and the creditors b.
means of fair promises which they neve
mean to fulfil" and what can be hoped for il
the way of debt-paying from SO weak an elC
ment as that of the straightout Republican
it is difficult to see. Argue the matter as W
WILL the fact seems to be that the Virgini
debt question is one which all parties in tn
STATE use as foot ball, while the vital issu
at stake is one of freedom, education an
equal rights. 1t is for this reason that RI
publican sympathy in the North inevitabl
inclines toward the Readjuster Cor anti Bou
bon) movement which the Liberal Republ
can convention endorsed, and whose cand
dates, by virtue of that endorsement, haV
become the candidates of the Virginia r
publicans in the pending contest.
We copy paragraph from the New Yoi
Times which embodies a fair and succin
statement of the real question at issue;
1.-THE practical outcome of the double col
vention at Lynchburg is that there will be
Virginia, during the present campaign
least, only two parties-the "OonservatiV
Democratic" or Bourbon party, and Il
"Anti-Bourbon" or Liberal party. The ma
of Republican voters will coalesce with Il
latter, while the 'straightout" leaders at
their few followers will either work for Il
Bourbons or become cphers in the contes
1t is better for all concerned that this shou
be the result. The debt question is local al
temporary. Public sentiment is evident
opposed to an increase of taxation even (
the purpose of maintaining the honor
the Old Dominion, about which virginia.
are so fond of prating, but for which tn
are unwilling 10 make any sacrifice. Aceor
ingly, all parties palter with the subject, G
oept that which bluntly declares its purpo
of pairing down the public obligations to
the present revenue. But what really
vides the two great parties of the state
broader and more lasting than the debt qu
ton. 1t is the difference between liberals
and conservatism. Conservatism in Virgin
and in the Southern states generally signif
the Bourbon spirit that olings to the past a
resists progress. 1t was opposed in the pi
TO allowing the negroes 10 enjoy civil and
litical rights, and, in spite of vaguely
pressed professions, it is opposed to it N
and sustains whatever ia calculated to def
it. 1t is opposed to popular education
benefits of which shall be enjoyed by all.
. is opposed to yielding state pride to natio
patriotism, and to policy of progress and
political and material regeneration. Libel
ism in Virginia and in the South generl
signifies the newly awakened spirit of pr
ress. 1t promises to make the rights OF
Ored citizens real it promises to make