New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-12
VIRGINIA REPUBLICANTSN

The Republican party of Virginia has decided
to defeat the Bourbon Democracy. About fifty
individuals, nomnally led by Chairman Coch-
ran, seem trying to decide to help the Bourbon
Democracy as far as they can Fortunately there
is no room for dispute as to the right of the Re-
publican Convention to speak for the Republic
can party of Virginia. The Convention was
called to order by the secretary of the regular
Republican State Committee, acting under di-
rections from large majority of that Commit
tee. 1t was called in hall engaged and con-
trolled by the majority of the Committee. 1t
admitted members upon roll prepared, accord
ing to the standing rule of party management
by the secretary of the Committee but that
roll, in order to be supported by indisputable
authority at every point, he had submitted to
the State Committee, and it had been expressly
approved by the majority. Finally, whether
contested delegations were admitted or not at
the outset, the regular Convention embraced n
clear majority of all the delegates elected by the
Republicans of Virginia to represent them in
convention. This was well known that the
members of the regular Convention offered TO
meet In the hall selected and occupied by the
minority, waving the right of the State Com
mlttee to Xix the place of meeting, and allowing
all the contested seats to be filled al the outset
contrary to the judgment of the secretary and
the majority of the State Committee, by
adherents OF the minority. But they were not
permitted to enter, even on these terms. The
minority completed pretended organization.
though there was not even pretence that q
quorum of the members elected was present,
and this rump organization has the assurance to
claim that it represents the party.
1t is worth while thus to set forth in detail the
facts of the case at the outset, that there may
be no room for dispute hereafter as to the regu-
larity and validity of the Republican Conven-
tlon. Every guarantee of regularity which
party usases req uire this body had in its favor.
The chairman of State Committee has no
more power to do any political act in that
capacity, contrary to the expressed wish of a
majority of its members, than any outsider. He
Is nothing but the mouthpiece of the Commit
tee, and ceases to be anything but a private
individual when he attempts to take any step
not authorized by the Committee But, even if
there had been any room for doubt as TO the
technical regularity of preliminary steps, all
question ends when clear majority of all
elected members gather and act in one place.
while minority, at no time embracing a
quorum even if pretended members are adj
mtted to contested seats, gathers in another
place. The majority rules, whenever it gives
proof that it is majority
The declaration of principles by the Republi-
can party of Virginia is worthy of especial no.
tlce and commentator. 1t appeals i'm the
strongest manner to the sympathy and conf
dence OF the Republicans of other States. I'm
every line, it proves the Republicans of Virginia
faithful to the public honor, to purity of cleo
lions and to freedom of education. In Virginia.
the Republicans have more reason than thew
have anywhere at the North to hold these prin-
ciples sacred. In their first resolution they
show that the Bourbon Democrats, in spite of
their professions, prove by their latest platform
that they are now, as they ever have been, false
TO the credit of the State. Since they merely
seek to deceive both the people and the credi-
tors by means of fair promises which they never
mean to fulfill" formally pledging themselves
indeed, not to raise money enough to meet the
obligations of the State, the Republicans are
clearly Justified in giving to them preference
over their opponents on that score
The arraignment of the Virginia Bourbons for
their hostility to free and fair elections and an
honest count, and to free schools for the edu-
cation of the children of all the people," is very
tersely and plainly put, and it ought to com
mand the attention of Northern Republicans
These men know what they are doing. They
speak with the intense earnestness of men who
have suffered incalculable wrongs from frauds
ut elections, and who have personally witnessed
Ii systematic effort to deny the blessings of free
education to their children. Many of them are
colored men. They know the spirit of the
Bourbons in regard to the education of their
race. Many have listened to the thousand ex-
cuses made for closing schools in which the
children of the poor could be taught, and in
which the ruling spirit was loyalty to the Gov
eminent and not attachment for a dead rebel
lion.
The Republicans of Virginia know that these
are vital matters to them, and they know who
have been their friends Their decision is en-
titled to full confidence. Four ffths of them.
ut least, will support the Anti Bourbon ticket
and they are entitled in that course to the
hearty approval of the party elsewhere Their
case is a hard one. Boilers, who have been
seduced by personal alliance with the Bourbon
leaders, will most unjustly assail them. Blu,
they know that they are entitled to recognition
IN every quarter as the Republican party of
Virginia, and they are sustained by a conscious
ness that their principles are in the highest de-
gree worthy. They may rest assured that they
Will have the hearty sympathy of the Republi-