The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-06-09
Re-Adjuster Convention.

THURSDAY, JUNE y, 1851.
Re-Adjuster Convention.
We publish an intelligent synopsis Of the
proceedings Of the Re-adjuster State Con-
vention which met In Richmond on the I'd
Inst. 1t will be seen from 1t that Col. w.
3. Cameron, of Petersburg. has been nom-
mated for Governor Hon. John F. Lewis, of
Rockingham, for Lieutenant Governor, and
Capt. Frank P. Rlair, of Wythe, for Attorney
General. All three of these gentlemen
have accepted the positions to which the
convention designated them, Col. Cameron
declaring himself Democrat, Mr.. Lewis
announcing that he is q Republican. and
Capt. Blair Democrat of the Greenback
persuasion. We have nothing unkind to
say of them personally. Mr.. Lewis is the
only one of the three with whom We have
the pleasure of an intimate personal &C.
quaintance. He is gentleman in every
sense of the term, and whatever may be
the shape Of the canvass, or whatever polit-
seal conflicts grow out Of it, we can con-
eeive Of no possible condition of things that
sould change our high estimate of his perso-
nsl worth and integrity. Notwithstanding
our high personal regard for him and his
many genuine and manly qualities. we
would be untrue to our convictions of duty,
did We not here enter our dissent to the
nomination that has been conferred upon
him. As Chairman of the Republican
State Central Committee, he stood in a
representative position to the Republican
organizations position assigned him by
the unanimous action Of Republican State
Convention, and how he could reconcile 1t
to his views Of party duty to abandon his
own party organization and ally himself
with sdistinctly different political associa-
ton 10 for him to justify, and not for us.
IL had been, up to the final action of the
Ae-adjuster Convention, the general senti-
ment and desire of Republicans that reg
alariy called and organized Republican
Convention would determine the course of
the party in the pending campaign, and
whatever line OF policy was formulated
should be as party, acting in concert and
Tor the best interests of the organization
and It's future. This purpose and desire,
we believe, will not be abandoned by the
great bulk OF the Republicans Of Virginia
Republican organization will be maintained
and Republican identity asserted, however
Mach regret may be experienced by reason
Of the relations of the Chairman of the State
Central Committee to the organization
No one could feel more keenly than the
writer OF these lines the embarrass-
nent arising from the complications
ehus created. But these do not obscure the
hns of duty. We can see nothing but dis
aster to the Republican party now and here
sitter, In q surrender of its identity and an
absorption of Its constituent elements into
one or the other OF the two wings OF the
Democratic party. 1t il not our purpose
ct thin time to enter upon discussion
Of the probabilities of the future, should
the Republicans Of Virginia desert their
own standard at crisis like this, nor to
Republican party of the country. South
and North, 1t would be harmful, whatever
might be the guise under which the aurren-
der might be effected, or the specious as
sRranees with which it might be accom-
panied, and possibly involve results. upon
broader theatre than Virginia, that will
change the current and shock the supports
Of business from one extreme of the Union
to the other.
1t Ia the duty Of the authorities of the Re-
publican party Of Virginia to at once take
steps to preserve Republican organization.
define Republican policy and maintain
Republican integrity. We believe that the
result Of the Richmond Convention, on
which we are commenting, will not only
arouse the spirit and devotion Of the Repub-
licans of Virginia, but attract to them the
sympathy and support of many-very
many, who have never in the past acted
with them. The interests and the moral
sympatlies Of the men who drive the bush
ness enterprises Of the State-the really
conservative influences which emanate from
the commercial and Industrial associations
OF communities, accept the principles of the
Republican party as they relate to such in
terests, and are ready to join in an effort to
encourage and build up support for them
sseh as the South has never heretofore CIV
sn. Let the Republicans Of Virginia but
prove true to themselves, to their princi-
pies and their national identity and there is
q future for them full of hope and growth.
which can be assured In no other way. The
path Of duty lie the path of safety. and by a
bold, determined declaration Of Republi-
oanism, in all of its meaning, the highest
Inspiration Of party fealty will be
aroused, commanding not only the respect
of true men everywhere, but. what is of
far more Importance, inspiring self-respect
and consciousness Of duty performed.
During the sessions Of the Mining Insti-
knte in Staunten, no member of that body
was more attentivelyl listened to and none
succeeded In more thoroughly entertaining
than our townsman, Mai Jed. Hotchkiss.-
Upon almost every question, especially such
as pertained to Virginia and adjoining
604t6&, uiS opium was souSIt anu q iSduy
and satisfactory response was always forth
coming. His remarkably accurate and
complete knowledge Of this State aud her
geological formations, together with his IA
miliarity with her history, enabled him to
give to the information he impaired an In
terest which robbed 1t OF technical dryness
and presented it in the freshest and most
attractive garb.
Is was through the influence of MAI.
HotchkIss that the Institute visited Staun-
ton. In no other way, perhaps, could the
resources of the State have been presented
under conditions go favorable. The repre-
sentatives Of Northern capital were not
only given an opportunity to inspect the
mineral wealth Of the two virginias, bat
the social intercourse and exchange Of opin-