The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-12-15
A State Convention.

the DtspdscA.
| -
A State Convention.
A prominent gentleman who was lately a
leader In the Rexdjuster party sends to
us the following communication. Being
pressed for room, we can only say this
morning that we endorse bis demand for a
State Convention as means Of organizing
the Democratic party. When we speak Of
Democrats In this connection we include
the writer Of this communication, Mr..
MASSEY, General NEwBERRY, Judge LIZ
NOOK, and all the other Rexdiusters who
aic Democrats and not Republicans:
To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
Since the organization OF the Conserva-
tive or Democratic party Of our State In
I 1860 there has been no cause OF dissention
except the debt question. Fortunately this
was purely local question, and in no way
affected the relation Of Readiuster Demo-
crat or Funder Democrat with national
politics or with the National Democratic
party.
True, the party divided locally on this
local questlon-that wing which advocated
a reimbursement OF the debt as settled in
1871 assuming the name Of the Rexdiuster
party, and the other wing, which held that
the decision OF the settlement in the case OF
Antoni Us. Wright was final, retained the
old party name OF Conservative or Demo-
cratic party, but was given the local name
OF Fundcr party. The Readjuster party
was organized in 1879, for The sole purpose
OF settling the debt question, which was q
purely local issue. This organization OF
the Readjuster wing Of the Democratic
party was maintained until the election OF
| 1881, and until the Legislature, elected that
year, passed bill to settle the debt,
and turned il over to the courts for adiu-
dication and decision. This settlement
is final, so far as legislation can make 1t
final. The only purpose OF the organlza-
ton OF the Readjuster wing OF the party
having thus been accomplished, and the
only difference between the two wings OF
the party being removed by the settlement
OF the debt, what is the interest and the
duty Of Resdiuster Democrats and OF
Funder Democrats Indeed, the debt
having been readjnsted, so far as it can be
readj listed by legislation, and there being
nothing to re&djust, and nothing else to
fund, the names ReSdjuster and Funder,
party, are, no longer applicable. All are
Democrats new, without qualification, who
have not followed Malone into the Repub-
lican party.
The Readjuster wing OF the Democrats
has held but one convention to fix the re-
Iatons of the party with reference TO ma
tional parties and politics; that was held
i'm Richmondin July, 1880. That conven-
coli n in ~ ba
ton of the national Democratic nominees,
Hancock and English, for President and
Vice-President, and adopted platform, in
which it declared that the best interests OF
all the people Of Virginia, and OF the Read
juster party in particular, would be best
subseryed by the election Of the Demo-
cratic nominees. The Funder wing advo-
Gated the election of the same ticket, and
each wing canvassed the State for this
ticket by separate electors. Both wings,
then, were Democrats. pledged by con-
ventions of their respective wings TO the
nominees and principles Of the Ma
tiOnal Democratic party, and no con-
vention OF the party has since been
held except for State purposes. The
only reason assigned by the Readjusters
for placing a separate electoral ticket in
the field was that until the public debt was
readiusted it was necessary TO maintain
the Readjuster party rs separate organi-
cation. But for the unfortunate difference
on the debt question the two wings Of the
party would have been in perfect harmony
in 1880, and there would have been but
one electoral ticket in Virginia.
The unfortunate difference between the
two wings Of tho party having been set
tied, why should they not retniteY A
solid negro vote and a divided white vote
gives the negroes more influence in the
State than the whites have.
Malone, TO promote his own selfish pur-
poses, has taken advantage of the split
among the white people on this local issue,
and, seizing the organization OF the Re-
adjusters, has attempted to carry enough
OF them with him to give the State 10 tie
Republicans in Virginia, 12S,000 Tor four
fifths) OF whom are negroes.
The writer was Readjuster from its IN
ception through to its final settlement by
the Legislature in 1872. The debt set
tied, he believes the best interest OF both
wings OF the party and of call the people Of
Virginia" demand an early reorganization
OF the Democratic party, and that for this
purpose convention OF all Democrats,
without regard to past difference on the
debt question, should be called, and as Ma
hone has seized the Readjuster organiZa-
ton, the Executive Committee Of the other
wing of the party should make the call for
a retinion. X.