The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-06-04
To the Editor of the Dispatch:

and have heard IL rumorcd IN otiler quar-
tcrs, that the Conservative-DemocratIc
party Of Virginia are TO have no regular
State Convention or canvass this year, but
intend 10 let the election go by congress
sional district conventions and individual
management.
Now. | would not hesitate for one mo-
mcnt 10 vote for Mr.. Massey against any
man, white or black, whom the Mahoneitcs
could put in the field. But, at the same
time, do not hesitate to express the con-
viciion that any such arrangement as that
referred 10 will prove as disastrous to the
best interests and success OF our party IA
bundcr Just as fatal 10 us) as was that OF the
Greeley campaign OF 1872 10 the. Nationai
/ Democracy. II ,clH not do, nor Will II WIN.
Mr. Massey might command small iolioW.
| inc Of Roadjusters-about in proportion OF
the =" Biz -Four" vote in the Legislature 10
tine main body of Mahone's strength
but he would lose or iaiI TO get
many thousands OF Democrats who
could not be conscicntiously induced TO
follow or vote for bin as a Democratic
candidate under the present state OF things.
IL would be simply doing what we are now
bitterly denouncing President Arthur's
Republican Administration for treachc-
ro,isly doing to crafty and purchase Ma
hone by rewarding bis newest recruits
nj the expense Of his truest and ablest
friends. am opposed TO any such game.
u might possibly win once, but would be
fatal TO the permanent organization and
success OF any party in the future.
This il a national and not a local cleo
ton. /: involves the politics and paltics
of the whole country, and not those which
concern only the affairs OF our State. The
debt question is no longer and never was
properly political question. Ii is simply
q matter between debtor and creditor,
and never should have mixed mp
with the politics Of Virginia, and never
would have been but for the seliishness
and ambition of Malone, who has made it
a fruitful source OF discord to or people,
and Of ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF himself and his
minions. II has been transferred now,
however, from the political forum TO the
highest state and Federal courts OF the
country, and their decision, whatever it
may be, is obliged 10 be final. From it
there can hardly be any appeal, and as 4
/ law-abiding people we should not desire or
seek any. " Let the dead bury their dead"
But the UitQl question with Us now is,
/ Who are to represent and govern Viz
/ einia: Her good people, or Boss Malone
with his purchased mniOns OF all COM
plexions OF trading politicians The Dem
\ ocratc party OF The state, or the black-and-
/ tan harlcts OF a corrupt and Infamous CO.
alition? Are true and trusted leaders to be
on guard and in the front, or those who
deserted Us in the perilous hour OF
extremity ! sincerely thank Dir. Massey
and his Faithful -Four, VINO defeated some
Of Nahono'S infamous schemes OF iegIsia-
/ ton; but they simply performed their
duty TO their PEOPLE aud themselves, and
should hardly expect or desire to be i'm
mcdiatey rewarded for their services with
/ all OF the high honorS, to the exclusion Of
all the veterans in the ranks OF the regular
Democratic party. II NJ. Massey must
necessarily lead the column al urge, then
why should not Mr.. NewbeTy lead in the
Ninth district; Judge Lybrook or Hale in
the Fiith; Mr. Wingtield in the Third.
and Mi. Williams in the Fourth They
dId all Of the solid voting. and ii honors are
to he scattered around loose in that way,
why should not the Faithful -Four have
their full share as well as Mr.. Massey, to
the exclusion OF the gallant Trigg, Wise,
Cabell, GOode, and 4 host Of others who
have never been honOred or rewarded at
all for their long years OF valuable service
to their party:
These considerations are not TO be ig-
nored, o. slightly considered in this mat
ter and Il they are tine blunder will lie
fatal TO our party success, present and fu-
ture. believe in square, St0nd-up Demo-
cratic .tgtt IN Virginia with the common
enemy, and il we can't win in that way the
victory viii not be worth the having.
Otherwise we will soon become rs corrupt
and trading a class OF politicians rs Ma
hone and his faction have already become,
and perhaps worse, il possible, and the
Greater the GcseItcr or the bolter the greater
will be his future reward
What we want Just now, Mr.. Editor is
thorough organization OF our party from
centre Ia circumference. This is all that
makes Malone and his party, and all that
has made il. lie strikes us thousand
/ hard licliS while we are asleep. He marches
around our encampmcnt and centre. and
attacks us on the flank and in the rear be-
| fore our officers have put on their boots.
| That is what was the matter in 1879 and in
! 1881. Malone wins the LATHE before we
begin to fight. His forces, organized and
! thoroughly drilled. are in the field on regll-
! lar duty now, and will be 70 the close OF the
campaign. Where are we and our forces !:
W no - III tlIt lNdti Ati tii- otli tti II
against the common enemy: Only Mr.
| Mas cy, whose only difference with the
Boss is his personal difference and disll,es.
With all respect 70 the opinion OF other
friends, | say: Let our state Executive
Committee be called together at an early
day, and our party put in proper trim for
bold light with tried ard trusted leaders
OF the Conservative Democratic party.
Less than this-anything like ,lip-shod
race and candidate, and imperfect organi-
cation, will certainly lead to DISASTROUS de-
feat and permanent disintegIation OF our
party. Ii It shall be deemed wise to nomi-
nate Mr.. Massey, why, let lis nominate
| him. OLD SLEDGE.