Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1882-07-18

platform and principles uI ear F.'iE'
Neither the individuals from whom uli-
f,.rc,l. Aor the cdacRS had the right TO
adopt p0id'cH nrasurrS or poilc"s iioI
embraced in, or contemplated by, The
Marty platform, and 10 bind The party TO
adont Them The caucus rule, out Oh
which all oar unfortunate family troubles
have grown. the commissioners sac
bill. the judiciary bill, and Danville rail-
road bill were never issues before me
ueonlc. and were IN no sense party
measures, and about which individual
members OF the party did and HAD me
right to think and net rs TO them seemed
best without making themselves lioOlc
to the charge of dsoyalty to the party.
The cdUcaS is not the PARTY. 1t can
bind it, own members who voluntarily
90 into ii, but il cannot bind the party
except in those political matters covered
by the platform of the party. or aclea
upon by the people at the polls. Much
confusion and trouble have arisen IN our
party by the assumption that Individual
members of the party, acting WITH or
without the cducuS, had the right to bind
and control the party. If we would
have peace, harmony aud success, we
must recognize the fact that the people
rule, and that they only express their
will through conventions or ut the polls.
have been laboring in the cause OF
reimbursement from its inception, and |
cannot afford to see it fall now.
Those who come into the party for
spells or powermay be willing to barter
its principles, and sell ont the party to
further their own selfish ends. AS for
myself, | will stand by the party and its
principles to the end, let the consequent
ces be what they may.
Our own protection, our every inter-
est in the State, and the fact that the
last Legislature failed to settle the pub
lie debt, all demand that the Readjustcr
party shall be maintained as a separate
organization.
No member of our party has authori-
ty to deliver the party over to the Re
publican party. No member has auth
GRITTY to deliver the, Rcadjuster party
over to the Funders party. Any at
tempt in either direction by individual
members of the party, by committees,
or local conventions, is treason to the
Readjustcr party.
Fusion, in the face of the manifest
tendency to the disintegration of both of
the old parties, is folly and wickedness
combined. While 1t might bring tenn
porary fortune TO few leaders, it would
entail lasting disgrace and ruin on the
great mass of both paroles. AS | under
stand the situation, one of our leaders
proposes to carry our party into the Ma
tional Republican party; another pro-
poses to carry us into the National DEM
ocratic party, If the Readusters are
wise they will ignore both propositions,
and maintain the Independent Liberal
Readjuster party as separate organiza-
ton.
Throughout the turmoil and confusion
in the Legislature last winter, my voice
was for peace. | foresaw the danger of
experimenting outside of the chart mark
ed out by the people at the last election,
and advised and protested against it.
In conclusion, let us stand by our par
ty and its platform till changed by auth
GRITTY of the people. Let us be firm,
moderate and tolerant of individual
opinions and differences, then final and
permanent success will crown our eff
forts.
Very truly, your friend,
A. FULKERsON.