The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-12-20
The Necessity for Reorganization.

great national contest Of 1854. The recent
meeting of the Republican National
Committee, and the fixing OF the time
and place for holding the Republican Con-
yention to nominate candidates for Presi-
dent and Vice President, constitute the
first formal acts to that end. 1t is notice |
to the constituent body to enter upon the
work of arranging for State and District
Conventions to select delegates to the
National Convention, and to prepare to
contest with the Democratic party in every
State of the Union.
In Virginia, it is apparent to the most
superficial observer that active efforts will
have to be made to crystalize the forces
opposed to the Bourbon Democracy and
difficulties will have to be overcome to
bring together into compact and harmo-
Nous body all those who believe that the
welfare of the State and Nation demand
thedefeat of the nominees of the Demo
cratic party in the contest Of 1884. To
reconcile the conflicting elements and
bring them into an effective organization
will require some sacrifice of personal am
bition and the subordination Of fractional
differences to the one great object of plac-
ing the State in column with the progress
sive influences and wise administrative
measures which have done SO much for the
prosperity of the country and the advance
ment of civilization.
1t cannot be concealed that the Oppo-
nents of the Democratic party in Vir-
ginia, as now constituted, are in no con-
dition to enter the contest of 1884. The
fact must be recognized and dealt with
that there are differences which will have
to be removed in order to unite in an
effective organization the forces which
have common sympathies and a common
object that they desire to attain. 1t is
useless to blink the fact that re-organiza-
tion will have to be effected, if success is
to he assured. And it is useless to at
tempt to disguise the further fact that un-
less all the elements which are opposed to
BOurboniSm can be concentrated into one
organization, the electoral vote of the
State will be certain for the Democratic
party.
There are nominally three organizations
in Virginia, the following of each of which
ought to be safely counted against the
Democratic Presidential candidate. We
have the Readjuster State Central Com
mittee, the Coalition State Central Com
mittee, and the Straight-out Republican
Central Committee-the first presided
over by Gen. Malone, the second by Capt.
J. Fl. Rives and the third by Maj. j. F.
DeZendorf. That there is want Of SYM
pathy and harmony between these several
committees there is no doubt. This arises
more from personal considerations than
any differences as to the duty of each to do
all things possible to defeat the Democratic
party in 1884. We take it for granted that
each of the committees and their follow
ing, would make choice of the Republican
nominees over the Democratic nominees
for President and Vice President. We as
sumo this to be the fact from past associa-
tions and contests and the declaration Of
principles and policies by each. While
this common sympathy as to the result in
1884 prevails, there is an apparent conflict
in organizations, which, if not removed,
would prevent harmony of action and in
sure defeat. AS the forces now stand, the
following of the one would not recognize
the call of the other. and this because of
fractional differences which could not le-
ultimately enter national contest. Mere
personal feeling and prejudice should be
sacrificed in the presence of great emer-
gency, which will require the service OF all
who believe in the cause to be subseryed,
but differ as to the exact methods of accom-
plishing the ends desired.
Inasmuch, therefore, as the call of the
one committee would not be recognized
by the other or it's following we have this
suggestion to make That the represen-
tative men from each Of the factions re-
ferred to, unite in a call for State Con-
vention, to be composed Of delegates rep
resenting the following Of each Of the
committees and allqwho are opposed to
Bourbon Democracy. That this conven-
ton, when convened, proceed to elect and
form a new committee. to supersedes the
three committees named. which shall be
recognized as the legitimate authority of
the party, under whose auspices and di-
rection the campaign OF 1884 shall be di.
rected.
The suggestion is made in spirit of
the utmost fairness to each of the commit
tees and in the interest of a cause which
each OF the committees processes to wish to
serve. Whether the several committees
recognize it or not, we know that a call
from neither of them would meet with a
general response. 1t is not profitable nor
pertinentto argue why this is so. 1t is
fact that has to be acknowledged and
faced. There are votes enough in Vir-
ginia opposed to the Democratic party to
give the electoral vote of the State to the
Republican candidates for President and
Vice President at the election in Novem-
Der next. These votes cannot be commanded
by either of the committees as now con-
stituted. We believe they could be were
new committee formed by convention
of delegates representing the different fac
tiOns and chosen in direct reference to
uniting all the forces opposed to the Bour-
bon Democracy.
1t seems to us that if a sincere desire
prevails to elect the nominees of the Re-
publican party in 1884, there ought to be
no insuperable obstacles to uniting the
liberal forces i'm Virginia into one organi-
zation. It is plain that without this, sue
cess would be out of the question, so far
as this State is concerned. With harmony
assured, the twelve electoral votes of Vir-
ginia could be as confidently relied on for
the Republican nominees as those of any
other closely contested State in the Union.
If all who profess to desire the defeat of
the Democratic party would unite in
the suggested convention-would consider
mere men as secondary to great cause
and determine, if necessary, to make some
little sacrifice of personal feeling and
prejudice, to consummate great end. it
certainly could be accomplished.
Without some such action from the
people as we have proposed, we may ex-
pect fractional contests and squabbles
injection of personal politics into the ap-
nroachinp camnaion and nan, ooro+;o .,,,o