The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-01-09
The Convention Question.

We Gull from our State exchanges some
paragraphs bearing upon the question OF
calling soon a State Convention Of the
Democratic party. The Norfolk Landmark
says:
"Tbc great and vital question Of holding
a State Convention OF all Democrats has
suddenly become complicated by the pro-
posal to hold it In Lynchburg. This is
wasting precious time, and we trust the
usage OF the party will be followed in the
present case. We have no time TO dispute
about places, and we earnestly hope that
the main question may be considered and
acled on without delay. Let us have the
Convention. and have it in Richmond. We
know no place we would prefer to visit
more than Lynchburg; but this is Il mo-
mentous business-qucstion, and it is folly
to dispute about trifles while the fat is in
the fire. and thus far no adequate proyiS-
ion made for getting it out"
The Pulaski yrginiG People takes an
entirely different view Of the question. II
says:
"The motion for q Convention Of the
Democratic party OF the State, which has
been under discussion by the press for
some weeks past seems TO have been laid
on the table for the present. This is rs it
should be. The leaven OF the last election
IL working beautifully, and there is a
considerable rise in Democratic stock
throughout the State. Too much manipu-
lation at the hands OF party managers would
almost certainly arrest its upward tendency.
Let us have a Convention by all means, but
all in good time, and at the proper time.
In the mean time let every member OF
the party, no matter where his place or
what his position and influence, strive to
undo the work Of demagogues and allay
the factious feeling that yet prevails. There
has been too much pickering over trivial
and unimportant matters, too much unjust
criticism, too much hostility and proscrip-
ton towards each other hitherto between
what are known us Funder Democrats and
Peidiuster Democrats. There is no cause
for this to continue longer. A policy OF
friendlinesS and cancellation should be in
auguratcd In every neighborhood, so that
when the Convention does meet and adopt
platform we may all take our places upon
IL az a cordial and united Democratic bro
therhood, oblivious OF what Is past and
hopeful OF what is to come"
The Montgomery Messenger, speaking on
another subject, but OF course touching
incidentally the Convention question, since
II will be for State Convention to iormu-
late its party creed, says:
awe can spare all such Democrats as
George ID. Wise unless they will cut loose
from monOpolists like the Tredegar Com
pany and deal fairly by the people"
This is pretty hard upon the old Wings,
who in other days, whatever they NAV be
now, were advocates Of protective tariff.
Before the Democratic State Convention
determines TO drive out OF the party all the
friends Of protection, IL would do well to
consider what our Franklin-county CORE
spondent of last week stated in the Dis
patch. We reproduce two sentences of his
letter.
Where did Massey receive his strongest
yotef From the old Wing counties and
cities-Loudoun. Augusta, AIbemarle, Bed
ford, Pittsylvania, the city Of Richmond,
and other places that never flicker when the
country Is In danger from political trick
sters."
The city Of Richmond gave Mr.. MASSEY
majority increased over the Democratic
majority OF 1881 by some six OF seven hun
dred votes.
II the Democrats OF Virginia shall de-
eide TO sink all other questions, and make
opposition TO protection the party shlbbo-
= leth, the call for the Convention ought to
set forth that fact, so that the members Of
that BODY may all be OF the right stripe.