The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-02-11
what Does It Mean ?

The Petersburg fNucS-HppfVt Va yosto'-
day has the following mysterious para
graphs:
f" Are there any Massachusetts, Demo
Gratis IN virginias Are there any at Rich
mond, or Petersburg, or Lynchburg, who
wish 10 keep the party conveniently
small IN anticipation OF Democratic sue
cesses In the next presidential election
We are afraid there are such. Not many,
perhaps, Just as there are MOI many Tcai
irec-traders IN the country, but possibly
enough TO bring disaster TO the coming
VIRGINIA elections as the 'tarifl-for-revenue-
only men brought defeat to Hancock anu
English in 1880.
ave have given our opinion as 10 .ns
date ct which q State convention, II neiu
OF all. should be held, and have urged tnat
the call for such convention shoulo DC
broad and comprehensive enough to admit
nv representation, and on terms OF perfect
eo,,olify. every man, white or black,
Fupder or RfHdjuster, who was willing TO
work and vote for Democratic success ~
1884. With such q call, and convention
based on Il, the State may be counted on
for great majority against the Republican
Marty. With The Massachusetts tactics, on
the other hand. the result Is very doubtiul.
We hone the rumors, coming from various
sources. Of g proscriptiyc policy TO be pur-
sued arc without any foundation. Such
course would not only be Immediately dis
astrous here, but might iniuriousiy Affect
general result later"
The Inder-Appecl explains that by the
phrase Massachusetts, tactics" it means
the policy Of keeping the Democratic party
OF Virginia so small that the Federal Offices
10 be distributed after 1854 by the expected
Democratic national Administration may
not he open to too much competition.
Are there in Richmond any "Massachu-
sets Democrats ,? None that we know
Of. And yet the language OF our Peters
burg contemporary must point to the mem
bers either Of the State Central Committee
or OF the State Executive Committee, see
ing that il speaks Of the kind OF call that IS
TO be issued for convention. We are not
the organ OF the Executive Committee, nor
have we consulted its chairman on the sub
ject OF this article; but we know enough
concerning his "tactics " TO justify us in
saving that instead OF iaynring "pro-
scriptive policy" towards the Democratic
Readjusters, he has interested himself IN
trying TO secure the presence Of their lead
ers at the meeting this week OF the State
Central Committee.
II is possible that the Inde@-AppedI fears
n "proscriptiye policy" as regards the
tariff question. We hardly suppose that it
does; but itsreiercnce TO the tariff platform
OF the Democratic party in 1880 may posi-
bly, bear that construction. On this point,
also. the iRde%-Appedl may quiet its appre-
tensions. Our neighbor of the STATE has
spoken for the reyenuoreformers, and in
no doubtful phrases. We have once re-
produced is patriotic article; but in view
of the Inder-AppeoPS reference to q
"tsriff for revenue only" we will repeat
its publication. The State says:
"No true Democrat, we take it, there
fore, will desert the great party OF the peo-
pie, the party that is the peoples only hope,
and which alone can carry them through
to the full establishment OF perfect gov
eminent, absolute seIi-government, be-
cause he cannot compel his party to accept
all OF his notions, to support all OF his IT,
terests. We believe that low taxation, a
low tariff, a small army, small navy, few
officials, and these paid no more than per-
sons performing like duties in private life,
with few pensioners on the bounty OF the
people, and privileges for none, is the true
theory OF q democratic republic, and
we will always be found advocating these
things; yet we shall not expect to
have the entire party in full agreement
with us upon every one OF them, nor will
that DC any reason for Withdrawing from
our party. These ere mere questions OF
policy or cXpediency. not at all touching
the principles upon which the Democratic
structure has been raised, and which dis
tinguished il from any other party that has
ever been formed. The Democratic party
was not made, but born. 1t had its birth
in the hearts as It has its life in the wants
and aspirations OF the people, and while
the principles which were born with il sur
vive it cannot die; but as these are imm0r-
tai its life must be eternal and unchange-
able, surviving unframed the overthrow OF
governments and parties, which are but
the creation of man,
Returning, then, to The first point, we
may say that we have had letters from
many OF the prominent Democrats OF the
State, and have talked with number OF
others, and have yet 70 see and hear from
the first one Who is not in favor Of pursu-
ing the most liberal policy in regard TO tho
Democratic Readiusters. Ii these gentle
men speak for the State Central Committee
all Democrats VIII be invited to participate
in the meetings which will be held to ap'
point delegates to the State Convention
in the Convention itself, and in the contest
that will follow the Convention. The only
point upon which they do not all agree il
as to the proper time to hold the State Con.
vcntion.