The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-03-27

Riitor Trginian
Was Captain Rives elected chairman of the
Opera House wing of the Coalition party in
preference to Col. Brady because he had led the
'sStraightouts" in the Staunton convention of
1880 and because his election would be a guar
Kepublican State Convention in 1881? heard
it stated at the time by Republicans having at
thority to speak upon the subject. that they
went into the Coalition for that campaign and
only in State politics, but that in the campaign
of 1854 they would cease to hold relations with
any party save the National Republican party,
and when some Republicans expressed doubts
about surrendering our organization these Re
publicans pointed to Captain Klyes and ms ms
time come take such steps as were essential to
hold Republican state Convention, and fur
ther stated that Col. Brady was Mahone's choice
for chairmon, but the Republicans refused to
trust him to carry out their wish in this matter
OF calling Republican State Convention in 1884.
It was said, that, Col. Brady was elected, how
ever, upon the suggestion of Capt. Rlves, as
Chairman of the Executive Committee, as an
evidence to Gen. Malone and his friends that
those Republicans who were engaged IN the Co
aIition movement were in earnest in their sup
port OF the other wing upon State issues, and i'll
National politics they would hold convention
of Republicans as had been the custom, elect
delegates to them and select eee f t
National Republican party, and it was under
stood by Gen. Malone. or SO claimed by those
who represented him at that time to the Re
publican wing, that neither he nor his friends
would do anything to complicate the consum-
nation OF this desire upon the part of the Re-
puplicans, they almost pledged themselves not
to vote against the nominees of the Republican
party, and upon the other hand they encouraged
the Republicans to believe that they would
support them in substantial manner In ma
tional politics. You are no doubt aware that
those Republicans who refused to support Co
alitlon did SO for the reason they doubted the
lack of good faith upon the part of men with
whom they had never been allied ponulcally
nor had opportunity to test their sincerity, ana
who SO prOfusely promised that in National
issues we should be free and untrammelled, IN
the management of our Orgaization, in the mat
ter of Republican State Convention. This
was the all important Issue for which the Re
publicans in the Opera House meeting contend
ed and upon which Capt. Rives was elected as
chairman of the Republican wing of Coalition
1t was public proclamation that there should
be no question or doubt about the holding OF q
Republican State Convention in 1854, he repre-
scented that sentiment then, his election was to
purpose. Have, or can the Republicans be foiled
Dy Col. Brady? Has Captain Rives Jailed to
comply with his pledge to the Opera House Re
publicans? Have those Republicans Deen d.
yerted from their resolutions there made and
purposes publicly expressad and endorsed by
their fellow republicans there assembled has
Republican State Convention been called by
the Opera House meetings authorized delegated
representatives? These questions must finally
be settled upon the soil of Virginia. and let US
as Republicans face these facts and realize
that Washington and Chicago compromises.
concessions and bargains only relegate back
to us at home here in Virginia the settle.
ability q continued crushing out OF Republl-
cans,a bitter internal strife, and barren, fruit
less result in the of the principles and Repub-
lican canvas this year.
Respectfully, PRIVATE.
Lynchburg, Va, March IL, 1851