The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-01-03
REORGANIZATION.

We publish elsewhere several letters
which have reached us, in response to ed
itorials--t that have appeared in the VIRGIN
IAN, advocating the reorganization of the
Republican party i'll Virginia. Reference
is also made to other letters received re-
ferring to the same subject, but marked
''private," and consequently we do not
feel at liberty to give their names.
We cannot commend the spirit Of sew
eral of the letters wepublish. There is q
want of comprehension of the situation,
it seems tos,us, and the absence OF desire
to encompass the primary object had in
view-placing all the elements opposed to
the Democratic party in Virginia on a
common platform. ignoring past differ
ences, and looking primarily and solely to
success in the State in November next
This spirit cannot contribute to the
end desired, nor produce harmony in
the forces without whose united action
nothing affirmative can be accomplished.
The letter of Capt. Rives is concilatory
and patriotic, and should form the basis of
an arrangement by which crystilization OF
anti Bourbon influences ought to be eff
fected. In the same spirit is the colnnu-
nication of DR.. Gilmer, manifesting an
earnest desire to bring together all the ele
ments that naturally ought to be combined
for common object.
We cannot too frequently enforce the
proposition that it will be useless to make
canvass in this State next year. if there
is not unity of purpose and effort on the
part of those who stand in opposition to
the Bourbon Democracy. 1t is equally APP
parent, as we have before stated, that no
reorganization can be REACHED unless 1.-THE
leaders in the different factions can bring
themselves to the point of surrendering
some of their preconceived notions and
sacrificing prejudices. the outgrowth of
past differences on local questions. 1t is
very certain that neither of the commit
tees, as now constituted. can command the
following of the other, and not to recog
nize this transparent fact. is either to man
fest inexcusable ignorance or indefensi-
BILE obstinacy. If those who ire looked to
as leaders and assume that attitude. can
not understand the situation and are so
blinded by prejudice that they do not re-
| cogniZe the difficulties to be adjusted in
order to achieve success. and who are dis
posed to persist in the delusion that they
| can command a successful canvass. it will
be useless to eXpend any further argument
Oh direct other efforts to effect reorgani-
! ton. 1t is very certain. without some
better understanding than now exists
there will be two sets of delegates from
| Virginia to the National Convention seek
ing for admission and claiming to repre-
sent the Republicans of Virginia. The
differences thus indicated will be carried
into the canvas and the result the over
whelming triumph of the Democratic
| ticket. as far as this State is concerned
Neither faction would recognize the other,
while neither would reflect the sentiment
I mere scramble for precedence on the part
Of assumed leaders, in the hope of recog
milton hereafter in the dispensati0n of
patronage attesting hat mercenary con-
| siderations were higher with them than
the principles of the party and the success
of the nominees OF the Chicago Conyen-
ton. The people are ready for action, and
with them there would be but little diff
Guilty in agreeing on Il plan to unite the
several factions. The leaders hesitate, for
no other reason, it appears to MS. than the
fear that some one might have precedence
over some one else. In this way. from
present indications, the twelve electoral
votes of Virginia will be lost to the
Republican candidates for President and
Vice President, which may determine the
result in November next.
The question presents itself then. is the
vote of Virginia to be frittered away be-
cause half-doZen men are so inflated with
ambition that they would rather sacrifice
a great cause than their petty personal
prejudices 1t is this phase of the mat
ter that the people have to consider, and
with them we leave it. commenting to
them the spirit Of Capt. Rives brief note.
which meets the case exactly ,anlif all 9TH
ers are rs well disposed as he is. would
make plain the way to success.