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

oI which Capt. j. Ill. Hives was elected
Chairman, we knew nothing of the cir
attending it, as we were not
in the Hall where that Convention was
held. Whether the facts are as our cores
pondent states them or not, the call for a
Convention on the 23d of April is SUBJ
for Republican Convention, as
we have every reason now to believe. Del
egates will be appointed to attend the Re
publican National Convention to meet in
Chicago on the Sd of June next, and all
who participate in the proceedings at
will be pledged to support
the nominees for President and Vice
President the Republican National
Convention may present. We do not
doubt either that the State Conven-
tion will declare for the Republican party
in the approaching Presidential contest,
and will to all intents and purposes be
as fully committed to the cause our
correspondent wishes to succeed, as he
is himself. We recognize the propriety
of the primary meetings, as well as the
Readjuster Committee meeting on the
18th of February, refraining from decla-
ration of Republican identity. They had
no authority to do otherwise. They were
the creatures of State Readjuster Con-
yention, and nothing short of the author
ity of another State Convention could en-
power them to modify their political rela-
tions. When the Convention meets on
the 2sd of April, we have no doubt such
action will be taken as will meet the ap-
proval of "Private,'' and all sincere
straightouts who are not controlled by perso.
nal prejudices, at the expense of the inter
ests of the Republican party. In the dis.
cussion of the situation we have been gov
erned by purpose to gain this assurance
and being now fully satisfied that such
will be the case, we shall give to the 23rd
of April convention our earnest support
We have had and have now no personal
likes Or dislikes to crafty, but been con-
trolled by desire to promote the interests
of the Republican party, and in doing that
the interests of the Union and Virginia
as we believe. We can see no reason why
all Republicans should not unite in being
represented in that body. A State Con-
vention pledged to the Republican nomi-
nees-that sends delegates to participate
in making the Republican Presidential
nominations, declares its purpose to do all
that it is possible for it to do to elect them,
ought to meet the most exacting demands
of the most. exacting Republican who
does not make personal considerations par.
amount to party success. We have dis
cussed the irregularities, the uncertainties
and doubts, attending this Coalition from
a Republican standpoint, and presented
reasons to justify the position we have
assumed. These presentations have been
made for a purpose-to impress the neces-
sity, as an essential means Of success,
of declaring an unconditional support to
the nominees of the Chicago Convention
whoever they may be-a proper recogni-
tion of the Republicans of the State in all
things, so there might be no valid excuse
for any Republican Withholding his coop
Grafton in a supreme effort to place Vir.
ginia where her true interests command
that she should be and rescue her from
the clutch of Bourbon Democracy. We
are convinced that these things will ali
be brought about, but not precisely in the
way we had suggested, or at first thought
most expedient. The substantial end
however, which we have contended for,
and we hope our correspondent desires
also, we believe will be attained. and be.
cause of this conviction, based on tangi-
BILE and undoubted facts, we have ne hesi-
tation in adyising every Republican in the
State to lend his aid to strengthen the
movement and place it's success beyond
peradventure.
SThe communication of Mr.. ]. W. P0r.
ter, elsewhere published, was intended fol
last weeks issue. 1t did not appear, fol
the reason that it's personal references
were distasteful to us, and obnoxious to
the rule that governs this journal in the
matter that appears in it's columns. But
as Mr.. Porter thinks the non-appearance
of the article, ostensibly reply to ssVox
Populi," which was published several
weeks ago, denies him justice, we give it
insertion, in order to remove all cause of
complaint. Our aim has been to do the
fair thing to all of our correspondents and
to admit discussion from every legitimate
standpoint that could have bearing on
the political situation in Virginia. Hav-
ing had no other object in view than to
obtain expression of public opinion, and
to show that Cancellation and concession
were essentially necessary to secure sue
cess this fall, we have allowed latitude
of remark and freedom of criticism,
from both sides, that under ordinary Cir
cumstances, we should have protested
against. This liberty has been INDUCED
in some instances, at the expense of our
views of expediency, but we have not made
our own judgment the exact standard by
which our correspondents should be
guided. Whether the motives which have
governed us have been properly appreciated
we know not, but of one thing we feel as
sured, that there is a better understanding
now than there was two months ago, and a
more catholic spirit prevailing between
the different factions than we really ex'
pected to see. 1t seems to US, indeed, that
the way is clear for active and cordial CO.
operation on the part of all who are op-
posed to Bourbonism, and that no valid
excuse can be offered by any one who re-
CARDS the success of the Republican party
as above any mere personal antipathy or
individual grievance, for Withholding his
support from the April 23d Convention.
While we have referred to the claim of
regularity in the several organizations and
given our opinion of it, to correct what
we regarded as errors of fact, we have not
considered it essential in any respect, at
this time. The political conditions in
Virginia have been very much confused
ever since 1880. There are interests in
volved in this contest paramount to any
mere question of regularity, and we do
not deem it of Importance, in their pres
ence, to higgle about forms and technical
tiles. What we want in this canvass is a
concentration of forces, under competent
leadership, to engage and defeat the Bour-
bons in November next. That will be