The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-01-31
Views on Republican Reorganiza-
ton.
LYNNwooD, Jan. oath. 1884.

LYNNwooD, Jan. oath, 1884.
Editors VALLEY Virgsiaaap
had made up my mind to give up party
politics, and had determined to resign the
office Of Lieut. Governor. when 1 believed
the Coalition party would be victorious at
our last general election. But defeat, if
not disaster, was the result, and I would
have been recreant to the trust confided to
ne by majority of the voters Of Virginia
if 1 had followed my inclination to ssTetire
to the shades of private life' at such a
time.
| | am in receipt of letters by the score,
and am asked daily. ''What can be done
to unite the discordant elements of oppo-
sition to the Democratic party ?"I will
answer these queries through the press.
| for two reason The first is to get rid of
the trouble OF writing many letters, and
the second to publish more fully my views
upon this important question.
In my opinion, it is dbsolatelu necessary
to have. at an early day. thorough reor-
ganization of the Republican party in Vir-
ginia, by a Convention OF THE PEOPLE.
In speaking of the Republican party, in
clude all who are opposed to Bourbon
ism = and who intend to support the nomi-
nees OF the next Republican National
Convention.
This convention must be chosen by the
Republican masses, and not be manipula-
ted by Federal office holders. / was at the
birth OF the Republican party in Virginia.
and have attended with one exception
all its conventions, and / have seen it
waste away year by year, month by
month, and day by day, and all because Of
too much packing of conventions by the
Federal office holders. There was too
much boSS-toO little people.
Ii convention that will represent the
masses can be assembled, and the leaders
OF the different factions have enough
patriotism to take upon themselves the
sacrificing ordinance, and allow the people
to control it, then we can give 6 Bourbon
Ism = Waterloo defeat, and rid Virginia
OF the misrule Of the most revolutionary
and mischieyous organization that has
ever cursed any State in this Nation.
The measures OF the Coalition party are
right, and have done more to advance the
interests OF the laboring classes than those
OF any party that has ever had an exist
ence in Virginia. Then why can we not
come together in a spirit Of patriotic har-
mony?
1t is manifest to the dulleSt comprehen-
sion that unless all the elements Of oppo-
sition to Bourhonism are crystalized into
one mass, defeat is inevitable, and the
government of the State is given over to
the Democratic party.
What difference does it make who calls
convention OF who is elected to preside
over it, if all are actuated by the same
desire to redeem the State, and to give it's
electoral vote to the nominees of the
National Republican Convention
Then let us forget past differences. and
sacrifice our personal feelings upon the
altar of patriotism and success will crown
our efforts.
The most difficult problem to solve is
how can such a convention be gotten
together [ have heard several plans dis
cussed; the one that strikes me as the
most feasible, is to have two conventions
-one to be elected by the old Republicans,
the other to be elected by the new issue, .
to meet at some point on the same day, so
that a conference can be had, and all diff
ferences settled. ] am not welded to my
plan, and am only DESTROYS of securing
harmony. | am willing to fight under the |
lead of any one, who may be the choice of
a properly constituted convention
[ have purposely ignored the discussion
OF any letters or addresses put forth or
written by any one or by any Committee, |
them all calculated to widen
the differences amongst those who ought |
to be united.
If such Convention as have described
cannot be assembled, then we may as well |
hang our s'harps upon the willows, = and | |
for one will try to attend tony private bust |
ness as best can under Democratic misr,ae |
Respectfully, JOHN f. LEWIS.