The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-02-28
The Situation in Virginia.


The Situation in Virginia.
The Straightout Republican Committee,
If which Hon. j. T. Dezendorf is Chair
nan, met in Richmond On the 21st inst,
twenty-five members being present-and
decided to call State Convention to meet
n Richmond on the 30th of April, to ap-
point delegates to the National Republican
Convention, and select Presidential Elec-
tors to be voted for in November next. We
have the promise in this action of Mr..
Dezendorf's Committee Of contesting del
egations at Chicago, and of two electoral
tickets in Virginia, professedly in the
interest of the candidates for President
and Vice President, who may be nomi-
mated by the Republican National Conven-
ton which meets on the Sd of June.
In anticipation of the possibility of |
some such action as this, the VIReINIAN |
has for the past two months been endeav-
oring to suggest some plan by which two
Conventions and two delegations would be
obyiated, and all the elements opposed to
the Bourbon Democracy united into one
organization. The suggestions we have
made have met with popular approval to
a larger degree than we had expected, but
those in authority have not felt disposed to
enter into any arrangement by which con-
centration of forces and harmony of move
ment might be accomplished. If the Re
adjuster and Coalition Republican Com
mittees, which met in Richmond on the
10th and called State Convention for the
23d of April, made any advancement to the
Straightout wing of the Republican party,
the public has not been made acquainted
with it. We are as consequence pre-
scented with the spectacle of two organiza-
tions protesting to desire to see the cleo
toral vote of Virginia cast for the Chicago
nominees of the Republican Convention,
adopting means to defeat that object
Instead of concentration and the surren-
der of personal antagonisms, in order to
achieve common result, we see mani
festeda purpose to aggravate the differ
ences that already exist, and to sacrifice
great cause to the ambition of recognized
leaders. With this spirit and this condi-
ton of things we are fully convinced that
the great mass of the people who compose
the several factions have no Sympathy
We have heard but one expression of opin-
ion, in an extensive inquiry of the rank
and file, and that was regret that some
steps had not been taken, in consonance
with the line of policy we have presented,
to reconcile the conflicting interests and
bring into one organization all who wish
to defeat the Democratic party in the
national contest of 1884. 1t requires no
argument to make plain the fact, that as
things now stand, it would be fruitless
labor to make compaign in this State.
The Chicago Convention might with pro-
priety dismiss both delegations and count
Virginia out of the campaign, for defeat
would be assured before the fight would
be commenced. And this, too, in face of
the fact that with union of forces and
harmony of action, the electoral vote of
:. Virginia could be as safely counted on for
the Republican Presidential nominees as
that of any other doubtful State in the
Union.
No rational reason presents itself to
justify this state of things. We are forced
to the conclusion that personal spites and
selfish purposes are paramount to the sue
cess Of great cause, and the people will
be called upon to witness their strength
frittered away in suicidal struggle of the
''leaders for some unnamed object, for
eign to the primary ends for which parties
are formed. If it is to make choice Of
delegates pledged to any particular candi-
date, it will be obnoxious to the sentiment
of the thoughtful and patriotic Of the
party not only in Virginia, but throughout
the Union. For if ever there was a fact
made prominent in the incipiency of a
great national contest, it is that men are
to be made subordinate to the cause, and
the choice of the convention will have to
measure up to the principles and moral
forces which have given to the Republican
party its prestige and drawn to it the conf
dence and support of the better sentiment
Of the country. The evidences that are
pressing to the front clearly indicate that
the class of delegates that will be as
sembled in Chicago on the Sd of June
next, will compare favorably with any
body of men which has ever met in a de-
Lucrative body in this country, rejecting
the manhood, the individuality, the indie
pendence, the patriotism of the Republi-
can party, commissioned by their own con-
sciences, as well as their constituents, to
study the interests Of our Republican in
stitutions and the highest ideal of gov
eminent of the people, by the people and
for the people, in the characters they will
select to present to the country for popu-
lar approval in November next. Labelled
delegations will be out of place at that con-
vocation. The schemes of the mere poll
: ticians will have no consideration but
that of contempt, in the deliberations and
conclusions, for the aroused consciousness
of the country is going to demand not
only clean convention but clean candi-
dates, divorced from the plots of trading
politicians and the suspicion Of all ar
rangements, based on future rewards for
services rendered. The conscience OF the
country must be consulted and not the
devisements of politicians, if success is to
be attained, for as certain as the selections
of candidates for President and Vice
President do not reach to the stature of
the statesmen of the earlier days of the
Republican party, they will encounter
either the silent or aggressive hostility of
the independent voters North and West in
sufficient force to determine the result
against them.
1t will be well enough for the factions in
Virginia to consider these influences in
their further movements and delibel ations.
And if they give them that weight they
should command they will see the folly OF
perpetuating antagonisms because of perso-
nal antipathies, and persisting in carrying
their differences to the convention for adj
justment, in the hope that one faction will