Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-05-02

We infer from the Staunton VINDICA-
TORS reply to recent article in the State
that it favOrs instrUcting the delegates to
the Democratic National Convention
The INDICATOR must hold, then, that
State convention meeting in May is better
able to determine all questions of Demo-
cratic policy in a presidential campaign
than its representatives in the National
convention, which meets nearly two
months representatives who should
be chosen because of their loyalty and IN
telligence, and who should be left free
to consult with other representatives from
every State in the Union as to who shall
be the candidate and what shall be the
platform. We earnestly protest against
an attempt being made to force this gag
law upon the delegates who should be sent
to Chicago uninStructed, no less as
mark of confidence than as the wisest
course that could be taken. 1t the dele
gates are to be transported to Chicago
bound hand and foot, there are few men
who will consent to accept such an lrk-
some honor.--Richmond State.
The State Convention meeting in May
will be better able to determine what is
for the interest of Virginia, now taking
her first steps on prosperous career as
mining and manufacturing State, than any
other body that can possibly assemble
anywhere. 1t is such body, and such a
body only, that is "better able to deter
mine'' what policy the delegates of Vir-
ginia shall aid in ENGRAVING on the Ma
tional platform. We do not doubt that
the "loyalty and intelligence" of those
delegates, who may wish to go from Vir.
GINA, favoIing plank on which Morrison,
of Illinois, according to his own letter an
aspirantl, may stand, are equal to the 10y
| atty and intelligence of those who wish
plank upon which the Democracy may
win victory, and upon which no advo-
cate of the Morrison bill can consistently
stand. But as our delegates are supposed
to represent in that convention what Vir-
ginia needs for her material interest,", and
as it is disputed point among her people
what she does need, we desire that to be
settled at our State Convention. We want
no delegates instructed as to men, but we
earnestly desire that they shall be instruct
ed as to the policy of the State. If our
people are divided on that, let the division
U6 Soou III Gu6 uoleSdtlOu, IL tuoy diO Uuo
little divided, let that little be seen. We
earnestly protest against the old and
feudal system of men securing enough
personal retainers in convention by
work. personal popularity, political or So
cial influence, but wholly without regard
to fixed policy, to send them to the Ma
tional Convention. and enable them to pro-
pound a policy in that convention directly
opposed to that of the people who sent
them. For instance, a man prominent in
the past in defending States rights, should
not therefore be sent to Chicago to put a
''tariff for revenue only' plank in the
platform, or ''free trade" plank, when
both will be sure death to the nominee
and neither are favored by the people who
send the delegation. Let the convention
instruct its delegates as to its policy; as
to the man, we don't care fig. The Vlr
ginia Democracy mist spea6-why not at
the convention in May?