Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-06-06
The address of the Boilers,

The Committee appointed by the Re-
publican boilers at the Petersburg Conven-
ton to issue an address giving the reasons
which impelled them to the adoption of a
separate organization, have performed that
duty, and the address has been published.
1t is quite long, and we have room only for
the conclusion which is as follows
At that stage of the proceedings, and it
being manifest in the light of the conduct
of the chairman and his friends in this and
IN all the other cases of contest, that our
rights would not be respected, it was de-
termined to withdraw for conference. Upon
conference we unanimously resolved that
there was no hope for any fairness from
those holding the party machinery, aud nc
hope of securing our rights no matter what
our majority, under the plan of organize
ton, as they have the machinery and can
crush out majorities with it with all ease.
In the way that convention was formed
and with the chairman of eight or more
counties in which no meetings had been
held voting the full strength of their coun-
ties, there is no telling what those present
as the friends of the unit rule and plan OF
organization did really represent or how
they were selected. Revolution against the
plan of organization is the only hope of de.
stroying it. To fight against it and under
it at the same time is as idle as to attack a
buzz saw edgewise. The same thing which
may be destroyed easily by a side attack
can destroy ten times its strength if the
attacking party will fight it on the groove
in which it saws.
After careful watching of the operations
of the plan of organization as conducted by
the state chairman, we have resolved that
we will not submit to that plan. 1t will
destroy the virility and the voice of any
party, and place it at the mercy of one-man
power whenever he chooses to exert that
power. 1t is contrary to every tenet of re-
publicanism and destructive to our man.
hood. In our Judgment, it not only repels
recruits, by the feeling that in joining our
party they are enlisting in the service of an
individual but it is so framed as to place
it in the power of any chairman who may
be vindictive to expel, if he see fit to put
the full party machinery to bear upon him,
the most trusted veteran in one ranks. We
think it requires no argument and illustra-
ton to demonstrate that this may be done.
The history of the past is too recent.
The unit rule, in our judgment has been
repudiated beyond question by the repub-
lican party. Why it should be revived
here, and made condition of loyalty, we
are at loss to conceive, unless it be for the
purpose of delivering our whole vote by
contract.
The course insisted upon of demanding
that all district conventions be held first in
Petersburg, beyond the limits of their dis.
tficts, was a violation of the party law.
But, while both of these things relate to
| national nolitics rather than tn state thew
have influenced our action to this extent.
They show, in our present party manage
ment, a reckless self-suffioiency which
cares nothing whatever for precedent or
authority, that pauses at nothing which
it wishes to do by any considerations of
what any one else has thought or what the
feelings of any one else may be-and that
is determined to rule or ruiz the republican
party of Virginia.
This being apparent 10 these as 10 all
other things, we despaired Of accomplish
ing anything under the plan of organization
and its present management, and encour-
aged by the countenance given to insur-
gents in the convention from which we re-
tired we resolved to express our convictions
by independent action. Until these things
are reformed there can be no united party
in Virginia, and We appeal to all republi-
cans to join with US, as against the plan of
organization complained of believing as we
do that it enables designing ones to sink
the principles and policies of republican
ism, and subordinate them to the wishes of
one ambitious and malicious man. To this
end we invite meetings in every county of
the commonwealth, organization under our
plan, and communication Of the facts to
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