Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-05-26
Malone Dpfanded,

WILLIAM c. ELAN, Esq, has written let
ter to the Washington Republican, and it was
published yesterday, in which be under
takes to Justify General MIHoNE's action in
the Petersburg Convention. The RcDu6ii-
can joins issue with him. Mr.. ELAN asks:
"Whst Law allows or authorizes these men
| 10 pursue this course OF isctious dissensiou
ana differentiation in defiinc. Of the regu.
| larly conItituted representatives OF the peO-
| pie and psrtyi"
The Republican replies:
Wetuswer: The law laid Down by the
| National CoaVeptlsn Of the party, which Is
the supreme Law Of the party, aud to which
! all state organizations and laws must give
heed and must obey. That law We have
already quoted mere than ones. II il plain,
| distinct, and mandatory, and requires the
| district delegates 20 be selected in the same
nauusr that candidates for Congress arc
| selected"
"Nr. Elan does not claim thgt this law
was complied VITA when delegates for the
various districts Of Virginia were selected at
Petersburg, but to justify the sciion cites
similar seton en- the part Of other States. hr.
| Elan knows this is no justification. Two
wrongs or q hAltd0zcu wrongs do rot make
one right, and 80 far "a We know no Repuhll.
| caus in tho State spoken Of objected TO the
methods adopted. But in Virginia they did
object. Mr.. Esm shows that the motion was
made In the Eighth District Convention 10
adjourn 10 some place In tie district, as the
national idlD required.
This pdS sufficient. The rights Of the
minority must be respected, or justice fdilS."
That's good point which the Republican
makes In italics. AgHn:
"The (Mshone) majority euGeayOred to
biRd the political action Of the minOriiy-to
rule the political conscience by the enforce
ment of the unit rule. Each congressional
district is a law unto itself, 50 far as the Sc
lection Of congressman and delegates to the
National Convention is concerned, AID no
number OF districts, assembled either IN Dis
trict Or state ConV ention, have the right 10
bind another klstrict. This principle has
been distinctly established by two National
Conventions OF the psrty."
Mr.. ELAN estimates Mfr. WIsE's forces at
low figure, Ne says:
"Surey we are not strong enough to have
ttrO Republican parties in this State, even II
that Of the MuSwulnp, and dlsorganizers is
very, rery little one"
"a very, rery little one i'good.
Again; Mr.. ELAN says:
" But you actually recognize these men and
their conspiracy y. the regular organization
Of the Republican party OF Virginia when
YOU say las you d0) that the Republican
Congressional Committee o! the Eighth Viz.
s,pis district have called q convention TO
meet at Alexandria, &c. Looking TO the
alleged call, see the names OF hessrs Lewis
Mckenzie, Iiesry Lighlisot. and Y2rdley
L. Brown appended " IL. when these very
signcrs participated, With all their SYM
palhi2ing associates frem this district, In
Tue regular convention OF the Eighta dis
trlct at Petersburg sn the l9lh instant
which elected bessrs. Montague, Perkins,
ana Baldwin the congressional csmmlt-
zee OF This district; In fact, Rope OF thea
leit until Hon. John :. Wise, With 6S DELE
gales cut sf $50, withdrew from the State
convention, at which time our District Con-
senucn, totIh these gentlemen present (hr.
imsiey i. Brown secretary Of the bodf,
hGd tuiig completed It's laborS. and was on
the pslnt OF aeisurnins sine de, a. 1t did
Immediately after they had gone. They
had voted on every proposition, and Me.srs.
htrotber ana Elan, with their altersatss,
had been appointed district delegates OF tnls
district 10 Chicago by the District Conven-
tion OF whica they were active, voting, and
speaking members before they retired.
They bad moved 10 adjourn 10 another
time and place inside the district, but this
being voted down and motion 10 proceed
70 the election Of delegates, &C., being car