The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-10-10
The Conference of Republicans.

The Conference of Republicans.
We had only time and space last week
to make brief reference to the confer
ence of Republicans held in Richmond
on the list inst. The declarations OF that
body composed of Republicans from
every Congressional district in the State
were short and pointed--suffciently com
nrehensiye and clear to make manifest
the reasons for their action and the pur-
pose they entertained. The whole pro
ceedings were characterized by calm de-
termination, conscious right and COM
mendable conservatism The speeches
on the occasion were appropriate, con-
else and forceful. That of Hon. .Jno. S.
Wise was the ablest and most eloquent
to which we ever listened. He traced
the origin of his association with the
Republican party, his intimate persona
and political relations with Gen. Ma
hone, their separation and the cause fol
il =: and the nature of the man. In des-
crlOlnE lIle iiiliCiit. VI
Malone. Mr.. Wise was especially i'm
pressive and perspicuous. He then pro
ceeded to assign the necessity for the
protest that many Republicans of Nir-
ginia had made. were making and
intended still further to make against
his election. He declared that the in
tegrity and existence of the party in
this State demanded that Gen. Malone
should be defeated and that by a ma,
jority that would leave no false impress
sion either upon the Republicans of the
State or Nation. 1t was an opportunity
that would not again present Itself, II
not awaited of now. to publish to the
world the true condition OF the party
in Virginia, and the reasons which influ-
enced the reluctant action of those who
were determined that the relentless tyr
amy of Malone should be rebuked and
repudiated.
Gen. Groner, who preceded Mr.. Wise,
declared his views very dispassion-
ately, but none the less emphatic. He
gave the statement of the facts and con-
ditions connected with the so-called
compromise, which was published by
several members of the National Com
mittee. and concluded with the assertion
that Gen Malone had violated that
understanding in every particular and
had emphasized his purpose by declin-
ing to sign the agreement, after having
positively promised to do so.
Other speakers Ex-senator Lewis,
Jacob Yost. Gov. Cameron, Mr.. Camp
bell, Of Fauquier. J. A. Frazier, DIR.
Norton, Mr.. Merchant, Mr.. Heermans,
Col. Pendleton. MIR. H inc. and several 9th
ers. addressed themst Ives to the business
of the conference, in positive and point
ed terms. and were heartily in sympathy
with the conclusion that Messrs. Groner
and Wise had outlined-the defeat OF
Malone as the necessary means to pre-
serve the Republican, party.
In the conclusion OF all these speakers
the entire conference concurred. There
was not dissenting voice or a hesitat-
ing mind While there was sincere re-
greet that such a necessity had risen,
there was but one sentiment as to the
way to meet it, and that was to work for
the overthrow of Mahoneism.
Gen. Groner assumed that Malone
was already defeated. that he had de-
feated himself, and there was not enough
influence either within or without the
State to change that result. He believed
the majority would be forty thousand,
and gave his reasons for it. based upon
facts he was certain existed. and which
no power Malone could invoke could
change.
From inquiry made of intelligent mem
bers of the conference from the several
districts. we are satisfied that Gen. Gro
ner was right Malone is alreadydefeated
and the determined spirit manifested al
the meeting, indicated that the predlc-
ton would be emphasized at the ballot
box in November next.
We do not think We have ever met
with more earnest body of men-men
who were-infiuenced by more unselflsh
motives, or who were more sincerely I'M
pressed with 2 sense of party duty. They
were the men, too, who had heretofore
been in the front of the fight for the
cause of the Repu blican party. in every
contest we have had in the State for the
last ten years. They embrace much OF
the ability and influence of the party
and have done more to give Gen. Ma
hone his prominence and effect Repub-
liean success in the past than all the
prominent Republicans who are now
identified with his campaign. These
men, numbering among them some thirty
of the most prominent and influential
colored men in the State. were of one
opinion as to the result. Each one gave
it as his confident belief, judging from
his own locality, that the defeat of the
Norfolk ticket was certain. and that by
such a pronounced majority as would
leave no room to doubt its significance.
as well as its salutary effect upon the
party hereafter.
There were earnest Republicans from
every congressional district, as we have
SAID. VINO naQ come together IOr IHe
purpose of consulting as to the best
means to relieve the party from the
despotic control of one man. They were
animated by a common motive and for
a common cause, and were argeed upon
the one essential thing to do, to save the
party from destruction and that was tf e
defeat of Malone.
We cannot see what other result is to
be recorded in November next. We do
not believe Gen. Malone will carry a
single congressional district, if the SEN
timent divulged at the conference was
expressive of the feeling in the I'd and
4th districts, where the larger Republi
can majorities have heretofore been OBJ
tanned The colored members were as
pronounced and emphatic, if not more
so. as were the white members and the
general voice was that Mahoneism was
already doomed.
The Stranger from Without.
= A number of Northern Republicans
have been invited into Virginia to speak
in behalf of the Norfolk ticket. Some
of them have already spoken, and will