The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-07-04

l1SnoQ DelOW, WHICH we UIlu III Quf cA-
changes, that steps are being taken look
ing to organization for the approaching
State election. 1t reads:
REPUBLICAN Rooms,
STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, 7
PETERSBURG, VA June %, 1869.
State Committee at Petersburg. on Tuesday, the
9th day OF next July, at O'Clock p. m, and
we desire to consult then as many OF the work,
ing members OF the party from eacn Guy ana
county as can be induced to meet us.
The conference will take into consideration
matters of paramount concern to the party ana
o vital force respecting the campaign on which
" are about to enter
You are earnestly requested to attend tnls
conference, and you are authorized to invite any
Republican OF your city or county VINO Will
come and can be relied upon to do the share OF
work allotted to him in the campaign soon TO
begin.
Upon the conclusions reached by the confer
ence depends our success in this falls election
Yours truly truly ovn c,s,,n,,n
ASA ROGERS, Sec'y.
1t is in no hypercritical spirit that we
refer to this circular and dissent from the
method it proposes. There cannot be
any matter affecting the interests OF the
Republican party of the State, that
could not be better passed upon in
county or district meetings through the
election of delegates to a State Conven-
ton rejecting the sentiment of the people
than in the manner suggested in this let
ter. The call for the Committee to meet
on the 9th inst, is a necessary prelimi-
nary action to the call for a State Con-
vention But the authority given to the
members of the committee to invite such
Republicans as may, in the estimation ct
he members, be good workers" to be
present at the committee meeting, pre-
supposes the consideration of questions
or interests that properly belong to the
primary meetings and the Convention
The Committee, by the nature of its
| trust, is invested only with delegated
powers as it relates to the Convention.
There can be, indeed, no question prop
erly laid before it, that it would not be
better for the people, in their primary
emblages, or the Convention when it
assemblies, to consider and determine. In
view of the fact that there is dissension
in the party; that there are opposing
views as to the present plan OF Organiza-
| ton, and that there is state of things
BILE that full and fair reflection of tie
sentiment of the party would find ex-
preston at the suggested conference, we
think it would be wiser for simply the
committee to meet and issue the call for
! the Convention in such form and with
such conditions as would invite fair and
! full expression of the views of all Repub
licans in the primary meetings. If it is
! the purpose to make contest for the con-
! troll of the State government this is abso
lutely essential. The Committee and it's
Invited guests may resolve what they
| please, but they should remember that
there are hundred and fifty thousand
Republican voters in the State who stand
in the back ground and are in no humor
to submit to any infringement of their
rights, or usurpatiOn of their power. If
it is the purpose to place full Republi-
can ticket in the field, those who may
constitute it must have the endorsement
of the people in the manner and form OF
their selection, fairly and fully expressed
i'm the delegates who may be chosen to
represent them. The nomination of
ticket by machine methods and the ma
nipulation of primaries in the interest
of this or that aspirant, regardless of the
wishes of the people, and in contraven-
ton of their choice, would result in
nothing but disaster. We speak advised
ly when we say that the Republicans of
Virginia will submit to no arbitrary meth
DDS and no questionable means at any
stage of the proceedings from the prima-
ries to the final action of the Convention,
in the selection of candidates for State Of
fees or the Legislature. They do not
intend that any cut-and-dried ticket
shall be thrust upon them. Whether it
is called State Central Committee or
an assemblage of especially selected par
tizans, or packed primaries, their action
and propositions must be responsive to
public sentiment and in Difference to the
will of the people.
By the observance of this spirit, har-
mony can be secured in the party, and
with harmony and earnest cooperation
the Republicans can carry the State and
be advanced to the control of the State
government. But ON the contrary, if
spirit of fairness and respect for the peo-
pie are not consulted and practiced, such
a defeat will follow, as never before be-
fell party in Virginia. 1t is in the spir
it of admonition that we give expression
to this opinion, and not to provoke con-
troversy or incite antagoaisms 1t is in
the power of the Republicans to succeed
ia November next, if the proper means
are invoked to that end. The response
bility for the result will have to rest upon
those who may assume to give direction
to the canvass and its preliminary prep
arations. If they are considerate of
what is due to the people the campaign
can be SO shaped as to almost assure sue
cess. If they are not. then they will
have to bear the reproach that comes
from defeat, when victory was in their
grasp.