Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-05-17
The Democratic state Convention.

DAY after tomorrow there will assemble
IN convention IN this city the representa-
tives OF the people OF Virginia. The stare
Convention Of the Democratic party Will
be in one sense the people themselves,
representing so large proportion, as ~
will, Of what constitutes a state" we
have no wish to spenk disrespectfully OF
our Republican opponents, and we have
not intended to do so, and do not INTEND
do 90. We must, however, be permitted
to cay that the party which can boast that
1t represents nearly all the white people OF
the Commonwealth must be far superior
70 the one which has TO acknowledge tnat
nearly all the negroes belong to 1t. water
cannot rise higher than its source. nor
party be better than the men who compose
It.
Will this great Democratic convention
this representative body OF the bone ana
sipew, the wealth. culture, and states
manship of virginia-prove itself equal to
the occasion which has called for its as
sembling? viii 1t represent truly the IN
telligent, far-seeing statesmanship-state
craft-which has always been the inherit
ance of the people of this State! We know
of no reason for doubling that the men OF
today will show that they are worthy sons
of illustrious sires, filed with patriotic
fervor, and feeling sensibly the response
b,lity which rests upon them as the heirs
of the great trust which has been commit
ted TO their custody and placed at their
disposal.
But what can this convention OF repre-
sentative yirginians do? What duties will
ii be called upon to perform! 1t will be
expected to send to Chicago delegates who
rannot be swerved from their firm pur-
pose to do what is right by the blandish-
nents of Tammany nor by the plausibili-
lies of Tammsny's rivals. So far as this
rity is concerned, the two divisions OF the
Democratic party seem to concur In the
opinion that the delegates TO Chicago
pucht to be left free to support there
either the man who has here seemed to
lhem TO be the one best qualified to bear
lhe banner of Democracy to victory next
November, or O man to be fixed upon after
shev reach Chicago and commune with
their brethren from all parts OF the Union.
MANY considerations are presented at
the seat of national convention-many
things reyealed-which. strange as 1t may
appear, are either not revealed elsewhere
lor else make no impression when revealed
elsewhere. Flying reports are one thing.
Positive assurances from reliable men who
know whereof they speak constitute
another sort Of thing.
The country delegates to our State con-
Nention will also come uninstructed so far
as majority of them are concerned. At
least that is what we expect them to do.
We do not think there can be any reason
10 doubt that the people of Virginia are
DESTROYS of securing the nomination for
President of Q man who can be elected.
The simple question to be decided is, Who
IA the man that con be elected? Point
him out to the delegates to the Virginia con-
rsntion or to the Virginia delegates to the
chicago convention and they will not hest
hate moment in declaring for him. 1t Is
the uncertainty as TO who can be elected
That "giyes us pause" All of US dread
nm irreparable mistake. We shall have but
pne opportunity afforded us to select a
nominee who will prove successful. One
choice will make or mar our fortunes.
Though we shed tears fast as the Arabian
trees their medicinal gums" we shall find
thst fate binds us IN ohains which cannot
be broken-that is, after We shall have
made the one choice spoken OF.
The delegates to the Virginia convention
will come together. We trust. with fixed
purpose to do whatever may commend IT.
self to their highest judgment. No pre-.
1udices nor preferences should be allowed
10 come between them and the perform
ence Of the high duty which has been de-
volved upon them. We are not without
hone that q Democrat will be elected
President next November.