Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-09-07
Fec. Tbouaht-A Montgomery '""-
yeutfOn.

.,,rsa,,inc the Democrats OF Virginia
not TO divide this year upon the s,Nei
question. nor upon any other issue "iic"
,vul not be involved in the current cam
IT,, we have been moved by an earnest
desire TO preserve the integrity OF 'he
,i,,e.honored Democratic party, ana so 10
oorserve the best and highest interests
OF the people at large.
The Montgomery Convention OF lhurs-
dov last. held to nominate a CANDIDATE
for the House of Delegates, IN irahihs
a pIatform hit upon a phrase "h'e"
e,rnbasizes in a few words one or the
considerations which we have placed be-
fore the public. That convention says that
"independence Of thought Is one oil the
necullar characteristics OF the Demo-
cratic party. and one which has mace
{, nre-eminently the peoples party. ms
,,denendence Of thought is exactly what
we have pleaded for in other words. we
can see for ourselves that the silver ques-
ton is one upon which much stress Is
laid by many good Democrats in virginia
az the same time that we can foresee
oven now that the Democratic National
Convention Of next year VIII not dec'are
for the free coinage Of silver at the ratlo
Of IS TO l.
The Montgomery Convention did not
content Itself with declaring for indie
rendence OF thought in the Democratic
,arty but went on to Indicate some or
the questions which that body thought
ought 10 be left for the national cam
paign Of next year. Presuming that there
il a wide but honest difference Of opinion
amongst many members OF the Democrat
lc marty on the financial questions Of the
day. which our enemies are striving to
make a means OF serious discord in our
ranks, and promising also that all such
questions are questions for national and
Federal legislation, that convention in
serted the following plank in its plat
form:
Resolved, That this convention deems II
it's duty TO give notice OF warning and
caution to all who are or will be engaged
in the coming campaign, not In any way
10 allow themselves TO be drawn into a
DISCUSSION OF lUt SO-Ndittb SiiN'A fN''NAS''i
or any other issue which belongs strictly
10 national politics, or any act of Federal
legislation or administration policy. This
is strictly a State campaign, for State
and not for Federal purposes, and we
point with becoming pride to the admin
istration of the State Government by the
Democratic party, and defy Its opponents
to point to a single promise or pledge
made by the Democratic party which IL
has not redeemed and performed.
To prove that it said what it meant.
the Montgomery Convention Smoked
OUT Malone and charged him as fol-
lows:
Resolved, That We are opposed to the
schemes Of William Malone and his new
Republican party 10 so change the laws
of our State as to give them an oppor-
tunity to overthrow the proper govern
ment Of the grand old State Of Virginia.
Resolved. That we repudiate the senti-
ment and emphaticaly deny the charge
that the present laws of our State were
enacted by their trainers to defraud the
people of their elective franchise or that
they have been instrumental 10 that end
and that though they may need amend
ment 20 make them more strictly con-
form to the wishes OF the people, We
prefer that the work OF amendment shall
be done by representative men and in the
interests OF the Commonwealth.
The Montgomery Convention endorsed
the nomination Of a sound-money man for
the Senate in the Fourth District. also
the nominee OF It's own selection, and also
Hon. John w. Daniel 10 be his own sue
cessor.
Altogether. the signs from Southwest
Virginia are most encouraging. Let the
Democrats throughout Virginia follow the
good example set them by the Montgom-
| cry Convention, and leave for 1896 the
work Of 1896. and all will be well in our
grand old party.