Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-27
WEDNESDAY,. MARCH 81. 1895.
Wishes Of the virginia Democracy.


tn Norfolk Landmark says that no
authority will be assumed by the Roa-
noke conference Of May eth 10 dictate
anything: and that its purpose is merely
70 consult. land perhaps TO pass resolu-
fions advising the calling Of a Democratic
convention for the purpose Of petitionins
fhs General Assembly 10 can constitu-
fionaI convention" This conference. the
landmark further says. will undoubtedly
fake into consideration the many reasons
which present themselves for the calling
Of a constitutional body. and may for
mulate them as "A mater Of Information.
nnd for the purposes Of discussion among
the people who viii eventually have 70
pass upon the new Constitution when II
IS ready for adoption Then IL a party
convention should be called, that body
could make moro formal and definite
pronunciation Of the wishes Of the VIZ
Einia '-...., 'racy, and state more in de-
n ', ,.' Of revision in the funda-
tnar'a - The Landmark thinks that
'this n"tnod of bringing the subject
Up ana 70 a final set,l ment Is eminently
wise and practical and We therefore en-
dorss the Roanoke movement. AM hope
THE conference viii b. we'll att nlc1."
We. too desire to see tn conference
well attend "a. ard We trust that tn
question Of constitutional convention
Mll be fully and ably discussed. But we
should not think that it would be wise
g. demand that state Democratic con-
Nention De called this year "for The rur-
pos, Of retitlonlng the General Ass mbly
e. call constitutional convention
Let the conference say what it has 70
Day IN favor Of holding constitutional
convention. ana leave the rest 10 th.
democratic members OF the next General
Hss -mbly. There are enough side-issues
already dividing the Democrats Of Viz
rinia. without our wishing a state Demo-
cratic convention TO Ice he'd 10 make an
other. 80. th's constitutional-conven
question is matter, (which. for the pres
ent at least. would better Doe fought out
1n each county and city. Then. when the
General Assembly m cts IN December.
our senators and delegates can have
conference and decide as 10 whether the
time is oppostuuc for submitting TO the
lotr rs the question OF calling constl;u-
t.onai convention.
The Dispatch favors a constitutional
convention. ami has done so for many
year. In our judgment. numerous
changes in our Constitution are demanded.
but We must be careful how we enter
4. Oh that work. We must choose a fn-
Gay and fairly smooth water for launch
Ing our ship. else she may be sunk as
soon as she touches the water. or may be
Driven out TO sea before the proper sort
% pilot and crew have gotten aboard.
We find that many men are impatient
60 express themselves on this constitu-
tiona,-cOnv ntlon question. Some are for
the convention; some are against It. But
We doubt not that at least one half of
The former number are opposed to forcing
the question 10 an issue while our party
IN this State is embarrassed by several
other questions of much importance.
The suggestion Of the Landmark that
there viii be a proposition made at Roa-
7oke TO ask for "a State Democratic CON
Sention makes 1t more than ever import
ant that the conference should be well
attended by representative men OF the
etalwart Democracy. We must make
haste slowly. We ought to feel the
ground under our feet well before taking
any decisive step a great responsibility
rests upon those Democrats of Roanoke
who have called this convention. and they
ought TO see to II as far as possible that
the proceedings are marked by wise fore
thought and great conservatism.
We want the Roanoke conference to
be that sort OF success that when II is
over the general verdict viii be that It
has done good-thAi 1t has helped the
party as "A whole while II has forwarded
I'm judicious manner. the special object
eor which 1t was called. That the gentle
men who 80 10 Roanoke to attend the
conference VIII have "a good time" we
feel sure. II is one of the best "conven-
tion cities" that wsk now of. The Roa-
hokers are hustlcrs In hospitality, as in
business.