Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-05

<pEtINI &NNN ~
rhe Roanoke Evening world says that
IN. Dispatch has put cut "a htlle ieeie'
- tho question Of ignoring the consul
,ntiooal convention proposition al S'au"-
ION and postponing the matter ior
.,..,,l convention OF Democrats after the
,,,c.identiaI campaign" And 1t pioceeus
80 saw. further. that "our irienus OIL inc
Dlspatch were very earnest adNoOa''S y.
endorsement at stanton when tne oiN
WAS passed." and asks what has come
over the spirit Of their dreams that they
.houl1 even intimate such a thins as
nassing this question by uEnoticed III any
preat gathering OF Democrats Iheh
the World states its position as follows;
.eyye owe II 10 the Democratic majority
NJ M. LEGISLATURE TO endorse its action
and resent the absurdly false charges OF
,be Republican party at the earliest pos
sihle opportunity.
..ro Ignore this matter would put the
nartv I'm n bad light, do injustice TO the
legislature. and weaken the cause OF
constitutional reform IL might be We1l'
however. for the stanton convention 10
stou at an endorsement IN as general
terms as an answer TO the Republicans
III,
lining the policy Of the party as TO con-
stitutional changes 20 special conVen-
ton"
Tbe World is, Of course, at liberty Us
sneak of our suggestion as "a niue
feeler' IL 1t likes. but II Is not correct
for il to say that we would have the
state Democratic Convention pass by the
constitutional question "unnoticed." on
the contrary. We would have our state
convention answer the false charges of
the State Republican Convention; not
ignore them. Next, we would have our
convention decide whether IT VIII then
and there further consider the constitu-
tional convention question, or Will refer
II TO a special State Democratic conven-
ton. TO be held after the presidential
election
The sort OF constitutional convention
that the Dispatch wishes is thorough
paced. out-and-out Democratic conven-
ZION. We cannot but fear that If the
unit rule Is adopted at stanton I'm de-
nsnce oil the wishes and protests of a
considerable number of delegates, the
harmony OF our party in this State VIII
he very seriously disturbed. once so dis
tarbed. there is mo telling how
long IL will take TO restore the harmony
thar we have 80 successfully cultivated
ana maintained for a decade or more.
Hence, we suggest that if we have trouble
nj stanton it might be better 10 refer
the constitutional convention question to
a special convention than to attempt to
discuss II there whilst mems minds are
inhamed by passion, and whilst sharp
lines are drawn on the currency question.
For the people TO order constitutional
convention would require a united Demo-
cratic vote. We all know that the Re
publican vote will be thrown solidly
against the proposition.
IL the State Democratic Convention is
harmonious, and will give the time ne
oossary TO the discussion Of the constitu-
tional convention question. we say let
ii proceed with that work. But, on the
othor hand. il the delegates have been
worked up TO fever-heat on account OF
the unit-rule discussion or from any other
cause, OF If they are impatient to get
back 10 their homes, or if they incline TO
Tie opinion that the constitutional con-
Vcntlon question has not been sufficiently
discussed before the people, why, 1t would
seem that the State Democratic Conven-
ton could 10 nothing better than refer
the subject 10 a new convention for fur
thor consideration. But in any event
Ne repeat, the convention OF June 4th
should answer the false charges brought
hy the state Republican Convention.
our friend Of the Roanoke World must
admit that at the county meetings now
being held 10 elect delegates to our State
convention little is being said with
reference 70 the calling OF constitutional
convention. We think the World viii at
least concede that the Dispatch is entitled
10 credit for stirring up" the people on
this subject Too little attention is being
given H.. Discussion now may shorten
discussion at stanton. and will certainly
enable those who are to be delegates to
the State convention 10 get the advice Of
their constituents. and thus become better
qualihcd TO deal with the subject wisely
and we'll
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