Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-29
TEE HALIFAX RESOLUTIONS.


Tho Democrats of Halifax county, WINE
heartily declaring in favor of the free
coinaRe of silver at the ratio OF 10 70 l.
INDEPENDENTLY of the action OF any othe'
country, oppose the adoption Of the unit
rule by the state Democratic Convention
Thus the Democrats of Halifax are with
Senator Daniel on the coinage question
but not with him on the question OF aoro-
eating our old rule in favor Of the amt
rule.
We hope that the example OF Halifax
county will be followed by all the otner
counties and cities Of Virginia. That the
free-silver men will have the majority IN
our State convention we think extremely
likely. but because they have the power
there there is no necessity for their using
IL. especially when to do so would not
strengthen, but weaken, our party. YES
we undertake to say without fear of sue
cessful contradiction that the adoption OF
the unit rule at our State convention
would not gain the Democratic party oil
Virginia one single vote at the November
election. whereas the probability is that
IL would lose us thousands OF votes. IN
deed, 1t might create a breach in our
party ranks which would lose us the
State.
We do not argue that the free-silver men
have not the right 10 adopt such rule
should they control the convention. but
we insist that it would be unbrotherly for
them TO do so, and that IL would be the
worst sort OF party policy. Our people
well remember the crisis which confronted
as when the State convention met here
four years ago. The Cleveland men as
serted very boldly that the majority OF
the delegates was with them; but this the
antl-Cleveland delegates did not admit.
However. Chairman Basil b. Gordon, him.
self a Cleveland man, and one of those
who we're thoroughly convinced that
(. Cleveland had the convention, saw the
danger OF a split, and called conference
n three leaders from each side.
Mr.. Gordon said to this committee OF
cancellation that he did not wish to con-
tinue as chairman of a divided party. and
ne suggested that a compromise be made
as 10 the four delegates for the State at
large. AS to the delegates elected by con-
gressioral districts, we believe it was
never claimed by any one that they should
be Instructed by resolution of the con-
vention.
AT first some of the Cleveland men
would only concede their opponents one
out OF the four delegates for the State at
large; but finally an equal division OF
these delegates was agreed upon.
. And so what promised TO be turbulent
convention became a very smooth one.
Now suppose that instead Of Mr..
Gordon's going in for COM
promise he had urged that the
Cleveland men, or the anu-Cleve-
land men, should pass a resolution sin
structing'' the delegates from Virginia TO
the National Democratic Convention Ito
vote as a unit on ali questions" that
might come before that body. What a
row. there would have been in the con-
yentioni Whew But wisdom, prudence.
and brotherliness guided the convention
of four years ago, and the result was that
we had harmony in our State. and that
why disturb this harmony? Is it likely
that the Virginia vote will control the
National Democratic Convention? Is II
likely that such action as Is proposed will
add vote to our party strength when we
40 10 the polls at the November election?
No: no one can say that IL will Then
why imperil our prospects2 What good
/. ~
will IL DO the Democratic party7 None
at all. The possibilities Of evil are great;
the possibilities OF good are innniteslmal.
We commend the action OF the Demo
Gratis OF Halifax for another reason-yiz
that II WIN encourage Democrats OF ali
opinions on the curreSty question 20 at
tend the primaries. 1t would hardly be
expected that those who are opposed to
the free coinage OF silver would take
mucn interest in the elecsion Of delegates
10 the State convention II IL were APP
parent that the free silvcrtes would use
their power In the State convention 10 in
siruct all the delegates 10 the National
Democratic Convention 10 vote for free
coinage. such a.iisnas S"s,<egld keep away
from the faenary me, apany good
pemefass who are not IN eFor Of free
eolnsge. And these men separated
from US in the outset Of he campaign.
might remain apathetiG6 aufing the rest
81 the campaign.
a In The county meetings the coinage
question and the unit-rule question absorb
attention TO the exclusion OF the matter
bf candidates for the presidency and the
sons,itutIonai-conyeniiop question. As 20
this last we find that not few men OF
prominence In our party are inclined TO
ponder whether II would not he we'll 70
cal special State Democratic eonsen-
ION. TO assemble 10 March, 1897, 10 con-