The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-06-06
STATE DEnocnAT1o cosvENr1os

The Virginia State Democratic Com
vention. which met and transacted bust.
ness and adjourned at Staunton Thurs
day was overwhelmingly for free coin
age OF silver, at the ratio of 16 TO l.
BY vote OF 2 to It ADOPTED the unit
rule. by which the chairman OF the
Virginia delegation is directed to "cast
the entire vote of the State of Virginia
In the Chicago Convention on all que.,-
lions as a majority of its delegates may
determine" This was the conclusion
reached after the delegates recommends
ed by the Second District had declared
to the convention that. II elected, and
required to vote under instructions,
they would not hesitate to disregard the
Instructions of the convention and by
their vote give expression to the voice
Of their district.
The adoption Of the unit rule was an
innovation on the established custom Of
Virginia Democracy. The controlling
element OF the Staunton Convention
saw fit to make THE change. They did
not hesitate to Michiganize the vote OF
one of '.he districts of the State. Upon
them rests the responsibility. 1t is but
Just to give credit to 'th> leaders of the
silvertes of the Second district. Mar
shall Tyler. Parker. Boykin and others.
who earnestly protested against the ac-
ton of the majority of the convention.
Their voice was unheeded. The record
has been made, and 1t remains to be
seen If Virginia Democrats in the future
will mot rectify the wrong of throttling
and SURPRISING the sovereign voice Of q
district.
Aside from this feature OF the conven-
ton was the speech of Senator Martin.
Cold type cannot describe his bitter ut
tack on President Cleveland, whom he
denounced, asserting that III the present
executive of the United States has du-
ring his career earned a reputatSo for
any one thing. It was for being q party
wrecker." A remarkable declarhtion,
when It is considered that Grover Cleve-
land has been the first Democratic
President in over thirty years, and that
he carried the standard of Democracy
twice to glorious victory. 1t has taken
long time for the junior Senator from
Virginia TO conclude. by the uhterance
OF an opinion, ito let the people OF Vir-
ginia know where he stood either on
the silver Issue, or in his attitude to the
| administration. 1t Will take a much
longer time for the Virginia Democracy
to forget It.
There was another noticeable feature
connected with the Staunton Conven-
ton. and that was the unquestioned de-
termination of the Democracy of Vir-
ginia to support the nominee of the
Chicago Convention. Congressman
fuckers able speech was earnest, patri-
otto, full OF the true spirit of Democ-
racy. and in marked contrast with that
OF Senator Martins. There was no deny
ing the fact that Senator Daniel was
the leading spirit. and the ovation he
met with was of character that could
not but impress him with the hold he
has upon the affections and minds of
the great body OF Virginia Democrats.
\ lie was the inspiration of the conven-
ton. He controlled its action by
the confidence of those whom his PEP
sonal magnetism Influences so that they
look to him as trusted leader. whose
plume they are always ready to follow.