Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-24
DnIHTe AND EEARs.

The Stanton Vindicator says mat II
any one had any doubt that Virginia
would hold a constitutional convention.
the overwhelming rush of free-silver dele
Gates TO the Democratic State ConVen-
ton would settle it," THE same deter
mination TO try something that may case
their financial condition, which Is EVIL
denced in their determination TO try the
free-silyer experiment" the Nindicator
thinks. will induce the people OF the
state 10 try a constitutional convention
which is not an experiment and winch
II their delegates TO II are OF the risht
sort will reduce their State and county
expenses sl9S2,coO."
We find a remarkable indisposition on
the part Of the press, party leaders, and
the public generally with few no
table exceptions in each class to dis
cuss the constitutional convention at all
Most people are fighting shy Of it. we
have made several efforts TO bring on
general engagement in the way or
discussion. but all in vain.
The reason for this backwardness In
the expression OF opinion is elear-the
Democrats OF Virginia do not know eX-
actly where" they "are at" They don |
know into what confusion our ranks may
be thrown by the presidential campaign.
Rut we beg to differ in opinion with
the indicator as to its main point-we
40 not think the free-silyerites are all
io favor OF constitutional convention.
For instance, Senator Daniel is believed
tn favor a constitutional convention
but we doubt not tina, his position is SINH
lar 10 the Dispatches. We are in favor
of calling a constitutional convention as
soon as we find the political conditions In
virginia favorable TO the election OF a
goodly majority of Democrats as members
Of that convention. When we chal-
lenee the enemy TO battle on this issue
we want to know that our party is as
nearly as possible agreed upon the con-
yention policy. Is this our situation now
II So we cannot see the evidence OF It,
but the contrary.
We do not blame the Legislature
for the action that It took last winter
hurried though 1t was; but we dare say
that II the Legislature were in session
now IL would take no such action. Why?
Because conditions have changed.
No man can foresee what may happen
~ our national organization during the
present campaign. No man can foresee
what may happen TO our Virginia organi-
cation II the stanton convention should
subordinate party harmony in this state
To considerations affecting the national
nIatform and ticket Hence, the minds
of many sincere and earnest advocates
Of a constitutional convention are filled
with doubts and fears as to what action
with respect to a constitutional conven-
ton our State Democratic Convention
would better take. We find that our peo-
pie are generally agreed that the
slanderous charges of the State Republi-
can convention should be denied and de-
nounced; but, beyond mat, all is dubiety
and uncertainty.
We submit that our view of the matter
is more correct than the indicators
Especially do we maintain that the cleo
ton of a great majority OF silver dele
gates to the Staunton convention does
not necessarily mean that our State con-
yention settles the question that Vir-
ginia win hold a constitutional conven-
ton