Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-06-06
Our CONVENTION.

Among the men who were Of the mi
nority of the stanton convention. we
find few "kickers" With remarkably
rare exceptions they have accepted the
results Of the convention gracefully, ana
their influence will extend, we trust, TO
the large body Of home-stayers VINO alb
scented themselves from the Democratic
primarios rather than commit themselves
n abide the issues of the stanton ana
Chicago conventions.
In our Judgment, the adoption or the
unit rule by our party was a mistake
and we are equally sure that it was IN
necessary. The majority have gained
only two votes by 1t; votes which they
could well have spared at Chicago, and TO
secure which they have introduced new
practice into post-bellum Virginia poll
tics. The cause of free silver in Virginia
would have been better served, and party
harmony would have been promoted IL
the majority had allowed the Norfolk
District to cast its two votes as the
Democrats OF that gallant district wished
them 20 be cast. Such an act of Justice
or. call It magnanimity. IL you will
would have removed nearly every trace
of the ferceness of our recent strife.
The majority was i'll at case on this
question, and dealt with it in hesi-
Eating manner. showing, we think, that
they themselves doubted whether 1t would
be good policy TO alter the old rule.
First. wo heard from 1.-THE Steering Com
snittee" that the unit rule would not
he insisted upon; next. the Committee ON
Resolutions reported in favor OF instruc-
lions, and this was agreed TO, and, mt
last--after the Norfolk men had been
heard-came the Swanson resolution The
convention being now determined upon
its course, nothing better than the Swan
son resolution could have been agreed
upon. It, at least allows the two Soldite
delegates from the Norfolk District 10
Keep their personal records straight by
voting in the Virginia delegation against
free silver, though the twenty-four votes
of Virginia will be voted and recorded
An the Chicago convention as the majority
OF the twenty-four may determine.
In the apportionment Of minor places,
The greater number OF the delegations
were fairly considerable OF the minority.
When the Otoy circular came out the MI
nority thought they Were TO be given no
show" at all, but potent leaders OF the
free-silver men saw that such course
would be unjust ana might DO fatal to
their own cause, and they counseiled
different course We cannot but believe
from what we know OF the temper Of in
fiuential leaders Of the majority that IL
hold
I'm such a rush" ana excitement more
of these places would have been awarded
10 the minority.
There never was any question about the
wish of the convention TO retain the ser
vices Of Chairman Ellyson. 1t was known
to- be the purpose OF Major Daniel TO
place Mr.. Ellyson in nomination, but Mr..
Ellyson was not ready 10 signify his pur-
pose TO accept the position He has con-
Quoted five great campaigns 10 triumphant
issue, and he is man weighted with
business engagements. and so he thought
ne might well ask TO be excused from
further service as Chairman. But there
were protests from both sides. and with
his assent the matter was referred TO the
State Committee for action. by the way,
in this the convention reverted TO an Old
custom. For long time our party chair
man was elected by the State Committee,
not by the State convention.
We doubt If the public generally has
noticed that the Stanton platform dis
oountenances third term for Mr. Cleve-
land or any other man. Who knows but
that this may cause the President TO
make u dellverance upon the subject? II
he is TO speak at all before the meeting
OF the Chicago convention we doubt il he
will have better opportunity to DO so
than this presents; but II may be that he
will prefer TO recognize an out-giving or
inquiry from Il more friendly quarter.
II cannot be denied that our State con-
MENTION was hostile 10 the President The
applause that followed Senator Martins
criticism OF the President was proof OF
this. True. there were Kisses mingled
with the cheers. but the latter largely
overbalanced the former
We think the conventions grievance
against the President was chiefly on ae-
count Of his position on the currency
question. That and the course OF the ad-
ADMINISTRATION with reference TO the Black
burn contest in Kentucky are standing
complaints Of the Virginia free-sIlverltes
against Cleveland and Carlisle.
We find some variations in the news
paper reports Of Mr. Martins speech as to
what he said about his position on the
currency question. but the best informa-
: ton that we have 10 that he declared he
had always been IN favor Of the rsstosa-