Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-09
LET USAGE RULE.

The Norfolk Landmark thinks IL ~ eFi-
dcnt that no power can prevent the dis-
c,ssion OF the financial question In the
state Democratic Convention, ana that
II IS equally evident that unless the deie-
gates 70 TO the convention Determined
10 keep cool and be self-contained' acrl-
monious debate will be precipitation. Inc
Landmark believes, with the Dispatch'
that blmetalism is impracticable WITHOUT
international agreement, and holds that
unlimited coinage Of silver under present
conditions would be against the best IN
terests OF the country. 1t is not. however
intolerant of the views OF those VINO
differ with It, and also joins the Dlspatch
in according TO these differing members
Of the party-many Of whom are, and are
entitled 10 be, readers in our counsels-
honesty of conviction and purity OF pur-
nose. our Norfolk contemporary recog-
r,zos as we do. that neither side 10 the
issue on the currency question can aHoru
or should essay to ignore the otner' out
that both should labor to avoid anything
like a wrangle In the convention tha'
would produce feeling. An attempt 10
adopt the unit rule would. 1t says. pro-
woke unnecessary irritation, particularly
as we are not accustomed TO that methou
of representation in the national conVeh-
ton. 1t, therefore, contends that the saie
path is to allow every delegate free eH-
pression of his views on the currency
question. and let the majority in the state
- ,onvaeanfa1 nv DrOnOr-
tionate majority in the national Dody'
Thus IL argues the stronger side would
have exactly what it was entitled to, ana
the minority could not say 1t had not
been treated with due consideration.
The Landmarks contention Is inspired
by the best motives, but Il resort to the
method of representation in the national
convention il suggests would involve as
great a violation of Virginia Democratic
usage as would the adoption of the unit
rule, and be hardly less calculated 10 pro-
woke irritation. Our custom is Tor the
delegates 10 the State convention from
each congressional district TO name two
district delegates to the national con-
vention. the State convention as a whole
naming the four delegates at large.
We are satisfied that the object the
Landmark has in view-the prevention OF
bitterness and the securing of harmony
in the State convention-can be attained
without the invasion of any time-honor-
ed custom. All we have TO do TO tnat END
is TO take the right steps IN the begin
ning-that is, in the meetings and cleo
lions held for choosing delegates TO the
body. Let us see 10 IL that the delegates
sent to Stanton from every city ana
county whether they be ''Silverites' or
"Goldites," are the best and most con-
sentative men in their respective COM
munities-men free from intolerance or
the opinions OF those who do not agree
with them. If this shall be done, we
need have no fear that the discussion in
the convention on the currency or any
other question will prove detrimental 10
the harmony of the party, or that when
the delegation to Chicago shall have been
made uD there will be any friction be-
tween majority and minority. Let US
elect men TO the State convention who
will steadfastly adhere TO party usage and
Loyalty accept any results such adherence
may entail That is true Democratic doc
trine and practice. In a departure from
these there is more danger of serious
friction than in anything else.