Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1899-05-05
FRIDAY, MAY ), 1899.
The May Convention Aqql1.
The Alexandria Gazette saws.

to amend the u. S. Constitution
were ordered by the Democratic
party, he would probably attend
II, but that as it is not he will not
DO SO. ibis is exactly right, and
with 1t every good and true Vir-
glnla Democrat will agree. No
party should expect to prosper
that has party within itself Those
who may attend the proposed meet
Ing have an indisputable right to
10 so, out no intelligent Virginia
democrat entertains the idea that
he Will be bound by anything thew
may do or say. The assembl age
VIII not be a Democratic conven
tIon, and wise Democrats, with the
good of their party at heart. will
take no part in its proceedings.
The above extract voices the
sentiments of a majority of the
Democrats in this section and also
OF this paper. The convention to
be held in Richmond is ill-timcd
ana unfortunate. 1t may be, that
IN the evolution of governmental
affairs that U S. Senators NAV be-
and ought to be elected by the
people, Though nothing is clearer
now than that this was not the
primal object in the minds of the
orlglnatorS of this convention) but
why should Virginia take the lead
III agItating this question at this
time, when the party in the State
Is harmonious and strongl The
action of these May convention
people is an implication upon the
honesty and integrity of Virginia
legislatures. 1t is implied, that
heretofore they have been bought
and controlled by corporations and
trusts, and as representatives of the
people have failed to carry out the
wishes of the people and are not
TO he trusted. If this move had
arisen at this time in some other
State where recent trouble and nm.
mlstakable evidence of fraud and
bribery have become notorious
there would be not so much canse
Tor wonder. Have the Senators of
Virginia heretofore held their high
office through bribery? Do the
present incumbents occupy their
seats by the Will of the people or
nave the legislatures-the peonle's
representatives been bribed. or
bought like cattle in the market
We repel these nsinuations there
by made upon the Senate and |
House of representatives. We
point with pride to the history of
these bodies, from the formation
OF the State to this good hour. and
say with truth that there has new
er been more friction than was
naturally incident to the filling of
OF 50 Important ali office. Whv
otherwise, then, we ask again
should Virginia borrow trouble
aud create strife when there is
neither trouble nor strife, but bar.
monyand strength within ourranksg
Again; 1t is stipulated distinc-
~ that tuoSe who "are in sympa.
thy with the purposes oftbe Nav
meeting are invited to take part /
~ the convention, and only these. 5
None others will lie admitted il
II patriotic desire to promote fl
1ne welfare of the people prompted a
ChiS move why was the call notissn. p,
3D. to all Democrats in the Sta.ein L
order that full and free discussion e,
might be had? Instead. only those 81
VINO "favor the purpose of the con. Il
are invited-a convention 50
called without and beyond party 90
And this is called m
representative meetingl The \,
ruin Is this meeting will represent to to
only faction, and a veal ON 90 al
htaf o..
'""'' out strong enough, We fear
70 sur up strife and bad blood. 70 9
Ine disaster of the party in tho in
go we are now, as party, tn
dis ord, and at peace: a an
great struggle is before rs nov. s s;l
'ear' anu in view of all these
'hings We wonder at the lack Of -
isdom displayed in thrusiino >,
MS way, this question upon ms NJ R,
kio w =.