Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-06
CONFERENCE RESPONSIBILITY.

on Wednesday next the eyes of the
country will be fixed upon Virginia with
more interest and earnestness than in
many years. on that day the May con-
ference will meet. on that day, the 10th.
there will be a gathering here of Demo-
Gratis from all sections of the State for
'the purpose of adopting such measures
as may be deemed best to promote the
election of senators of the United States
BY the direct vote of the people. and. until
that result is accomplished, the selection
of party senatorial candidates 10y some
popular method"
so far as is concerned the result sought
petent TO elect senators by the direct vote
of the people. the movement is local TO
Virginia. But there its local character
terminates. From that point it represents
q great reform, that has ardent sympa-
lhizers roughout the length and breadth
OF the 1Tl From that point 1t Droa1eIs
out into fight in behalf of the masses of
the country for the maintenance of the
great principle which underlies our whole
system of government, and which IS
''trust the people"
That this is true is shown by the fact
that rarely has a meeting been called in
Virginia that has attracted so much at
tention outside of the State, from both
the press and the people. Much that has
been written and said in Virginia about
the conference and its aims has become
current North, South. East, and West
And what is particularly noticeable is
that the articles from Virginia papers On
the conference that have been given the
widest circulation are those that claim
that Virginia has assumed the leadership
in the struggle.
II this means anything. it means that
the country looks TO Virginia for leader
ship in this matter. and is willing TO ac-
cord her that position. 1t means that The
star of her influence in shaping the desti
MES OF the country is recognized as benl
again in the ascendency. 1t also means
that faith in the people as the guardian!
and prcservers OF our institutions is lie
asserting itself throughout the Union, wit
@ strength that sooner or later will SWEEP
out all opposition to trusting he peo
pie" 1t means that the principle o
making United States senator's airectl,
amenable TO the voters Is as much GER
tainty of the near future as the dawn o
the 10th of May.
In respect OF numbers. intelligence, ar,
representative character the comm,
gathering promises to rank with any SIN
liar meeting that has been held I'm IN,
Commonwealth in several decades Dali,
evidences OF the popularity of the objects
of the conference increase. and daily 1
becomes more apparent that its character
as was designed. is going TO partakc o
that OF a great massmeeting. But. II
order TO measure up to the responsible,
that will rest upon II in the matter O
holding the leadership for Virginia in IN
cause OF trusting the people," and ii
ORDER to meet the expectations of TIT
country at large. 1t should, In all the fea
lures referred 10, eclipse any previous
popular State assemblages. And It VII
eclipse them If. between now and tn
eventful day. the day So pregnant viii
history-making possibilities for Virginia
all Virginians who favor the objects tn
conference would attain. and who cal
attend Il, rise TO a full appreciation o
their duty 10 their State and the sister
hood OF States, to the end that when tn
conference roll is called they will not b
marked absent.